To help collision repair facilities streamline the blueprinting process and prepare fast and accurate estimates, SUN Collison has introduced a new software feature, Repair Package. The company, a brand of Snap-on, launched the new feature during the 2023 SEMA Show in November in Las Vegas, NV.
Chris Bonneau, SUN Collision’s business manager, said the Repair Package provides comprehensive documentation to support estimates and insurance claims.
“It is a huge time-saver for service writers/estimators, allowing them to produce a foolproof repair plan in seconds, and eliminates the need for manual data entry,” explained Bonneau. “It's the first comprehensive solution of its kind.”
SUN Collision software, introduced to the collision industry in 2019, provides complete and current OEM repair information and procedures for body and frame, paint and finish, and materials for all vehicle makes and models.
With the new feature, users can create a comprehensive repair package that incorporates all OEM procedures, illustrations, interactive wiring diagrams and required OEM parts and part numbers. It integrates with shops’ estimating systems, centralizing repair information and estimating data.
Bonneau said the product was designed to be user-friendly and create more efficiencies for body shops.
“Everybody wants to do more business and get more cars out faster,” said Bonneau. “When shops can find the information they need, they can repair vehicles quicker.”
When users click on an estimate line item, the information for known part numbers and other details are displayed. Bonneau said the result is a complete work package, including 100 to 1,000 pages available in printed and PDF formats.
“Everyone is spending time looking for the OEM procedures and SUN Collision's Repair Package makes it so much easier,” he said.
Time-saving tools include a hyperlinked table of contents to find information quickly, and the 1Search Plus search engine, which simplifies search-and-navigation for a specific vehicle and presents the relevant information in a card-based graphical layout.
Bonneau said the Repair Package also consolidates Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) information in a single location, making it easier for shops to diagnose, calibrate and repair vehicles equipped with ADAS.
The Repair Package leverages industry standards established by the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA). Bonneau said these standards provide a common language and framework that facilitate the exchange of data between collision estimating systems, insurance companies and other stakeholders involved in the repair process.
Prior to being launched, the Repair Package was beta-tested with body shops. Bonneau said they received valuable feedback that was incorporated into the product to ensure it was user-friendly and met their requirements.
The software’s database is kept current throughout the year with ongoing updates and repair information.
SEMA Show attendees had the opportunity to take part in a Repair Package product demo during the event. Show attendees who participated in the demo were entered into a raffle. Andrea Berczel of Heritage Collision in Ann Harbor, MI, won a Samsung Galaxy Tablet S9 with a military-grade cover.
Overall, Bonneau said the response was very positive to the new software package.
“It’s really going to reduce stress by helping technicians find what they need quickly,” said Bonneau. “A detailed repair plan and documentation leads to less supplements, helps shops get paid for the work being done and reduces liability.”
For more information, call 877-840-1973 or visit suncollision.com.
