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Stacey Phillips is a freelance writer and editor for the automotive industry. She has 20 years of experience writing for a variety of publications, and is co-author of “The Secrets of America’s Greatest Body Shops.” She can be reached at sphillips.autobodynews@gmail.com.
Mitchell’s ‘Program Freedom Experience’ Features Newest Products, Services with Stacey Phillips
Mitchell executives recently presented the company’s newest products and services during a special event in Palm Springs, California, held in January.
calculations and automate workflows to enhance efficiency for users. Over the next decade, under the leadership of Debbie Day, Mitchell’s auto physical damage business unit will focus on two key themes: proper and safe repairs and partnering with others in the industry to allow more seamless connectivity for the ultimate benefit of the customer. Day joined the company 18 months ago. During the presentation, she outlined the company’s goals and how they relate to the recently announced Freedom initiative.
Alex Sun, Mitchell’s CEO
Titled “The Mitchell Program Freedom Experience,” the afternoon presentation showcased the work the company has been doing over the last few years to ensure it will continue to be a valuable solution provider for repair facilities. These include Mitchell WorkCenter, Mitchell RepairCenter, Mitchell Cloud Estimating and Mitchell Parts. “For me, Program Freedom exemplifies the dynamism we are experiencing in our industry today and the increasing level of sophistication and complexity that is being introduced into the environment,” said Alex Sun, Mitchell’s CEO. “You can’t look at that and not be thinking about how we all
Debbie Day leads Mitchell’s auto physical damage business unit
need to refine or redefine what we do in our business models, so we can ensure we have successful enterprises and we are vital to the ecosystem at large.” Sun explained Mitchell’s plans to continue to invest heavily in technology solutions that are used to make
minded partners who together are creating a seamless experience and interoperability, taking the collision repair and claims industry to the next level.
product management, spoke to attendees about first notice of loss (FNOL). “To Mitchell, that really means embracing consumer self-service products,” said Bainer. “We have built a suite of smart mobile products that give insurers the ability to give their customers the products they want, when and where they want.” Bainer outlined the current (l to r) Kevin Machell-Cox, Dune Pagaduan, Mike Lawlor Mitchell products offered in and John Eck regard to FNOL. Mobile First During the event, Mitchell exec- Notice of Loss allows consumers to reutives outlined the six stages of the re- port the facts of loss, identify the vepair process, from the initial claim hicle damages, determine the best (first notice of loss) to the final deliv- inspection channel available and ery of a properly and safely repaired schedule an appointment. Photo-Based vehicle. Following their presentations, Estimating with Guided Photo Capture demonstrations of Mitchell products gives consumers the capability to take were offered to the more than 200 at- pictures of damaged vehicles and gettendees. ting them back to the insurer so they can be reviewed and ready for an estimate. The tool was built to expedite 1) First Notice of Loss (FNOL) Chris Bainer, Mitchell’s director of See Program Freedom, Page 71
(l to r) Hans Littooy and Chris Bainer
“Freedom is not one thing, and it’s not a product,” explained Day. “It’s a concept where the industry works together to solve its challenges.” Day outlined the four pillars of Freedom: • Single Open Cloud Solution: The Mitchell product is 100 percent cloudbased and offers both EMS and BMS support, as well as transactional capabilities. • Claims Automation: This touchless claims processing method offers artificial intelligence capabilities as well as big data and predictive analysis. • Proper & Safe Repairs: Using advanced analytics, Mitchell’s focus is on comprehensive proprietary information that is contextually and intelligently accessible. This includes enhanced editorial content, diagnostics, OEM-specific estimating and certified network management. • Partner Well: Mitchell’s partners encompass carriers, MSO/repair facilities, OEMs, and additional strategic partners and industry leaders. Day said that Mitchell is working toward a strong collaboration with like-
68 MARCH 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
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