October_2021 - 8

Information is an
important tool, too
The best approach is to have a primary and backup source at your shop.
By Amanda Silliker, Editor
ASilliker@EndeavorB2B.com
T
here are many exciting
new tools coming out
all the time. Scan tools,
scopes, and power tools are
always getting the attention of
technicians. But information is
a very important tool that you all
use every single day. You might
not be picking it up from your
mobile tool dealer, but the service
information systems that
you check regularly are crucial
in helping you do your job well.
Your service information provider
is kind of like headlights -
you only really notice when it's
not working.
It's not easy choosing the right service
provider, so in his column on page
38, Scott Brown provides some tips for
using the different systems in your shop.
Prices vary considerable among the different
providers - as does the quality of
the data they provide. It can be hard for a
shop owner to decide what option is best.
One seasoned technician told me the
shop he's been at for nearly two decades
had tried out two different providers but
never stuck with them. One was full of
" bad data " and the other just didn't seem
to have as much knowledge as the veteran
tech himself.
Since they all vary in the information
available, most shops have a main
information resource and then a backup,
secondary source. You will run into
providers saying they have a better
solution than the others, such as more
code descriptions or colored wiring diagrams,
but they all have their pros and
cons, so having more than one option
is advisable.
As one technician put it:
" I typically find where one lets me
down, another picks up the pieces.
This also holds true for OEM information.
In a couple of instances, the OEM
information was missing or incorrect.
It was the aftermarket information that
saved my butt. "
Regardless of the information providers
you choose for your shop, it's not
a bad idea to take your time and trial them
before subscribing.
Also in this issue, we reveal the
winners of our People's Choice
awards. This is a fun off-shoot of our
Innovation Awards where you - our
PTEN EDITORIAL
ADVISORY BOARD
TECHNICIANS
ERIC MOORE,
DeMary Trucks, Columbus, OH
LOU FORT,
K.A.R.S. Inc., Huntingburg, IN
SHOP OWNERS
KIM AUERNHEIMER,
Cool Springs Automotive, Brentwood, TN
TANNER BRANDT,
Autodiag Clinic, Welford, SC
PHIL FOURNIER,
Phil's Auto Clinic, Hemet, CA
JD GOAD,
Goad's Body Shop, Lexington, VA
EDWIN HAZZARD,
Southeast Mobile Tech, Goose Creek, SC
PETE RUDLOFF,
Pete's Garage Inc., Newark, DE
MICHELLE TANSEY,
Dubclinic, Santa Clara, CA
EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS
CHAD SCHLEY,
FACEBOOK
facebook.com/
ptenmagazine
TWITTER
@VehicleSrvcPros
LINKEDIN
linkedin.com/company/
professional-equipment-tool-news
INSTAGRAM
@ptenmagazine
YOUTUBE
youtube.com/user/
vehicleservicepros
Schley Products/SP Tools
JIM O'HARA,
Clore Automotive
valued reader - choose the new tools
that you think can have the greatest
impact in improving productivity at
automotive repair shops. Some of our
staff favorites this year include the
Autel MaxiTPMS ITS600 Intelligent
Tire Service and Diagnostic Tablet;
the Ullman Devices Digital Diagnostic
Mirror, No. E-DM-1MB; and the Dent
Fix Equipment Self-Piercing Riveter
10T, No. DF-SPR70.
Check out page 52 for the
complete list.
8 PTEN OCTOBER 2021 VehicleServicePros.com
http://www.facebook.com/ptenmagazine http://www.twitter.com/VehicleSrvcPros http://www.linkedin.com/company/professional-equipment-tool-news http://www.youtube.com/user/vehicleservicepros http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
October_2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October_2021
