10.20 Hunter Equipment Integration

KB 2875, Release Note, Service Development, 9/27/2024

The 10.20 release introduces an exhilarating new integration tailored to elevate your Dealership's capacities. Seamlessly blending Hunter tools for Tire Tread Depth and Wheel Alignment measurements, this integration effortlessly synchronizes data with the PBS software, streamlining operations for enhanced efficiency.

Tailored for drive-through scanning machines, this integration promises swift and efficient tire and alignment scans as Customers arrive. It equips Service Advisors with comprehensive data as they generate Service Orders, while offering excellent upselling opportunities.

This integration brings a multitude of advantages to Dealerships, including streamlined processes, enhanced customer retention, and optimized profits.

Equipment Note: The integration is with Hunter unmanned Quick Check inspection systems which check the vehicle's alignment and tire tread depth. These are typically located in the service drive or entrance of the shop. Hunter back-shop equipment such as wheel alignment systems that are used by the technicians to perform adjustments are not currently integrated.

Note - there are three types of Quick Check scanner machines - alignment/tire tread, alignment only, and tire tread only.

Setups

Dealerships subscribed to Hunter integration and aiming for integration with PBS software should contact PBS Support to enable the Control Flag setting and carry out any additional required configurations.

Once the activation is requested, Hunter will deploy a rep to activation the equipment at the dealership, usually within a week of the request.

Hunter Inquiry Feature

The Hunter integration is implemented within Service work items, Tire Storage and Inspections. While its primary usage occurs within Service Orders, Service Advisors can also access and review previous scans in Appointments and Estimates.

We've introduced a new feature called Hunter Inquiry in the right-side menu, enabling immediate access to the latest Hunter data using the VIN and license plate. Users can leverage the information shown in the Hunter Inquiry window to illustrate to the Customer how their vehicle's metrics compare to the low and high thresholds, indicating pass or fail statuses.

Additionally, Tire Tread Depth is displayed at the bottom. In cases where the Dealership has set a minimum failure threshold, such as anything below 5, the Hunter data will indicate the tread depth for each tire.

To access this feature, follow the path: Service Order > Requests (right-side menu) > Hunter Inquiry

Print Option

Users have the option to click on the Print button for a preview and to print an image presenting all the data in a visually appealing format, mirroring the output provided by Hunter's system.

The visual representation encompasses all numerical data, including indications of tire depth failures. In this example, the visual reveals that two tires indicate green, while the Front right and Left rear tires show varying degrees of yellow and red, leading to some upsell opportunities. We'll delve deeper into how this process works in the Inspections section.

The Wheel Alignment information is displayed at the top. When tires are marked in red, it is a clear indication of misalignment, visually representing them as "wobbly" and indicating a failure.

Additionally, each time a print preview is initiated, the system automatically archives a copy in the Service Order. This provides a great opportunity for the Advisor to reference the Customer's previous visits, allowing them to review the numbers and utilize them as upsell opportunities. They can also print and send them to the Customer via email.

Transfer Feature

Just like in other areas of the software, we aim to streamline the process of transferring information back onto the Service Order. The Transfer checkboxes allow Users to select and easily transfer data marked in red for potential upselling opportunities. They can also transfer "greens," serving as positive communication to the Customer, providing reassurance about their vehicle's good condition. This information will also be visible on the final printed Customer Copy.

When clicking the Transfer button, specialized Op Codes are generated for Dealers subscribed to Hunter, labeled HRALIGN and HRTIRE, which will populate onto the Service Order. Dealerships can choose to keep these Op Codes for reporting or substitute them with their own Op Codes as required. Furthermore, all transferred statistics are integrated into the Op Code Description, ensuring easy access without the need to revisit the Hunter Inquiry option. Technicians can also refer to this information as needed.

Tire Storage Entry

For Dealerships equipped with both Tire Storage functionality within PBS software and Hunter scanning equipment, we have leveraged this integration to streamline the Tire Storage Entry window.

Dealerships can benefit from thread depths and tire sizes retrieved via the Hunter integration when it is enabled. Instead of manually inputting this information, Users can simply click on the Hunter button, and the data will automatically populate, effectively reducing the risk of human error. As there is access to data on multiple treads, the lowest number is automatically pulled and displayed.

To access this feature, follow the path: Service Order > Requests (right-side menu) > Tire Entry

Inspection Packages - Setups

Now, let's delve into how Hunter data is integrated into Inspections! We'll examine a Subaru Inspection and a Kia Inspection to highlight the distinctions between them, as each Inspection may vary slightly.

A training package will be provided upon initial setup.

Example 1: Subaru Inspection

On this Inspection, there are groups for each tire; Drivers Side Rear, Driver Side Front, Passenger Side Rear, Passenger Side Front and there are multiple questions on the Inspection. The only one that's applicable is Tire Tread.

When addressing questions marked with Red, Yellow, and Green indicators, corresponding statistics can be retrieved from the Hunter ID dropdown menu. For example, when dealing with a Red question, the Left Rear Tire Tread Depth Red data is loaded, and similarly for Yellow and Green. In the case of Text type questions, the Tire Tread Depth value is pulled, indicating the sixes and sevens.

To access this feature, follow the path: Fixed Ops > Service Order > Maintenance > Advanced Setups > Inspections > Package

Example 2: KIA Inspection

In this example, the Tire Tread questions, are not color-coded with Red, Yellow, and Green indicators. Instead, they solely feature a numerical value, prompting the loading of the Value ID.

Questions relating to Toes and Cambers, such as the Front Total Toe, the corresponding Front Total Toe stat is loaded.

The Wheel Alignment Pass/Fail question is configured to display Red and Green indicators for alignment. It will mark Red if the alignment fails, and Green if it passes. Both flags will not be displayed simultaneously.

Service Order - Completing the Inspection

Similar to Tire Storage, when the Dealership has Hunter equipment enabled, an accessible Hunter button appears on the Inspection interface. This button allows Users to retrieve the required data. By clicking this button, Users can initiate the Inspection, importing the statistics and then continuing with the remainder of the Inspection process.

Additionally, Hunter is integrated into the Complete Questions button. Some Technicians prefer to click this button, which marks everything green, then work backwards. Therefore, irrespective of the method used to complete the Inspection, both approaches will incorporate Hunter data.