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    Re: your predictions on the future Archived Message

    Posted by Dave Hill on December 7, 2008, 3:12 pm, in reply to "Re: your predictions on the future"

    I feel that the next few years are going to see a shift in the trade we see today. The current situation is going to cause some decisive response from vehicle manufacturers & I am sure that they will strive to protect their business’s in anyway they can. It is not hard to see why the dealers are struggling. When you look at the multi million pound showrooms & the excessive number front of house “suit wearing” staff & of course the massive outlay in the equipment.

    I have recently delved into dealer level tools & it has been an eye-opener for sure. Confidence in seeing a job through, makes a refreshing change from previous diagnostic experiences. However I do wonder if the current availability of these dealer tools, is just a temporary “sticking plaster” over a developing wound!

    As time has gone by, we have seen how dealer level information (TIS, VADIS etc) has been available with relative ease & as the message gets back to the manufacturer board rooms, they then decide to shift the distribution method from CD / DVD to a secure web based system. I suppose you can’t blame them from “plugging the hole” as they need to maintain any advantage possible! I suspect that vehicle diagnosis will follow a similar path & it seems a natural progression for dealer level equipment to connect to a secure server, so as to make sure that only authorised users can use it.

    I also think that “the knowledge” is being centralised at the manufacturers HQ. I often witness a staggering lack of in depth understanding of various systems at dealerships & it seems that a diagnostic approach is decided by some HQ based “super tech” who then instructs the mechanic at the dealer. I suppose it makes sense to have the best minds based centrally, rather than training lots of tech’s to such a standard, all over the country. Or maybe it’s another way of controlling the valuable information.

    It is hard to see where we are going to be in five or ten year’s time. Currently the rewards don’t seem to match the effort required to get ahead in the job. Wages as they are now aren’t going to attract quality new blood either.

    I have enjoyed the learning & fixing process over the years, but the novelty is wearing a little thin at the moment!

    Sorry for the “doom & gloom” post. Just my thoughts!

    Regards

    Dave

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