Have you ever been impatiently waiting for your car to be repaired because it broke down on your way to work and left you stranded. Then you look outside to see how it’s going, and you see the mechanic standing there on his tablet, hand not even greasy, and you just can’t believe this guy is on his tablet instead of working on your car. Well, calm down. Chances are he is using it to diagnose your car. Automotive repair software has come a long way in recent years.
What Gives?
These days there is an increasing amount of software for shop management. This software, which is moving more toward mobile platforms, is used for logging customer information and assisting with diagnostics. It allows your mechanic to see previous notes about your vehicle and he can mention anything that may be an issue in the future.
Chances are, if he hasn’t even started working on your car yet your mechanic is logging your issue for later reference. This will also let him see if your car has had a similar issue in the past or if there were any notes that could be relevant.
Why Not Just Use a Manual?
When diagnosing a car, your mechanic is having to find a single problem in a system that is otherwise working properly. This can be difficult at times, even for the most experienced mechanics. Not to mention with all the manufacturers are packing into cars these days the amount of information they have to remember is mind boggling. Yes, he could use a manual, but manuals stain and wear out. They also don’t give the tech the convenience of having all of their previous records on your car on hand. This can save a substantial amount of time because he is not having to go searching for the information he needs; it is in the software.
