WO2017063035A1 - Repair process and management system - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer enabled system for managing a repair process including: a means for having factors relevant to the repair recorded; wherein a scheduled repair has an identifying reference; and wherein the factors relevant to the repair are estimations of the repair time and cost, recordal of materials needed for the repair, quality testing of repairs performed.

Description

REPAIR PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Technical Field

[0001 ] The present invention generally relates to vehicle body repair management and tracking software.

Background Art

[0002] In the modern age vehicle accidents leading to vehicle body damage are common. Much of this damage requires repairs from panel beaters or other appropriately qualified vehicle body repair professionals. The organisation, management, scheduling and processing of repairs can involve several parties including the vehicle owner and insurance agencies.

[0003] Currently for many vehicle body repair businesses, their work comes from various insurance companies, businesses and private clients, which all operate differently and allocate work in different ways. Some insurers may wish to reserve time slots and book the assessments themselves into set time slots, whereas some may require the panel shop to contact the customer. The difficulty is not limited to booking cars in, it's also managing the different insurance companies and clients. To add to this every insurance claim involves a customer, who may also have requirements.

[0004] Currently, some vehicle repair businesses may not contact customers and instead let them come in when they want. If this is done a number of difficulties arise. Firstly customers may come in at the same time for an assessment, which can lead to inefficiency and higher non-productive staff costs. The second problem is a business may lose jobs. If a job is allocated to a business from an insurer and the business does not contact the client, the client may end up going to another business.

[0005] Some more organised vehicle repair businesses may have booked assessments for a repair quote manually into a diary, either physical or digital. Problems arise with these diaries as vehicle repair shops are often small with only one diary or without sophisticated computer networks. Consequently only one worker could book a repair appointment at one time as there would only be one reliable version of the diary available. [0006] Once this process was done and the client has come in for the assessment, the whole process had to be repeated when the car is booked in, into another manual diary.

[0007] Collating and organising the quotes according to time and relevant insurance companies can be difficult based on using a single diary system.

[0008] If a repair assessment needs to be revisited new entries need to be entered into the diary system with few efficient ways to avoid duplication of details and assessments.

[0009] Some difficulties with using a diary are as follows. Only one worker could book in an assessment as only one person had the Assessments diary. When a client phones up to make a booking for an assessment the call had to be transferred to the person with the diary. Or the person who received the call had to find the diary. Number of quotes had to be counted up for each day, week and insurance company. This becomes messy as quotes are cancelled or added.

[0010] There are currently no management systems that provide solutions for managing Tow-In and Non-Drivable claims. This is because there are no comprehensive process managing systems for the car repair industry. As stated before there are a lot of estimating packages on the market, however these do not help in processing before, or after an estimate.

[001 1 ] Existing estimating programs are useful for bookings vehicles in for repair, but do not allow continual maintenance, updating and reporting on the repair process.

[0012] Reference to cited material or information contained in the text should not be understood as a concession that the material or information was part of the common general knowledge or was known in Australia or any other country.

Summary of Invention

[0013] The present invention provides:

a computer enabled system for managing a repair process including a means for setting having factors relevant to the repair recorded;

wherein a scheduled repair has an identifying reference.

[0014] The arrangement of the estimation of a repair process and tracking of the progress with quality control in a single application enables efficiency increases. [0015] Preferably the repair process is a vehicle repair process.

[0016] Preferably the factors relevant to the repair are estimations of the repair time and cost, recordal of materials needed for the repair, quality testing of repairs performed.

[0017] Preferably, the system for managing vehicle repairs includes an estimating module, a repair scheduling module, a parts management module, a quality assurance module, a work booking module and a dispatch module.

[0018] Preferably details entered or changed in the estimating module, repair scheduling module, parts management module, quality assurance module, work booking module and dispatch module are correspondingly entered in the other modules.

[0019] Preferably, vehicles for repair can be scheduled in for, estimation or repair at a specific time.

[0020] Preferably, a visual indication of services or statuses associated with the repair is displayed alongside a vehicles identifying reference.

[0021 ] In contrast to the prior art, the visual indication of services or statuses associated with the repair are selected from the need for a hire vehicle, that the vehicle is non drivable, that the vehicle is presently on site, that work on a vehicle is suspended.

[0022] Preferably the total estimated costs for a timer period are displayed by the system.

[0023] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific user are displayed by the system.

[0024] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific worker are displayed by the system.

[0025] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific work department are displayed by the system.

[0026] Preferably, the system is set up to require that arrived parts for a job are checked for suitability. [0027] In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention provides: a computer enabled device for managing a repair process including a means for having factors relevant to the repair recorded;

wherein a scheduled repair has an identifying reference.

[0028] The arrangement of the estimation of a repair process and tracking of the progress with quality control in a single application enables efficiency increases.

[0029] Preferably the repair process is a vehicle repair process.

[0030] Preferably the factors relevant to the repair are estimations of the repair time and cost, recordal of materials needed for the repair, quality testing of repairs performed.

[0031 ] Preferably, the system for managing vehicle repairs includes an estimating module, a repair scheduling module, a parts management module, a quality assurance module, a work booking module and a dispatch module.

[0032] Preferably details entered or changed in the estimating module, repair scheduling module, parts management module, quality assurance module, work booking module and dispatch module are correspondingly entered in the other modules.

[0033] Preferably, vehicles for repair can be scheduled in for, estimation or repair at a specific time.

[0034] Preferably, a visual indication of services or statuses associated with the repair is displayed alongside a vehicles identifying reference.

[0035] In contrast to the prior art, the visual indication of services or statuses associated with the repair are selected from the need for a hire vehicle, that the vehicle is non drivable, that the vehicle is presently on site, that work on a vehicle is suspended.

[0036] Preferably the total estimated costs for a timer period are displayed by the system.

[0037] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific user are displayed by the system. [0038] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific worker are displayed by the system.

[0039] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific work department are displayed by the system.

[0040] Preferably, the system is set up to require that arrived parts for a job are checked for suitability.

[0041 ] In accordance with a third aspect, the present invention provides:

a computer implemented method for managing a repair process including a means for having factors relevant to the repair recorded;

wherein a scheduled repair has an identifying reference.

[0042] The arrangement of the estimation of a repair process and tracking of the progress with quality control in a single application enables efficiency increases.

[0043] Preferably the repair process is a vehicle repair process.

[0044] Preferably the factors relevant to the repair are estimations of the repair time and cost, recordal of materials needed for the repair, quality testing of repairs performed.

[0045] Preferably, the system for managing vehicle repairs includes an estimating module, a repair scheduling module, a parts management module, a quality assurance module, a work booking module and a dispatch module.

[0046] Preferably details entered or changed in the estimating module, repair scheduling module, parts management module, quality assurance module, work booking module and dispatch module are correspondingly entered in the other modules.

[0047] Preferably, vehicles for repair can be scheduled in for, estimation or repair at a specific time.

[0048] Preferably, a visual indication of services or statuses associated with the repair is displayed alongside a vehicles identifying reference. [0049] In contrast to the prior art, the visual indication of services or statuses associated with the repair are selected from the need for a hire vehicle, that the vehicle is non drivable, that the vehicle is presently on site, that work on a vehicle is suspended.

[0050] Preferably the total estimated costs for a timer period are displayed by the system.

[0051 ] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific user are displayed by the system.

[0052] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific worker are displayed by the system.

[0053] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific work department are displayed by the system.

[0054] Preferably, the system is set up to require that arrived parts for a job are checked for suitability.

[0055] In accordance with a fourth aspect, the present invention provides:

a readable storage medium on which is stored instructions for managing a repair process including a means for setting having factors relevant to the repair recorded;

wherein a scheduled repair has an identifying reference.

[0056] The arrangement of the estimation of a repair process and tracking of the progress with quality control in a single application enables efficiency increases.

[0057] Preferably the repair process is a vehicle repair process.

[0058] Preferably the factors relevant to the repair are estimations of the repair time and cost, recordal of materials needed for the repair, quality testing of repairs performed.

[0059] Preferably, the system for managing vehicle repairs includes an estimating module, a repair scheduling module, a parts management module, a quality assurance module, a work booking module and a dispatch module. [0060] Preferably details entered or changed in the estimating module, repair scheduling module, parts management module, quality assurance module, work booking module and dispatch module are correspondingly entered in the other modules.

[0061 ] Preferably, vehicles for repair can be scheduled in for, estimation or repair at a specific time.

[0062] Preferably, a visual indication of services or statuses associated with the repair is displayed alongside a vehicles identifying reference.

[0063] In contrast to the prior art, the visual indication of services or statuses associated with the repair are selected from the need for a hire vehicle, that the vehicle is non drivable, that the vehicle is presently on site, that work on a vehicle is suspended.

[0064] Preferably the total estimated costs for a timer period are displayed by the system.

[0065] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific user are displayed by the system.

[0066] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific worker are displayed by the system.

[0067] Preferably, the total estimated costs for a specific work department are displayed by the system.

[0068] Preferably, the system is set up to require that arrived parts for a job are checked for suitability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0069] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an example computing system which is capable of operating a device, system, method and/or computer program in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating the booking of a job using the system of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a flow chart of the ordering of parts using the system of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a flow chart of the processing of a car on arrival using the system of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a flowchart of the processing of a car for departure using the system of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a screen shot of an assessment screen from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a screen shot of a customer status screen from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a screen shot from a screen listing the non-drivable cars from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a screen shot of a book screen from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a screenshot if a job details screen from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 1 1 is a screenshot of a parts management page from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 12 is a screenshot of a parts ordering facility from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a screenshot of a parts ordering facility from an application using the system of the present invention; Figure 14 is a screenshot of an arrivals processing facility from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 15 is a screenshot of a quality checking facility from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 16 is a screenshot of a quality assurance facility from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 17 is a screenshot of a work allocation facility from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 18 is a is a screenshot of an outgoing work checking facility from an application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 19 is a screen shot of a forecasting application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 20 is a screen shot of a check in application using the system of the present invention;

Figure 21 is a screen shot of a searching function of the check in application of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a screen shot of a dispatch facility using the system of the present invention;

Figure 23 is an example of a prior art recording system; Figure 24 is an example of a prior art recording system;

Figure 25 is a screen shot of a customer interface using the system of the present invention; and

Figure 26 is a screen shot of a customer interface using the system of the present invention.

[0070] In the drawings like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention. Description of Embodiments

[0071 ] Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown an example computing system which is capable of facilitating transactions in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] In Figure 1 there is shown a schematic diagram of a computing system, which in this embodiment is a server 400 suitable for use with an embodiment of the present invention. The server 400 may be used to execute application and/or system services such as a system and method for facilitating an electronic financial transaction in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] With reference to Figure 1 , the server 400 may comprise suitable components necessary to receive, store and execute appropriate computer instructions. The components may include a processor 402, read only memory (ROM) 404, random access memory (RAM) 406, an input/output devices such as disc drives 408, remote or connected input devices 410 (such as a mobile computing device, a smartphone or a 'desktop' personal computer), and one or more communications link(s) 414.

[0074] The server 400 includes instructions that may be installed in ROM 404, RAM 406 or disc drives 412 and may be executed by the processor 402. There may be provided a plurality of communication links 414 which may variously connect to one or more computing devices 410 such as servers, personal computers, terminals, wireless or handheld computing devices, or mobile communication devices such as a mobile (cell) telephone. At least one of a plurality of communications link 414 may be connected to an external computing network through a telecommunications network.

[0075] In one particular embodiment the device may include a database 416 which may reside on the storage device 412. It will be understood that the database may reside on any suitable storage device, which may encompass solid state drives, hard disc drives, optical drives or magnetic tape drives. The database 416 may reside on a single physical storage device or may be spread across multiple storage devices.

[0076] The server 400 includes a suitable operating system 418 which may also reside on a storage device or in the ROM of the server 400. The operating system is arranged to interact with the database and with one or more computer programs to cause the server to carry out the steps, functions and/or procedures in accordance with the embodiments of the invention described herein.

[0077] In the embodiment described herein, the database may be arranged to reside in a single computing system, or in a server-type computing system (i.e. a computer arranged to interact with one or more remote devices) or in a "cloud" computing environment (i.e. multiple servers which connect to external remote devices through one or more gateway computing systems. As described in more detail below, such variations are within the purview of a person skilled in the art.

[0078] Broadly, the invention relates to a computing device and system 010 arranged to facilitate the processing and management of vehicle repairs. This specification will describe vehicle repair with respect to vehicle body panel repairs. The skilled addressee will recognise that the system of the present invention could readily be applied to other types of vehicle repairs.

[0079] In one embodiment of the present invention the vehicle is a land vehicle such as a car. Alternatively, the vehicle can be water, air, space or other vehicle as understood by the skilled addressee.

[0080] When a vehicle's body panels are damaged the vehicle's owner often wishes to have the panels repaired. If the vehicle owner has the vehicle insured, the insurance company becomes involved. Where the damage is the fault of a third party and the third party has insurance the third party's insurance company is involved.

[0081 ] Referring to Figures 2 to 5, flow charts giving exemplary illustrations of processes undertaken by the system 010 of the present invention for the processing and management of vehicle body panel repairs at a vehicle repair shop are shown. The system 010 is a computer implemented system, implemented as software.

[0082] Referring to Figure 2, where an insurer is involved with the repair process the insurer allocates a claim to the vehicle in question along with the details of the vehicle and vehicle owner at claim allocation step 01 1 . The system 010 then adds the details of the claim allocation received from the insurer at detail adding step 013. The system 010 then sends a text message to the vehicle owner at text step 015 to have the customer call to organise an assessment of the vehicle damage. The customer then calls the repair shop using the system 010 at customer call step 017. When the customer calls a worker at the repair shop books an assessment of the damage to the vehicle into the system 010 at assessment booking step 027.

[0083] If the owner of the car either has no insurance, the damage incurred to the vehicle is not covered by insurance or the owner is seeking assessment of repair costs through a non-insurer allocated repairer or before they contact their insurer the owner calls the repair shop at call step 021 to book repairs. Details provided by vehicle owner are added into the system 010 at detail adding step 013. The vehicle owner is contacted on contact customer step 025 to discuss preliminaries regarding the repair process. If the vehicle owner is unwilling to proceed with vehicle repairs or are too difficult to deal with this is noted at difficult client step 026 and a not is made in the system 010 at record difficult client step 024. The record of record difficult client step 024 is set to be raised in the future if the same client approaches the repairer to get work done. If the vehicle owner is willing to proceed, an assessment of the damage to the vehicle into the system 010 at assessment booking step 027.

[0084] When the vehicle arrives for assessment it is noted in the system 010 at vehicle arrival step 029. If the vehicle is drivable it is driven in at drive arrive step 031 and assessed by a relevantly skilled person at the repair shop at assess vehicle step 033. The vehicle is then booked in for repair using the system 010 at vehicle booking step 035. If an insurance claim is involved an insurance claim is authorised at claim authorisation step 037 and the details of the vehicle, assessment and booking are recorded in the system 010 at processing step 050.

[0085] From vehicle arrival step 029, if the vehicle is not drivable, or driven in via tow truck at tow step 039 the vehicle is assessed as non-drivable at non-drivable step 041 . This is noted in the system in non-drivable listing step 043. assessed by a relevantly skilled person at the repair shop at assess vehicle step 033. The vehicle is then booked in for repair using the system 010 at vehicle booking step 035. If an insurance claim is involved an insurance claim is authorised at claim authorisation step 037 prior to vehicle booking step 035 and the details of the vehicle, assessment and booking are recorded in the system 010 at processing step 050.

[0086] Referring to Figure 3, with the details of the vehicle, assessment and booking recorded at processing step 050 an assessment of any parts that are required can be undertaken. At parts query step 051 a worker at the repair shop reviews the assessment to identify if parts are needed for the repair. If the parts are already in stock or none are needed the system 010 is updated at no parts step 052 to show that no parts are needed. From no parts step 052 the vehicle is noted as ready for arrival to site at ready step 069 and the vehicle arrives at vehicle arrival step 071 .

[0087] If parts are needed they are ordered at parts order step 053. The number of parts needed are entered into the system 010 at parts quantity step 055 and the status of the parts as ordered is entered into the system at parts ordered step 059. Any notes related to the job, parts or delays to the arrival of the parts are noted in the system at parts notes step 057. The parts arrive at parts arrival step 061 and the system 010 is updated as to the quantity of parts that has arrived at parts quantity step 063. IT is checked that all required parts have arrived at parts check step 065 and the system is updated to reflect that all parts have arrived at all parts arrived step 067. The vehicle is noted as ready for arrival to site at ready step 069 and the vehicle arrives at vehicle arrival step 071 .

[0088] Referring to Figure 4, the vehicles arrival to site is noted in the system 010 at vehicle onsite step 075. Two sets of photos of the vehicle are set up to be received in the system in two sets step 073. Photos of the damage to the vehicle are loaded into the system at photo entry step 079. A set of quality checks for reference when the vehicle is repaired are set up at quality check set up step 083 and the relevant department or people to work on different elements of the repair job are entered into the system at set department step 085.

[0089] With the vehicle on site a worker checks the parts ordered and received against the vehicle in mirror matching step 077. If the parts match what is required for the vehicle the system 010 is updated to reflect the correct parts are available at mirror matched step 081 .

[0090] The vehicle is then deemed ready for repair at repair ready step 087. The relevant department or person for a component of the repair controls the repair of the vehicle and updates the system 010 to reflect their control of the car at department claim step 089. When the repairs the department or person are responsible for are complete the department or person takes photos of the repairs, makes notes on the repairs and compares and updates the quality checks o controls the repair of the vehicle and updates the system 010 to reflect their control of the car at department claim step 089. When the repairs the department or person are responsible for are complete the department or person takes photos of the repairs, makes notes on the repairs and compares and updates the quality checks of step 083. The system is updated with these checks, notes and photos and quality assurance check step 091 . If the vehicle repairs are of sufficient quality the department or person releases the vehicle from their care and updates the system 010 to reflect their work has been done at release step 093. If there are further repairs to be done the vehicle is transferred to the relevant department or person and this is recorded in the system 010 at department transfer step 095. If the vehicle does require further repairs, the steps of Figures 3 and 4 are repeated for the further repairs. When all repairs are complete the vehicle is flagged as ready for final inspection at final ready step 097.

[0091 ] Referring to Figure 5 the vehicle is presented for a final inspection at final inspection step 099. The final inspection is undertaken at final inspection step 099. When the vehicle is deemed to be appropriately repaired, the system 010 is updated to reflect the vehicle is ready for collection at collection ready step 101 . The vehicle owner is rang at ring step 103 and the arrangement for collection of the vehicle are recorded in the system at collection arrangement step 105. The system 010 is also updated to reflect the confirmed collection time at confirmed pick up step 107/ The vehicle owner has the vehicle picked up at collection step 109 and the system 010 is updated to show that the vehicle has been collected at collect confirm step 1 1 1 .

[0092] The system 010 is updated in the collection section of the system 010 to record the original cost estimate at original estimate confirm step 1 13. The collection section of the system 010 is updated to store the photos of the vehicle before and after the repair along with any notes made in the system during the repair at analyse repair step 1 15. Additional costs are considered at additional costs step 1 17. Updated labour and parts costs are entered into the system 010 at added labour and parts costs step 121 . The repair is invoiced at invoice step 123 and the system is updated to show that the job has been invoiced at system invoice step 125. The system is further updated with the costs of the vehicle repair to add to other vehicle repair costs to compare against other job costs at average costs step 127.

[0093] Referring to Figure 6, a screen shot of an assessment diary page is illustrated accessed through assessment tab 129 of the software application interface used with the system 010. The tabs of the software interface include a dashboard 128 that acts as a home screen when entering the system 010. The assessment tab 129 is used to plan the assessment of a vehicle for repair. A Non-Drivable tab 130 where details of non-drivable vehicles that are brought to the vehicle repair shop are stored. A Bookings in tab 131 where books for repair are entered and managed. A Bookings out tab 132 where the estimated time for vehicle repair is managed. A parts tab 133 where parts ordering and recording is managed. An arrivals tab 134 where the arrival of a vehicle for repair to a repair shop is managed. A departures tab 135 where the collection and departure of vehicles that have had their repairs completed is managed. A Waterfall tab 136 where the workflow and department or people work allocations can be managed. A Search tab for searching records within the system 010. A Tags tab 138 for associating a job with a particular department or person. A photos tag 139 for managing photos associated with vehicles being repaired. An invoicing tab 140 for managing invoicing and a settings tab 141 for managing the system 010.

[0094] The assessment tab 129 displays diary entries 143 where jobs 145 can be added, removed and managed for vehicle repairs. The diary entries 143 allow estimators to book customers in for an initial assessment of their vehicle. It provides time slots over each day. Where specific times are to be unavailable they can be blocked out from receiving jobs 145. Similarly, regular times for a particular customer or insurer can be reserved. The diary entries 143 list jobs 145 against times that the jobs 145 have been booked for assessment. Associated settings can be visually represented with the jobs 145. For example a hire care booking can be illustrated with visual elements 147. The skilled addressee will recognise that alternative visual elements can be used. Examples of visual elements that can be put on the jobs 145 display are a hold order on a job, a non-drivable indicator to show a vehicle in not drivable, a standby indication to indicate a job does not need to be attended to at or by a specific time. Where a repair shop has multiple assessors several jobs 145 can be entered for one time slot. A name associated with a particular job is displayed on the jobs 145. In one embodiment the name is of the vehicle owner. In another embodiment, the name is of the debtor. In another embodiment, the name is of the insurer.

[0095] New jobs can be added by highlighting and activating an unoccupied on unfilled time in a diary entry 143. [0096] In one embodiment when a cursor is rested over a particular job, the assessor allocated to perform the assessment of damage, repairs needed and associated costs will be displayed.

[0097] At the top of each diary entry 143 is a running total 149 of how many jobs are booked in for the date of the date entry 143. A separate contact list 142 is displayed nest to the diary entries that lists all the names associated with the jobs of the diary entries displayed. The number of times a names associated with a job has been contacted and the period since a names associated with a job has been contacted can be displayed next to the names associated with a job. The details recorded for the names associated with the names associated with jobs can be accessed through the contact list. New contacts can be added through the contact list 142 by activating an element displayed on the contact list 142. An indication of whether a vehicle has arrived for its assessment is indicated next to the person associated with a job on the contacts list 142. In one embodiment the indication is an image that can be altered to indicate arrived or not arrived. In an alternative embodiment the indication can be a word or words to indicate arrived or not arrived. The period displayed on the diary entries 143 can be altered using the date range button 150.

[0098] Referring to Figure 7, a job screen 151 illustrating details of a particular job 145 is illustrated. The screen is accessed by highlighting and activating a particular job 145 or through highlighting and activating an icon of a name associated with the jobs on the contact list 142. Details of the person associated with the job can be edited through the edit record icon 153. Editable icons are displayed that can be highlighted and activated to set the status of tasks associated with a job. Options for selecting the statuses associated with a job can be given as a drop down list, selection wheel or otherwise. Hire vehicle booking icon 155 allows whether a hire vehicle needs to be supplied for a job to be selected. Towed in icon 157 allows the towed in or driven in status of a vehicle to be set. Call icon 159 allows whether a customer can be called or not to be set. Too hard icon 161 allows the ease with which a customer can be dealt with to be set. The authorisation icon 163 allows whether a vehicle has been authorised for assessment to be set. Assessee arrived icon 165 allows the status of the assessment of a vehicles repair needs to be set. Buffer icon 167 allows the status of whether time for a repair to be completed is important to be set. Parked icon 169 allows whether a job is to be placed on hold to be set. Booking icon 171 allows whether a repair time for assessed work has been allocated to be set. Job type icon 173 allows a department or person and type of work required for a job to be allocated.

[0099] The settings available allow the status of jobs to be set and displayed easily along with things that are required to be done on a job. For example, some insurers may wish to reserve time slots and book the assessments themselves into set time slots, whereas some may require the panel shop to contact the customer. Having a job set up to readily display that a customer is to be called or that a particular time is reserved of a particular insurer allows these specific requirements to be easily managed.

[00100] The system allows Quick visibility of:

^■ The number of assessments coming in per day and per week.

^■ How many assessments there are yet to be booked in.

^■ Which assessments failed to make the designated appointment (Contact rebook).

^■ Which insurance companies failed to meet their contractual obligations (in regards to the number of jobs supplied each week).

^■ The ability to ensure assessments come in at a steady and desirable rate.

^■ The ability to manage large numbers of assessments (over 100 per week).

^■ A simple generalised system that allows flexibility to provide solutions for managing specific difficulties on individual claims.

^■ The ability to identify claims that have been idle for too long. (Have been allocated to the business by an insurance company, but not booked in for an assessment and need to be contacted).

^■ Smooth work flow for estimators, less stress, higher productivity for administration and estimators. ^■ The program allows users to make, store and share notes and details on each individual claim, or policy holder.

[00101 ] The program allows users to see what customers have not been contacted, how many times they have been contacted and how long it has been since last contact. Providing help managing all assessments.

[00102] With reference to Figure 8, a screen shot of a page from the Non-Drivable tab 130 of the software interface of the system 010 is illustrated. A list of jobs 175 with images 177 of the vehicles is displayed for vehicles that have arrived and deemed non-drivable. Many of these vehicles arrive via tow truck. The list of jobs 175 is needed to manage vehicles which are brought on site and left there because they are unsafe to drive. This can be for the following reasons: If a client comes in for an assessment and the assessor deems that the vehicle is not in a safe condition to be driven on the road, the car will be left on-site. Or a vehicle is brought in directly from a crash site on a tow truck. These vehicles need to be assessed, an estimate needs to be compiled and this needs to be authorised, while this is happening the customer needs to be kept informed.

[00103] Contact details for a vehicle deemed non-drivable are entered via the contact list 142 discussed above. Each entry in the list of jobs 175 includes a contact icon 179, a booking date icon 181 , a repair time icon 183, an arrival time icon 185, an authorisation icon 187, an arrival status tab 189, a hire car status tab 191 , and an authority tab. Details of each of the icons 179. 181 , 183. 185, 187 can be set by highlighting and activating the icon being directed to editing options.

[00104] The contact icon 179 displays how many times a customer has been contacted regarding their job of the job list 175. The booking date icon 181 displays the date that an estimate has been booked. The repair time icon 183 displays the time estimated for the repair of the vehicle. The arrival time icon displays the time the vehicle arrived at the repair shop. The authorisation icon 187 illustrates the status of authorities required from a customer to undertake assessments and cost estimates. Arrival tab 189 displays the status of arrival. Hire vehicle tab 191 displays the requirement of a hire car or not. The authority tab displays the status of the authority for an estimate.

[00105] Statuses and details across different tabs 129, 130, 131 , 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141 for the same thing link to a common data source. This updates details entered or changed in one tab across all tabs at the same time. For example if the status reflecting the need for a hire vehicle is changed at hire vehicle tab 191 is changed it is also changed in job icon 145 in the assessment tab 129.

[00106] Booking in tab 129 and booking out tab 130 are lists of vehicles coming in for repair and going out each week and the associated parts and labour values. A booking in date is when the customer can bring their car in for repair. The booking out date is the estimated date when the car will be finished and ready for pick up. The booking in and out dates are made with the customer at the assessment stage (based on the size of the job the current workload and the labour available. These screens provide a clear overview of bookings, which can be edited.

[00107] Once a job is booked in for an assessment and the assessment is marked 'Arrived' it will automatically appear in the bookings list on the left hand side of both the booking in and the booking out calendars. From the bookings lists jobs can be allocated to a date in or a date out.

[00108] Figure 9 is a screen short of a page from the bookings out tab 130 of the software interface of the system 010 is illustrated. Once a job has been estimated the expected time required and cost to complete the repair is known and the job is booked in (see below for further on booking in). The booking out tab 130 has diary entries 195 that list jobs 199 scheduled to be finished against a time for the vehicle of the job to be picked up. Where a job has yet to be estimated for an available pick up time it is listed in the no date out tab 193. The entries in the no date out tab have cost estimates associated with them and can be placed in the diary entries 195 by dragging a job in the no date out tab into an available time slot in the diary entries.

[00109] The diary entries 195 include the figure sums 197 that display the sum of the diary entries 195 parts and labour cost estimates. The total number of jobs listed to be ready for collection are shown at the top of the diary entries 149 and the breakdown of jobs by insurer is listed at insurer display 148.

[001 10] Referring to Figure 10, a screen shot of a page from the booking in tab 129 for the details of a particular job to be entered is shown. Specifically a screen for dates and repair arrangements 203 is shown. Other tabs for recording details 205, a customer log 207, a send the client an SMS message tab 209 and a parts required tab 21 1 are available. The date a vehicle was estimated is shown at assessment date tab 217 and the time of the estimate is shown at assessment time tab 219. These details are taken from the assessment tab 129. The date a vehicle is to be booked in for repair is entered and displayed at booking date tab 221 and the time booked in for repair is entered and displayed at booking in time tab 223. Based on the estimate and dates available in the diary the date out tab 225 allows the entry and display of the pick-up date and the pick-up time at pick up time tab 227. The dates and times can be selected from a calendar, drop down list or entered manually.

[001 1 1 ] The cost estimate of the labour, parts and estimated repair time are entered and displayed in tabs 213. Each of tabs 213 correspond to a different aspect of labour, or parts that are required. The time estimate is based auto generated and related to the booking in date and booking out dates from tabs 221 and 227.

[001 12] The booking out screen for booking out tab 132 is the mirror reflection of the booking in screen of booking in tab 131 . A 'Forecasting' button presents jobs booked out as labour costs in dollars. This enables a production manager to juggle start dates of jobs and achieve a balanced work load, both coming in and going out, across the week. The forecasting button shows the labour dollars out for the next three weeks after a booking date at the click of a button. This means that an estimator does not have to keep flicking between the bookings in and the bookings out screens.

[001 13] An estimator can enter parts and labour values into each customer's record, which will inform the daily and weekly expected revenue. To enter parts and labour values click on the customer's name and 'Edit record'. Click on the tab 'Dates and Arrangements'. The tab provides an area for entering labour costs for each department and will work out the total estimate and the total estimated repair time (based on the in and out dates).

[001 14] With the booking in tab 131 tab functions and the booking out tab 132 functions the system 010 can:

^■ Keep a tally of cars booked in and out each day and week.

^■ Calculate labour in dollars each day and each week for the panel, paint and parts departments.

^■ Update any additions or cancellations. Automatically update related figures across tabs. ^■ Provides the ability to view and manage bookings based on number of cars and labor dollars.

^■ Book in jobs before an estimate is started.

^■ Enables instant booking of customers as soon as they come in. All bookings taken are immediately visible.

^■ Allows the marking of different types of jobs, quarter panel and bumper.

To ensure the right mix of work comes in.

^■ The bookings pages also display the numbers of cars booked in for different insurers.

^■ Indicates which records have not yet been completed. This helps estimators to balance their dollars out each day.

^■ View number of jobs, labour totals and jobs that have not had estimates.

^■ Provides information on one screen.

^■ Highlights holes in production (days in which not enough labour dollars have been booked in).

^■ Highlights overloads in production.

[001 15] Most importantly the Bookings Calendar is a tool that enables an organisation to achieve maximum production, by enabling a business to schedule jobs in and out on particular days and weeks to create an even and desired flow of dollars into and out of a business each and every day, as well as each and every week. Managed bookings will greatly improve the flow of work within a repair shop.

[001 16] Referring to Figure 1 1 , a screen shot of a page from the parts tab 133 for management of parts required for repair jobs is shown. The parts job lists 229 are listed according to date under the date list 227. The parts job list 229 displays and provides interaction options for particular jobs. Each job of the job list 229 includes mirror matching icon 231 , the vehicle arrival icon 233, the parts quantity icon 235, the parts arrived icon 237, the parts required icon 239 and the parts required status tab 241 and mirror match status tab 243.

[001 17] This screen displays the jobs coming in and the number and status of parts required. From the point a claim is booked in, until the point it arrives there are two things that must happen:

1 . the parts must be ordered; and

2. the parts must be received.

[001 18] The mirror matching icon 229 displays and provides means to edit if the booked parts for a job have arrived and are the parts required for the job. The mirror match status tab 243 is linked to the mirror matching icon 229 and reflects the mirror matching icon 229 status. The vehicle arrival icon 233 displays and allows editing of if the vehicle requiring repair has arrived for the repairs on the booking in date. The parts quantity icon displays and allows editing of the number of parts that are required for a particular job. The parts arrived icon 237 displays and allows editing of the quantity of parts that have arrived for a job. The parts required icon 239 displays the status and allows editing of if parts are required for a job. This is mirrored in the parts required tab 243.

[001 19] If parts are required, selecting and activating the parts required icon 239 present a series of options answering the question. This changes the parts status on the left and will inform production managers to whether the repair can be started.

[00120] Figure 12 illustrates the options presented 242 when the parts required icon 239 is selected. Options presented are order the parts 245, indicate that parts are ordered 247, indicate that no parts are required 249, indicate that the parts process cannot proceed 251 , indicate that the parts requirements can proceed 253 or indicate that the parts are on site 255.

[00121 ] Figure 13 illustrates the parts ordering page accessed through parts tab 21 1 . When the parts have been ordered, the number of parts is entered and displayed in parts quantity tab 257 and the number of parts arrived is updated and displayed in tab 259. Any notes are added in notes tab 261 and the status of the ordering is reflected in parts order status tab 265. The display of tabs 257 and 259 are reflected in parts quantity icon 235 and parts arrived icon 237. Any changes made in parts tab 21 1 are saved with save icon 263. [00122] Referring to Figure 14 a screen shot of a page from the arrivals tab 134 for management of vehicles arriving for repair shown. The screen of arrivals tab 134 shows which jobs are expected to arrive for repair each day; it gives a logical list of tasks to complete on each car. This helps production managers to recognises jobs that do not arrive or tasks which have not been completed.

[00123] There are three major events which occur the day a vehicle arrives. These should be completed to achieve the required budget and production targets. The arrivals screen clearly displays these important processes, ensuring potential problems are identified and averted.

[00124] The vehicle arrives. It can be clearly seen when a vehicle arrives. If a vehicle did not arrive this is also clearly visible and can be followed up. This ensures gaps in work flow can be highlighted and dealt with. Vehicles that will not come in can have the parts credited.

[00125] An important procedure is mirror matching. When a vehicle arrives the parts ordered in advance are checked against the vehicle. This matching process checks for mistakes in the parts ordered. For example a new bumper may be a different shape. Without this process mistakes can cause hold ups in the work flow. For example a part may be wrong. It will be painted (so it cannot be returned for credit). The job will have to be repainted (opportunity cost). 1 Q1 records when this task has been completed. This ensures this important process is not missed off.

[00126] Quality Assurance checks are lists for each technician, detailing checks they must do at the end of their part of the job. These checks ensure that a quality job is done on the vehicle. This greatly reduces the chance of problems further down the process, or complaints from customers. This process is displayed on the arrivals screen and is checked off when completed. (See check-in app for details on setting Quality Assurance checks.) Setting QA checks sets a quality expectation, clearly communicates these specific checks to the relevant departments and holds the individual working on the job accountable.

[00127] Jobs are listed in the arrivals tab 134 as jobs 265. As the parts, scheduled date out, repair time etc., have already been established from the estimate the status of the date out icon 273, repair time icon 275 and code icon 279 will have been prepopulated with data from the estimate. The mirror matching icon 267 reflects the status of if the parts have been matched against what is required for the arrived vehicle. The quality assurance tab 269 reflects and can update if completed repairs have been checked for quality when completed. The arrival tab 271 reflects if the vehicle has arrived for repairs and is reflected in the on-site status tab 281 . The hire car tab 283 reflects the hire car tab 277 and if the customer requires a hire car.

[00128] As soon as a vehicle has arrived it will be added to a work in progress list for observation.

[00129] Figure 15 illustrates a screen shot of a quality checking application 285 used to undertake and record quality checks. Quality Assurance checks are lists for each technician, detailing checks they must do at the end of their part of the job. These checks ensure that a quality job is done on the car. This greatly reduces the chance of problems further down the process, or complaints from customers. This process is displayed on the arrivals screen and is checked off when completed.

[00130] A job is searched and brought up on the quality checking application 285. The different sections and condition of vehicle body panels are represented by panel display icons 287 as follows:

Minor Damage To The Front Bumper (including replacement or

F- repair)

F+ Major Damage to the Front Bumper (including radiator)

LFG Left Front Guard (including replacement, repair or strip for blend)

B Bonnet (including replacement or repair)

RFG Right Front Guard (including replacement, repair or strip for blend)

Minor Damage To The Left Front Door (Including strip for blend and

LFD - repair)

Major Damage To The Left Front Door (including replacement and

LFD+

re-skin)

T Turret/Roof (Including replacement, repair and strip for blend) Major Damage To The Right Front Door (including replacement and

RFD+

re-skin)

Minor Damage To The Right Front Door (Including strip for blend

RFD- and repair)

Minor Damage To The Left Rear Quarter Panel (Including repair

LQP- and strip for blend)

LQP+ Major Damage To The Left Rear Quarter Panel (replacement)

RQP+ Major Damage To The Right Rear Quarter Panel (replacement)

Minor Damage To The Right Rear Quarter Panel (Including repair

RQP- and strip for blend)

Minor Damage To The Rear Bumper (including replacement or

R- repair)

Major Damage To The Rear Bumper (including beaver panel and

R+

boot-floor and chassis rail damage)

[00131 ] Required tasks to be undertaken for a particular panel when selected from icon 287 are illustrated at icon 293 with corresponding actions to be undertaken shown in list 289. The job number and car registration details are listed at icons 291 .

[00132] From the arrivals screen we can make sure all three of these important tasks are performed on every car that comes in every day. If any three of these important tasks are not performed the field will be highlighted red and display the word 'No'.

[00133] It is within the scope of the present invention for colours to be used to quickly identify the status of a task. For example green could be used to indicate a task was authorised or that something had arrived and red could be used to represent that something was not required or that something was yet to arrive/be authorised.

[00134] Some checks are not dependent on what parts of the car are worked on, but are dependent on which department are working on the car. Activate the process and extra QA's by clicking the departments that will work on the car at some point. (Rectangle shaped boxes to the left.) [00135] Figure 16 illustrates a quality assurance master list 141 of the system 010 accessed through the settings tab 141 . The quality assurance master list dictates the features that will show up on the quality assurance screen 285 for each body panel. Each test of the quality assurance master list 141 can be set as optional or not with icon 295. The numerical figures and order thereof of the order tab 297 dictate the order that the feature will be displayed on the list 289. The group that the quality test applies to is nominated in group tabs 299. The name of the item of the quality check is listed in item tabs 301 . The number of records allowed for a quality check are recorded at record tabs 303. The location of the subject matter of the quality check on the vehicle is listed at location tabs 305. The description of the work required related to the quality check is listed at section tabs 307. How much work is required is set in severity tabs 309. The settings of the tabs can be saved with save icons 31 1 or the requirement of a check can be deleted with delete tabs 313.

[00136] Referring to Figure 17, a screen shot of the waterfall tab 136 of the system 010 is illustrated. The waterfall function allocates work to departments, prioritises work. (Based on out date), highlights information about the job using icons, shows the load in a business. (Cars and values), it shows the load in each department. (Bottle necks), records history of who worked on a car.

[00137] The work required on a job is split into different stage requirements. For example, the check in stage 315, the panel repair stage 317, the paint preparation stage 319, the painting stage 321 , the panel fit up stage 323, the polish stage 235 and the detailing stage 327. The estimated cost of each stage is shown with the stage. As each stage is performed by a different department or person the splitting of the stages allows each department or person to identify upcoming work and search it in the system 010 easily. Photos 329 of the panels requiring work in each stage accompany each stage. Selecting and activating a photo 329 brings up quality assurance checks and progress status for each stage and panel the subject matter of the photo.

[00138] Workers interact with the waterfall using the check in app. Workers look at the water fall and select the Job on the far left of the department they work in. They type the job number (below the picture of the car) into the app to access details of the job.

[00139] The productivity of a worker working on a job is plotted in the system 010. [00140] Referring to Figure 18, a screenshot of a screen of the departures tab 135 is illustrated. The departures tab is a list of all the cars going out over a time period. These cars are grouped day by day. At the departures tab, all the departments should have completed all of their quality checks and as a result all of the tabs 333, 335, 337, 339, 341 , 343, 345, 347 should display as complete.

[00141 ] Each job is listed in job list 331 . The assessment task has an assessment tab 333 representing the estimation task. The repair task has a repair tab 335. The paint preparation task tab 337 represents preparation for painting. The painting tab 337 represents painting. The fit-up tab 341 represents filling up a panel. The sublet tab 343 represents any tasks outsourced. The polish tab 345 represents polishing the painting. The detail tab 347 represents detailing. The lag tab represents any time required to finish the job after beyond the booking out date. The ODO tab 351 represents the originally scheduled booking out date. The total tab represents the total cost. The ready tab represents if the vehicle is ready for pick up. The view sublet tab links to details of any outsourced work.

[00142] If a department responsible for a task completes some quality checks but not all, an indication will appear around the tasks of a department. This allows the production manager to track down small problems with jobs and speak directly to the technician involved. To see the quality checks for a department click on the box of the desired department, within the desired job and the quality checks will appear.

[00143] The total dollar value for all jobs going out that day is displayed at the top of each day in the black bar. The manager can see how they are progressing toward the daily budget. The system tallies up the total dollar value for all jobs that are ready, confirmed and picked up for that day.

[00144] For example if a day is displaying $9,000 of $10,000 This means $9,000 worth of work is ready, confirmed or picked up while $1 ,000 is yet to be completed. (For the Budget out each week. See Booking Out.)

[00145] Referring to Figure 19, a screen shot of a forecasting display 500 of the present invention is illustrated. The forecasting display presents jobs booked out as labour costs in dollars. This illustrates jobs that are scheduled to leave the workshop on a particular day. This allows booking out days for repair jobs to be appropriately timed. Figure 20 illustrates a screen shot from check in application 600 of the present invention. The check in application is used when a car arrives to begin repair work. Analyse the car and set up the departments that will work on the car and the quality checks that are required at each department. The production manager will set the quality assurance standards, which each department will adhere to. Departments will take photos of their work to show what was done or not done. The check in application allows a user to search for jobs, enter information for jobs, bring up reports, take and view photographs and to review payment details.

[00146] Figure 21 illustrates, a job details screen shot 700 of a job brought up through search function of the check in application of Figure 20. The job details page allows a user to edit details of the job, add photos to the job and set up quality checks for the job.

[00147] Figure 22 illustrates a screen shot from the departures function 750 of the present invention. The departures function illustrates different aspects of a repair job from left to right, giving a percentage completed for each one. The departures list is a list of all the cars going out over a week. These cars are grouped day by day, Monday at the top and Sunday down the bottom. It is effectively the opposite of the Arrivals screen. By the time it gets to the out date all the departments should have completed all of their QA checks and as a result all of the boxes should be coloured and display 100%. The departures screen is used by Production managers to view everything that is completed so far on the jobs going out that day as well as identify what is not done. The benefit of the departures list is that it easily highlights incomplete tasks on jobs, so they can be sorted out in time. The dollar value is displayed for each job in the Total' box on the right side of the record. The total dollar value for each day is displayed in the Black bar at the top of each day. Leaving the car on the date it was ready to pick up records this date which may be needed in the future.

[00148] Figures 23 and 24 illustrate prior art methods of managing a repair process. Physical diaries and logs are used to book, monitor and log the repair process.

[00149] Figures 25 and 26 illustrate a client interface 725, 726 for tracking the repair process of the system 010. The client interface 725, 726 allows a customer to check the progress of their car from their computer / mobile. It shows the customer which stages the car has completed which stage the car is currently at and which stages are yet to come. A client can tell how far the job has progressed by how far down the track it is. [00150] This app is driven by employees' ticking-off QA checks and tasks. The screen will display the expected out date (day the car should be ready to pick up) for the job. The customer accesses their car using the code that is designated to their car. This code is found on the arrivals screen.

[00151 ] The departures list can be used to track productivity day by day and week by week. The job will stay on the day it is finished not when it is picked up by the customer, providing productivity managers with the tools to track progress across the week.

[00152] As the customer can access the progress of the repairs, they can more efficiently monitor the progress of the repairs.

[00153] A manager can target jobs to reach the budget by looking at the total dollar value displayed in the last box on the far right hand side of the record. The clear and detailed layout of the program allows managers an overview of the running of their business both in terms of work flow and budget.

Alterations and Modifications to the Embodiments

[00154] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

[00155] Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[00156] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. [00157] Also, future patent applications maybe filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of, or claiming priority from, the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A computer enabled system for managing a repair process including:

a means for having factors relevant to the repair recorded;

wherein a scheduled repair has an identifying reference.

2. The computer enabled system of Claim 1 , wherein the repair process is a vehicle repair process.

3. The computer enabled system of Claim 2, wherein the factors relevant to the repair are estimations of the repair time and cost, recordal of materials needed for the repair, quality testing of repairs performed.

4. The computer enabled system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system for managing vehicle repairs includes an estimating module, a repair scheduling module, a parts management module, a quality assurance module, a work booking module and a dispatch module.

5. The computer enabled system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein details entered or changed in the estimating module, repair scheduling module, parts management module, quality assurance module, work booking module and dispatch module are correspondingly entered in the other modules.

6. The computer enabled system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein vehicles for repair can be scheduled in for, estimation or repair at a specific time.

7. The computer enabled system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a visual indication of services or statuses associated with the repair is displayed alongside a vehicles identifying reference.

8. The computer enabled system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total estimated costs for a timer period are displayed by the system.

9. The computer enabled system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total estimated costs for a specific user are displayed by the system.

10. The computer enabled system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total estimated costs for a specific worker are displayed by the system.

1 1 . The computer enabled system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total estimated costs for a specific work department are displayed by the system.

12. The computer enabled system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system is set up to require that arrived parts for a job are checked for suitability.

13. A computer enabled device for managing a repair process including:

a means for having factors relevant to the repair recorded;

wherein a scheduled repair has an identifying reference.

14. A computer implemented method for managing a repair process including:

a means for having factors relevant to the repair recorded;

wherein a scheduled repair has an identifying reference.

15. A computer-readable storage medium on which is stored instructions for managing a repair process including:

a means for having factors relevant to the repair recorded;

wherein a scheduled repair has an identifying reference.