Scania’s new workshop tool is a tablet

Scania is rolling out the iPad-based technology across its company-owned branches Australia-wide, providing technicians with real-time information about the vehicle they are working on.

The tablets can also give techs a complete work order list, as well as having the ability to attach photos of damaged or broken components, which can be seamlessly sent to the customer in order to gain approval to proceed with repairs.

The service and repair information is then saved as part of the vehicle’s electronic history held on file by Scania, which can be reviewed the next time the vehicle returns to the workshop.

From the moment a vehicle arrives at a Scania branch for repair or service work, the service advisor and service technician can monitor its progress through the workshop.

Using the Workshop Communication Unit, a black-box installed in the workshop, technicians can wirelessly connect to vehicles using the Scania Workshop Suite app on the tablet, to identify information on errors or failures, drawing attention to what needs to be fixed prior to releasing the vehicle back to work.

“Workshop Information Online is integrated with our Dealer Management System. It is completely online, always up to date and available anywhere with internet for users with credentials,’ says Jason Grech, Scania Australia’s Technical Support Manager.

“With this technology we’ll be able to turn vehicles around more quickly, as well as ensure we have a complete and accurate report on the vehicle condition and the work that has been carried out on it.

“Not only does the system guide the technician through a workflow, but the iPads also contain the full factory workshop manual for the exact model of truck being worked on, showing the technician which parts need to be replaced, plus showing how to remove and refit them.

Mobile Technician is another app on the tablet which allows technicians to clock on and off to jobs, write their stories and use pre-defined checklists to make their task more efficient.

“We have delivered training to more than 50 technicians who have been issued with the tablets so far, with the aim being to rollout system across more than 150 technicians at the company’s nine branches by the end of the year, including the brand-new branch at Eastern Creek in NSW,” Jason says.

The tablet is managed centrally using a data management tool. This means new apps can be sent out automatically from Scania HQ. Further useful apps include mapping, to assist mobile service crews locate vehicles in unfamiliar terrain.

The tablets feature a wide selection of Scania technical apps and access to databases, so that the technician does not need to leave their workstation to research information or identify a part or find a part number. The tablets also offer assistance for diagnosis of problems, to help speed up their resolution.

“We will be able to improve our productivity in the workshop at every stage of the process,” says Lloyd Carter, Branch Manager at Scania Campbellfield in Victoria.

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