Diagnostic tools are an essential part of any service business. The right tool in the right hands can make a shop more efficient and get vehicles back on the road faster, driving revenue and building customer trust.
While each OEM has their own software, there are also an array of aftermarket products covering several makes and models and providing advantages that make them more than just a fault code solution.
Picking the right one is a task that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“Don’t just invest in a diagnostic tool, ensure you’re partnering with an organization that can help fulfill all your service and maintenance needs” says Jason Hedman, product manager at Noregon. “Whether you want to open additional locations and standardize on a diagnostic tool, or simply wish to take on new types of vehicles and equipment, the right tool can help facilitate that increase in business.”
Verifying coverage
Shops should always verify any all-makes diagnostic solution matches the vehicles on the road outside. That is to say, all of its customers and potential customers.
Maria Grimon, marketing director for Cojali USA, says aftermarket diagnostic tools should provide dealer-level capabilities, which includes bi-directional controls, calibrations and embedded repair information. Most importantly, any solution should open the door for increased efficiency and growth.
“Choosing a tool is about more than features,” she says, “it’s about making your entire operation more productive and self-sufficient.”
Testing the testers
A trial period can let technicians really get to know a solution before the shop shells out any money, including seeing it work in real-world situations and testing out just how well it works on their customers’ vehicles.
“It’s important to make sure the tool is something your team can easily use.”
“Some tools may list coverage for a particular make and model, but the user later finds it only has basic faults and no bi-directional tests or advanced functionality,” Hedman says.
Cojali says most of its distributors offer demo periods with the full diagnostic kit so techs can test Jaltest on vehicles and get a feel for features, ease of use and depth of coverage. Noregon offers both a free trial and a demo mode. The latter is popular with schools, Hedman says, where students can work on their diagnostic skills without connecting to a live vehicle.
“The most important things to consider when purchasing a diagnostic tool are that your whole team will be able to use it and it will work on the majority of the vehicles and equipment you regularly service,” Hedman says. “It’s important to make sure the tool is something your team can easily use.”
Beyond diagnostics
Some tools may come with additional support packages to help shops of any size be more efficient — if the budget is right.
Cojali’s Jaltest offers ASE-certified technician support. Noregon’s JPRO offers a technician-as-a-service (TaaS) option that allows a master mechanic to remote into the system and assist the technician on the ground. Mitchell 1’s diagnostic module delivers specific troubleshooting and repair procedures, including wiring diagrams.
“That means technicians aren’t wasting time sifting through irrelevant data,” says Kristy Coffman, director of Mitchell 1’s commercial group. “It’s all about helping them get straight to the particular information they need to complete the job quickly.”
Integration opportunities
Prospective buyers also look for tools that can integrate with shop management systems, meaning the solution manages the process from intake to invoicing. Coffman says this can reduce errors transferring information from one system to another and speed up repair times.
Choosing a distributor is a personal decision. ... Factors like existing relationships, finance options and local support all play a role."
This is where a good relationship with the tool’s distributor and sales professional is instrumental. Noregon, for instance, gives customers a variety of options and bundles to choose from. Working with a good representative to build a partnership can help out with product guidance, training and, in the worst case, to sort out any problems that arise.
“Choosing a distributor is a personal decision,” Grimon says. “Many shops stick with their trusted parts providers, while others turn to specialized diagnostic distributors. Factors like existing relationships, demo length, finance options and local support all play a role.”
Training brings advantages
No tool is fully useful unless technicians are trained properly on how to use it.
“Some shops focus too heavily on initial cost and overlook critical support and training,” Grimon says. Instead, Cojali warns each tool and each brand have their own learning curves, and the more tools a shop has, the more training it may need. “The more your team knows what Jaltest can do, the more value it delivers back to your vehicles.”
Noregon’s Hedman says shops should look to take advantage of any educational resources their diagnostics providers offer.
“We give customers a variety of self-paced training options such as training videos, on-demand webinars, tech tips and much more,” he says. “Aftermarket diagnostic tools have vast capabilities, so it’s essential to take advantage of any resources that can help your technicians learn the ins and outs of them.”
