The Auto-Quote Time-Clock is a measuring device which allows for the recording of tradesmen's time details and job operation information 'live and as it happens'. At any time, live information and status of a job or worker is only a key press away. The system is constantly refreshing the times of each worker and automatically updating the Job Costing records.

The system is simple and easy to use and eliminates any duplication of recording information usually found with manual time recording methods. When a tradesman clocks onto and off a job the actual time is automatically recorded and the remaining hours on a job are updated constantly. Non-charge jobs can be created to accurately measure non-productive time to help identify possible problem areas and give a true comparison between productive and non-productive operations.

The Time-Clock also allows for communication between the workshop and the office or supervisory staff. A tradesman can notify the office from the Time Clock work station of any possible problems with a job. The estimate Owner Vehicle Details (OVD) screen is enhanced with information from the Time-Clock so the office is always 'up to date' with the progress of a job. Also the Time-Clock screen includes relevant information from the OVD screen and estimate so that the tradesman always has access to information that he needs to carry out the necessary work (eg. parts status - ordered, received etc.).

It is also possible to further split times by allowing a tradesman to clock times to user specifiable operations within a Cost Centre. This information can be used to help assess the effectiveness of new equipment, procedures or identify weaknesses within the workshop.

The "Time Clock" has exploded like a time bomb all over the country with both Repairers and Insurance Companies either impressed, amazed, stunned, embarrassed, frightened or concerned with the concept of working with Real Time, Real Money and Real Materials.

Already 110 leading bodyshops are working the system with sensational results.  Some negative thinking Insurance Companies are shaking their heads in disbelief, while forward thinking ones have already recognised the Win, Win situation for all concerned and are either organising to or are already in trials with selected repairers utilising the "Real Time - Real Money and Real Materials" concept.

It eliminates all Guesswork and brings an Accuracy and Reality never before available to the work place.  All costing is based on Live, Real Time as it happens, and includes the costing of Real Materials.  The system is foolproof and leaves nothing to chance.

Lets face it, if 10 repairers and 10 Assessors all wrote a quote, the differences would be quite alarming.  The current system has a rework or supplement rate running upwards of 70%.  This duplication factor is costing both repairers and insurers huge amounts of time and money. This high Rework Rate is unacceptable in any industry, and highlights the failings of the present  system which is really in serious need of major repair. 

The Estimating and Assessing masquerade of bluff, barter and con, coupled with cunning, clever and devious practises is near its' end.  So inaccurate can many assessments be, that there is serious doubt as to their legality and validity.

I believe the current system is anti-competitive and doesn't allow for true competition to take place. It seriously violates Trade Practise with entrenched monopolies, misusing their market power and forcing others to accept virtually anything they offer.

The system becomes laughable when the labour rate for all body repairers, regardless of size, expertise and productivity is fixed at $30.00 and less.  Forward thinking Insurance Companies are starting to realise that they can buy a Real and More Productive hour at $60.00 to $80.00 than paying 3 to 4 hours at $30.00.

There is no excuse for ignorance! and so inaccurate are some insurance offerings, that they do not realise they have left themselves open to abuse and corruption from their own inconsistencies, anomalies and impossibilities.

This is 2000 and Guestimation is no longer valid.  Any repairer or assessor who thinks he can "Eye Ball" precise repair and paint times before the commencement of repair on the high tech cars of today is hopelessly out of touch with the real world.

The current Estimating and Assessing Systems use "Dead Times and Rates" that seldom move or take advantage of new Technology, New Processes and Cost Movements.

Real Time, Real Money, makes use of efficient management, technological gains and talented well trained technicians.  It also tracks Real Paint and Material costs.

Regardless of what you are paid by  Insurance Companies, it is Vital you know the Real Time and Materials you use on each job.

Repairers who have been Time Costing are the only ones qualified to know and to pass judgement on the realities of car repairs.  Those repairers, assessors and Insurance Companies who have never job costed a job in their life are starting to show the look of  humiliation as they recognise the errors of their ways.

The only accurate and fair way to establish true costs is when the exact precise repair and paint time is recorded and multiplied by the shop's Real Hourly Rate.

Time Clock lifts the lid on the Age Old Fallacy and shows the serious short fall of the current "Hit and Miss" materials costing of "Hours x Rate", which has been wrong from its inception.  Paint and Body Materials are no different than parts and their Real Costs bear no relation to the labour time required in the repair and refinish process.