VQS now integrated with MYOB

Quoting technology

What makes the ultimate estimating system’

Why is it that most people in the industry seem to exchange negative comments about the system that they are presently using’ Repairer consultant Gavin McGahey from Boss Australia Services has some answers.
Let’s experience an estimating system from top to tail and see what we come up with.
The past five years has seen some incredible advancement in technology and this, in turn, has been passed on through software providers that are willing to explore the boundaries of what this technology has to offer. Digital media, e-commerce, parts on-line, and SMS messaging have all impacted the way we do business. We have the choice to either embrace it or ignore it. Whilst ignoring it may be safe, embracing it can place your business in a stronger position with your work providers.
The ultimate estimating system must be robust with its processes yet clear and simple for the end user. We must also remember that it isn’t just about the estimate. We need to be mindful of the integration into other software applications such as business to Business exchanges utilizing the likes of transfer products such as Stelvio, Arnie, and Smashlink.
The functionality of these products must be simple and quick. It must deliver to the end user an audit trail of communication that is easy to locate and interpret.
Through my years of training end users on better utilization of their estimating systems I have challenged them to focus on the 90 per cent of the product they really like and not burn their energy on the 10 per cent that may not meet their requirements. While software providers are open to suggestions for improvement of their product, to write a new feature into the application the developer must see the benefit to the majority of the client base as opposed to a small minority that may take up the change. To the end user this can become frustrating. It's better to get over it and get the best out of what you have available to you.
The greatest complaint that crosses me is the support (or lack of) from the helpdesk of the provider. This is one area that has continually been raised as a major concern for the client. You ask yourself are you getting value for money’ Why is the response time so slow’ Why do I have to pay multiple licences’ Don't they care about me and my needs’
I have experienced both sides of the fence here. I've seen lack of commitment from the end user to train and retrain staff to higher competency levels while expecting the system provider to do it all over the phone as part of the support agreement. And software providers that do not hold enough training classes or initiate training classes only to have to cancel them because of to poor enrolment numbers. The old adage of you get what you pay for is alive and well when it comes to estimating systems and their training.
I have also experienced end users that change to another provider only to become more disillusioned with the new product and change back to the one that they left.
We can only begin to understand just what systems can do for us when we take the time to analyse their strengths and weaknesses.
I recommend you run a SWOT analysis on your estimating system and then a SWOT analysis on staff using it. From there you can determine which of your needs are being met and which are not. If you feel that your provider is not meeting your expectations then draft a document bullet pointing what you believe are the system's failures and why. Also include what you really like about the application and why. Feedback is critical for all business, but being bombarded with negative criticism without acknowledging the positive benefit may only place your relationship with the system provider in a downward spiral.

A good estimating system must have the following critical components:
- Clear screen layouts.
- Easy to follow menus.
- Integrated digital imaging (Must be viewable with the estimate details).
- Simple export or import process.
- Clear and easy to read reports.
- Powerful accounting software.
- Accurate & up to date parts information.
- Quick multi user access.
- A help desk that really is a help desk.

We have seen big international estimating & management system players arrive on our shores with ambitions only to be sent packing within a couple of years. They did not research the demographics or the dynamics of the Australian market. Aussies don’t like the ‘we are, we can, you will’ approach that these players so often bring with them. Sure, their system may have offered some good features, but good features alone are not nearly enough.
Personally, I believe that there is a lot more that can be achieved through improved communications & better understanding of each others needs when it comes to the end user & the estimating system provider.
A new era for Vehicle Quoting System (VQS) has been heralded through a succession of innovative upgrades and releases, an example of which has been the integration of MYOB into the VQS package. Every process from quoting through to invoicing, balance sheet and indeed profit and loss is managed by MYOB. Apart from the saving on accounting costs, multiple entry of information has been eliminated resulting in huge time savings. "We have sought to provide clients a professional tool that will not only allow them to better understand their business, but will manage all financial components through one process, " promises managing director Tony Franco.
Franco, wants his clients to be confident that VQS is everything they expect it to be and more. His company's philosophy, he says passionately, "is to serve those who entrust us with their business process." He points out that nothing in VQS is developed without consulting with his clients.
Despite an emotive new campaign that stresses exceptional customer service for VQS clients, the ultimate goal is making VQS the smash repair industry's leading bodyshop professional management system. In basic form, VQS is cleverly set up to seamlessly expand from. It's a system that will grow with the business without upheaval. Those involved with using the product, be it quoting and/or accounting will experience no difference in operation. This even applies should the system be upgraded to VQS Professional.
In an industry where the catch cry is often 'time Is money' VQS dutifully offers a number of other innovative time saving tools which also have the benefit of accuracy. These include a parts system to be released in April 2006 which will utilise a parts database for some 380 models. Clients will be able to request the latest prices from the supplier system and be assured of a reply in under a minute. They will also have immediate access to pricing updates and benefit from quick and accurate quoting.
A Portable PC Tablet providing clients with wireless internet access enables them to take the system anywhere to do quotes and then transmitting them back to the workshop.
"VQS, is on a path to becoming the complete management information system, "Franco says. "It will continue to be designed to be better, simpler and more secure. With a number of innovative systems tools that are currently being developed and planned for release, the future for VQS, and more importantly our valued customers, is secure."
Enquiries, Tel: (02) 8884 9100.

FlexiQuote now offers tablets and parts prices
FlexiQuote, one of Australia's leading smash repair quoting packages has added an computer tablet to its list of optional extras.
Managing director Charles Lo says that while the personal data assistant (PDA) has been popular, and will still be available for those wanting a very small, light weight machine, the tablet can store and organise data with the capability of a computer. Add a wireless internet attachment and you can electronically send information to your base computer or to insurers and suppliers.
FlexiQuote offers its basic program for around $2,200 and can then add modules to suit the complexity required by the client. This can include, for example, special imaging software that will translate and send A recent addition is an online parts price list. The prices do not come from dealers but from a data supplier that keeps all parts prices updated, enabling them to be included in quotations without having to call around dealers and use up valuable time.
FlexiQuote's customer base now has around 900 users built since it began as a DOS package in 1994. In 1997 it took advantage of the availability of Windows and converted its users accordingly.
Jacqui Neilsen, general sales manager for FlexiQuote, believes that, apart from a excellent quoting system, her company wins on after sales service. Each new client gets on-the-spot training at the time of installation. That is backed by an operation manual and technical support on the phone.

PPG 'Access' offers efficient estimating
Like many aspects of the modern smash repair industry quoting (or estimating) has gone hi-tech making it vital that you choose a package which keeps your business at the forefront of technology, now and into the future.
In essence, that’s exactly what the PPG Access brand is aimed at providing. It comprises a team of in-house PPG experts that develop and deliver versatile, cutting edge software solutions to specifically meet the needs of the industry. And, one of the most popular products is Estimate Manager ‘ a powerful quoting tool that makes life easier and more efficient for body shops.
Importantly, it’s not a one-size-fits-all package. While the focus is on ease of use and efficiency there’s also a number of options and clever time-saving ‘short cut’ functions that can really speed up the data input process. What’s more, PPG Estimate Manager is easily personalised to suit your business by incorporating work provider standard times, your labour rate and other preferences.
With Estimate Manager it’s also simple to take advantage of the latest, new-age quoting technology offered by PPG’s Qsat and Tablet PC systems from PPG Access. Both are portable, powerful and user-friendly tools that allow you to quickly and easily input a quote at the vehicle, then seamlessly download it to the Estimate Manager system on the shop’s main computer. The quote is then ready to go with no double handling, transcribing or retyping of information ‘ think of the enormous time saving gains in that operation alone!
Whichever options you choose, the end result is an efficiently prepared electronic quote that’s ready to be emailed directly to the work provider via the internal Estimate Manager interface that links to most insurance companies. Should you run into any difficulties at any time throughout the process the friendly, expert staff at the PPG Access helpdesk are just a phone call away.
Another plus is the way Estimate Manager seamlessly interfaces with the shop’s main PPG Business Manager system. Once a quote is created the data is automatically transferred to the rest of Business Manager which allows you to create purchase orders for parts, create invoices to customers, produce electronic job management reports and update the general ledger accounts through creditors & debtors.
The final decisive advantage is that the PPG Access team isn’t prepared to rest on its laurels. As technology rapidly evolves it’s constantly refining current programs, while searching out the latest innovations that will lead to improved

Parts ‘ the heart of estimating
According to Car Quote, the most exciting development in recent times is the development of a low cost, large scale online parts database that can be used by Estimating systems such as Car Quote and others. The online parts database provides a comprehensive range of vehicle makes, models, and parts with their descriptions, part numbers, and of course their current price.
Although this is not a new development, 'CQ Parts' as used by Car Quote along with two other leading Australian estimating packages, can provide a highly cost effective link in real time to an online database of parts that is fully integrated into the estimating package, that have no connection or transaction fees.
The reason CQ Parts can provide the most up to date national database of parts with real time pricing, is because of a highly innovative automated technology that can extract manufacturers' pricing updates in real time. This data is then loaded into a quality assurance staging database prior to production release. There is no one double handling of the data which is manually entered into the database as with prior attempts at this solution. This technology is truly innovative.
What’s exciting is that CQ Times is soon to also be made available, where all repair and refinishing times per make, model, panel, and insurance firm will be available as well, providing a significant level of estimating accuracy and efficiency that can be seamlessly integrated into your estimate.
Prospective customers are invited trial Car Quote and CQ Parts.
Enquiries, Tel: 0419 389 235.

FoxQUOTE' release new program
FoxQUOTE 2005 Program’s new Service Pack Upgrade Release v4.00 has been released.
According to proprietor, Bruce Jones, FoxQUOTE’s upgrade policy works best for repairers because it delivers what they want. Jones uses the same approach with support/training services for his FoxQUOTE 2005 Program as he does with its program upgrades: buy it if and when you need it ‘ not before.
FoxQUOTE is already well into the development of it’s next Service Pack Upgrade Release v4.10 product and to this end has been working very closely with IAG. The product’s FoxORM 2005 plug-in module will support IAG’s new QDE ORM v3.0 online assessing system and is expected to be rolled out later this year. Furthermore, AAMI’s new online system, PNET is undergoing testing and will be supported in the new FoxPNET 2005 module. MTA’s new ‘real’ electronic times catalogue will also be integrated via the FoxMTA 2005 module. Repairers need to purchase only the upgrade modules required, not the whole lot.
FoxQUOTE has also been designing and developing the www.genuineparts.com.au product for quite some time and expects to announce its availability later this year to coincide with its v4.10 upgrade product.
www.genuineparts.com.au will be offered to users of other quoting systems as well.
Embedded into the design of www.genuineparts.com.au is additional support for vehicle and part specific labour (ie. R&R and Paint) times as well as the usual manufacturer part numbers and list prices.
It will communicate with a small, hand-held PDA-type machine. FoxQUOTE is standardising on the Hewlett Packard brand of PDA machine to link the repairer at the vehicle to the office FoxQUOTE 2005 Program via wireless network technology.
Enquiries, Tel: (02) 9580-3898.