Pinewood have released an industry-first tool for technicians – the hands-free Voice Assistant in Tech+. The Tech+ app already gives technicians the tools to record detailed checks on vehicles, request parts with built-in menu pricing, together with connecting digitally with their customers using electronic health check videos.

Pinewood realised that using a mobile in the workshop could prove quite difficult for technicians when wearing the necessary PPE. With Artificial Intelligence becoming increasingly popular and valuable for speeding things up, even in the household, with the likes of smart speakers and voice assistants, Pinewood took this and applied it as a free addition to their Tech+ app.

“We want our customers to work as efficiently and comfortably as possible, which is why we created our suite of digital apps, to begin with. With the new Voice Assistant in Tech+, technicians can open jobs, start operations and send conversation notes just by talking to their mobile device. Bluetooth headsets can also be used, they are easy to set up and will be a great addition to the app, ensuring clear communication between the technician and their new assistant. Tech+ users can find a preview of the new feature in their app today and try it out, with new improvements and functionalities appearing in the future.” Explains Neville Briggs, Managing Director at Pinewood Technologies.

The world is becoming more and more digital as time goes on, eVHC has been adopted by a large number of dealerships and is proving hugely beneficial for growing revenue in the workshop.

“The Tech+ app has quite frankly revolutionised what we do. The ability for the technician not just to be able to clock on and off a job, not just to do a visual health check directly on the tablet, but also you get to see the service history of the car, it just enhances the experience for both the technician and the efficiency in the way that we work in the workshop. It’s been a real fundamental improvement that we have been able to drive from Pinewood DMS.” Says Dougal Keith, Managing Director at D.M. Keith Motors.

Why stop there? People are becoming comfortable with voice assistants in their homes with the likes of Siri and Alexa, AI-powered technologies are quickly becoming the norm and Pinewood want to make sure that dealerships don’t lag behind. First online bookings and payments, paperless documents, apps for working on-the-go and now the Tech+ Voice Assistant – just another step into the digital era.

Pinewood have introduced a new online payment feature in the workshop, enabling customers to pay for their service work before collecting their car.

Recent events have made it clear how important it is to have a system that adapts to changing circumstances and embraces the digital era. Always looking to make sure that their customers have all the tools they need, Pinewood noticed a big difference between dealerships and the rest of the retail sector.

“If you think of common bookings you might make – for example, plane, train and cinema tickets – you can just book and pay online and you’re done. Automotive retail shouldn’t be any different or any more difficult. Our new online payment solution helps to provide a hassle-free and modern customer experience.” Neville Briggs, Managing Director at Pinewood.

Using a proven and secure online payment solution, dealers can now offer their customers the ability to pay their service invoices online before collection. The Barclays EPDQ solution is fully integrated with Pinewood DMS, once the customer pays on the portal, the money is directed straight to the dealer’s bank account and appears in the DMS Accounts module. Barclays EPDQ accepts all major debit and credit cards, including PayPal, to make it even easier for dealers to receive payments.

Alongside the suite of mobile apps, online booking and digital documents, online payments in the workshop completes the no-contact collect and deliver cycle. Gone are the days of multiple customers waiting in the dealership for their vehicles. The customer can book their service in on the website, the vehicle is picked up by a member of staff and the job progress tracker tells the customer exactly what stage the vehicle is at while it’s in the workshop.

“It’s a challenging time for our industry and dealers are looking for ways to keep their staff and customers safe alongside making a profit. Adding online payments to our already digital and paperless system, gives our customers the edge that will set them apart from the rest.” says Briggs.

Over the past few weeks, we have been highlighting handy features in Pinewood DMS that can help dealers limit physical contact, contact the right customers and look good doing it. Let’s take a look at everything we covered.

Remember, everything can be set up using the COVID section in our Support Portal, or contacting our team at enquiries@pinewood.co.uk

Check out the dedicated COVID section in our Support Portal including guides and videos. Any questions? Our Support team are always happy to help: enquiries@pinewood.co.uk. Want to stay updated? Make sure you’re following us on Twitter and LinkedIn!

This week we have more handy tools to help you stick to social distancing guidelines. Here at Pinewood, we want to support you in any way we can. Don’t forget about the dedicated section in our Support Portal including guides and videos. Let’s take a look at what we covered this week.

Electronic Invoices

Viruses can live on paper, reduce physical contact and cut costs by sending email invoices to your customers in Pinewood DMS. The days for printing invoices are over.

Parts Pre-Picking

Keep your technicians and parts staff safe, limit queuing at the back counter. In Pinewood DMS you can pre-pick your parts for the day and set them out next to the correct workstations.

Personalised Videos

All you need is Pinewood DMS, a car to sell, a phone or tablet and a friendly face! Download Stock+ today and send personalised videos to your customers.

iOS / Android / Windows

E-Learning

Learn where you want, when you want with Pinewood DMS E-Learning. Including a range of videos and quizzes to get you up to scratch on all of the modules important to you. Find out more

Check out the dedicated COVID section in our Support Portal including guides and videos. Any questions? Our Support team are always happy to help: enquiries@pinewood.co.uk. Want to stay updated? Make sure you’re following us on Twitter and LinkedIn!

Here at Pinewood, we want to support you in any way we can. Over the next few weeks we will be highlighting various tools that are available in Pinewood DMS for you to set up, with a dedicated section in our Support Portal including guides and videos. Let’s take a look at what we covered last week.

Collect and Deliver

In Pinewood DMS, you can manage your collect and deliver bookings to limit the number of customers in your dealership.

Job Status Tracker

Did you know that your customers can see what stage their vehicle is at in the workshop? Make it easy for customers to wait at home for their vehicles.

Contact your Customers

Are you presenting yourself well in your email communications? We can help with email templates to set your dealership apart from the rest.

MOT Test Updates

Update your MOT database, including any vehicles affected by the lockdown. Pinewood have worked with the DVLA to make sure you are contacting the right customers. Did we mention that it’s free?

Workshop Planner

A simple way to plan workshop jobs. Schedule by technician, team or shift and see all job notifications on one screen. Technicians see their jobs in Tech+ and know exactly what they’re doing day-to-day, find out more.

Check out the dedicated COVID section in our Support Portal including guides and videos. Any questions? Our Support team are always happy to help: enquiries@pinewood.co.uk. Want to stay updated? Make sure you’re following us on Twitter and LinkedIn!