Technical Services

Vehicles are received via road transport, they normally have been pre-notified via our VTMS system. Upon arrival at our sites the vehicle is scanned, which then informs the customer of vehicle receipt. Scanning technology is used to identify the vehicle and also places the vehicle on the relevant contract. Using hand-held terminals, the vehicle data is uploaded onto our VTMS.

Vehicles are inspected at point of receipt for damage/defects that may have been caused during transportation using hand-held technology, and if any vehicle is found with damage it is segregated so that claims can be processed. Vehicles are moved to wash bays prior to a full defleet inspection. The inspection will determine whether a vehicle is within the remarketing standard. All damage/defects that are not within the standard are noted and the customer is advised.

Vehicles that are either within the standard or requiring work are stored and moved by the compound operation teams. VTMS records and tracks vehicles in compound locations. Compound management programmes provide tools for individual vehicles and site visibility which, in turn, provides greater overall operational efficiency. Technology is in use to power hand-held terminals, aerial points using renewable sources (wind power) are in remote areas of the compounds.

Once the customer advises Autologic to proceed, the data is input into our VTMS system, providing traceability of a vehicle’s damage history. All work carried out is managed through the VTMS - type of work, time allowed for work and schedule of work to be carried out. Vehicles are scheduled for work using the VTMS scheduling system, usually in date order, but sometimes in the priority order that the customer requests. VTMS gives complete visibility of what is to be worked on, how much has been scheduled for work (in vehicle hours) and what vehicles are held for work.

Parts required for technical work are ordered, received and controlled by the parts department. VTMS allows for parts to be ordered and issued to individual vehicles, allowing complete visibility and traceability of parts management, it also allows the customer to see what vehicles have parts outstanding prior to being worked. Technology is being developed for automated inventory control systems to allow for more accurate and efficient parts management techniques.

Vehicles scheduled for work are processed through workshop areas using up-to-date repair methods and manufacturer’s standards. VTMS provides detailed work instructions (job cards), and scanning systems provide complete traceability of when each item of work is completed and who has completed it. VTMS tracks the time taken to carry out work on a vehicle and the time allowed, which gives important statistical data on productivity, labour utilisation and overall efficiency.

Upon completion of repair, a re-inspection is carried out to view the quality of repair prior to making the vehicle fit for sale. Vehicles are then moved into storage by the compound team. VTMS records and tracks vehicles in compound locations, including movements. Scanning and hand-held terminal technology provides paperless vehicle movements. Upon receipt of customer notification of sale and point of delivery, a valet request is created and the vehicle is valeted to the required standard.

Compound management programmes give visibility of transport load requirements as well as the ability to segregate urgent from non-urgent units, providing improved efficiency of labour and compound space. Vehicles are transported to customers using a versatile fleet of transporters, from 11-car carriers to single plated collectors. Autologic epod technology allows for instant paperless vehicles acceptance at point of delivery centres.