SCANNING INTO THE FUTURE

AS WE INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY, GUESSWORK WILL BE GONE

With the demands of the collision repair industry only continuing to become more fast-paced, when it comes to automotive scanning and estimation, dent delays are becoming more and more a thing of the past. Say goodbye to days of relying on guesswork and tape measures; today’s sophisticated scanning technologies are like having a high-tech detective on your team, uncovering hidden damage that would otherwise go unnoticed—frame misalignments, electronic system glitches, you name it.

2024 was a summer of scans, with both Fix Network Canada and AkzoNobel hosting estimation technology training sessions. Notably, at the beginning of June, Fix Network Canada hosted strategic partners at its Calgary training Centre for an estimating course designed to review and refine collision repair estimating skills. The training was facilitated by Tim White, senior services consultant at AkzoNobel. Here, a total of 22 attendees from Fix Auto Canada and Procolor franchisees participated in the event, and learned everything from evaluating frame, suspension and mechanical damage; learning how to use P-pages and what to include on an estimate; justification for labour time to create a thorough and fair estimate; and the importance of OEM procedures and how to use this to develop a repair plan.

Philippe-Andre Bisson, director of marketing and communications, Fix Network originally told Collision Repair magazine that “the was to change the perspective of estimators from writing an estimate that reflects the damages on a vehicle, to writing an estimate that reflects the actual repair required.”

Then, at the end of July, AkzoNobel hosted a group of students for an Acoat Estimating, Consistency and Documenting Damage course.

Designed to review and refine estimator skills relative to collision repair estimating, the event was held at AkzoNobel’s Ontario headquarters and training centre, and was led by Aaron Hebb, AkzoNobel service consultant.

During the event, participants were presented with knowledge on how to optimize profitability per repair order while also complying with insurer DPR requirements.

The course was divided into nine topics, including writing a consistent estimate; estimating guidelines; approach to estimating; key estimating decisions; judgement time; P-pages and refinish time justifications; and assessing structure damage and negotiations. From 3D scanning abilities to the incorporation of artificial intelligence that is trained to automatically recognize and classify many forms of vehicle body damage and flaws, when it comes to automotive scanning and estimation, the tools of the trade are getting smarter and more precise. So, while the old days of uncertainty are fading fast, it’s clear that the future of collision repair is anything but bumpy!

If you scan the following products, we estimate that you’ll find something to elevate your repair projects in the coming year.