Solera Innovation Labs

Roadside assistance is an area of mobility that could use a major facelift. The customer experience hasn’t changed much since we first started driving cars, but technology has finally given towing a lift and improved how we safely handle breakdowns and incidents on the roadside. The new generation of roadside assistance providers rely on modern tech like artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide safe and convenient roadside help. Companies like startup HONK Technologies are changing the way companies and customers approach breakdowns and towing.   On this episode of Solera Innovation Labs, Don interviews Rochelle Thielen, Executive Vice President of Partnerships at HONK, a company that utilizes a network of approved towing partners to provide on-demand roadside assistance, much like Uber and Lyft. Listen to Don and Rochelle break down the inefficiencies of the state of roadside assistance today and how technology and exceptional customer support can change the roadside game.

OEM certification programs have been around for a long time. In fact, Toyota began the first OE certification program for repair facilities more than 20 years ago. So why are we hearing so much about these programs in recent years? Technology and ADAS have changed a lot about driving and repairing a car, and manufacturers want to keep repairs consistent for the safety of drivers and for continued loyalty to their brand. In today’s episode, we get answers to some pressing questions about OEM repair programs and certifications from an expert in the business, Larry Jaskowaik, who manages these programs at Boyd Gerber. Don and Larry help listeners navigate the complicated and at times confusing certification process so shops and dealerships can make informed decisions for their businesses.

The electric vehicle market is growing every year, and 2020 will undoubtably bring more models into the field. But with so many differences and variables between the vehicles, and vastly different legislation from that of traditional vehicles, it’s tough to know what’s right for your lifestyle and business. On this episode of Solera Innovation Labs, Don speaks to cap hpi consultant Matthew Freeman, who has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry and works for cap hpi, which provides automotive data and insights for vehicle valuations. Cap hpi releases a quarterly report on the electric vehicle market to help businesses and consumers make sense of the vast differences between these vehicles. How long does one model’s battery last, compared to another model? Can you charge it at home? At work? While out shopping? On the podcast, Don and Matthew dig into the challenges and opportunities of the electric vehicle market and help listeners gain better insight into these exciting innovations to make informed decisions.

It seems like everyone is talking about vehicle telematics these days, but who actually knows the ins and outs of this complex topic? We’re in the studio with Michael Flanagan, founder and CEO of Xtract, a connected claims platform for telematics crash data to get his take on this new development in data. Whether you're just diving into the world of telematics, or have been following the topic for years, you’ll find plenty of useful information on vehicle data and connected platforms in today’s episode. Host Neal Lowell pokes and prods at the different angles of telematics, like privacy, availability and future use cases for this exciting new technology, for manufacturers, insurers and repairers to stay in the know.

On this episode of Don’s Drive-In, Don brings back a friend of the show, Kristen Felder, CEO of Collision Hub, to recap the SEMA show that took place in Las Vegas early November. Kristen and Don dive into the show’s events and some of the hot ticket items at the convention. Performance, parts, collision repair, and innovation—you can get it all and more at SEMA. This year, shop performance software had the spotlight in the collision corner, as well as calibration tools. Another essential element of SEMA is the educational aspect. Students from all over the country are invited to participate in engine building challenges, which adds a great competitive spirit to the show. These students are able to earn themselves scholarships toward continuing educational programs, and they get to meet their TV and social media car heroes while they’re at it. If you didn’t have a chance to participate in the show, or if you just want to satisfy your SEMA or AAPEX withdrawal, tune in for highlights and insider insights from one of the biggest shows in the industry.

The automotive service industry is facing a decline in the number of skilled technicians entering the field. How can shop owners, educators and industry partners address this decline and reverse the trend? The Collision Repair Education Foundation, CREF, is a charitable organization that supports trade schools and education programs with resources, shop tools and funds to help prepare and train the next generation of technicians. From safety glasses to uniforms to state-of-the-art equipment, the donations made through CREF are invaluable to the students and professors who keep the industry going. In this episode of Don’s Drive-In, CREF’s Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode, discusses the organization’s recent survey of the collision repair industry and the job outlook for new technicians. 

The number one challenge in the automotive industry is the shortage of skilled technicians. Half of all technicians are over the age of 50, and fewer technicians are entering the industry and bringing with them crucial technical and computer science skills. There’s a heavy burden on automotive educators to train the upcoming workforce and ensure they’re prepared for their first job in the bays. Our guest this week on the podcast is Kyle Holt, president of SP2, a safety and training organization that provides online courses and resources to help technicians practice the necessary skills they need to be safe and successful in the workplace. Kyle busts some of the common myths of hiring and mentoring new technicians and helps shops actively looking for employees find the perfect fit.

Cybersecurity can seem like a complex issue. We all know we need it; however, the installation and upkeep of all that high-quality software is pretty daunting. Luckily, we have some practical tips for shops and business of all sizes—and budgets—to follow for safe and secure business operations. No matter how you slice it, your data and your customers’ information are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Updating your software, educating your staff about the true cost of digital attacks and practicing safe cyber habits are crucial steps to protecting your business from malicious actors. Listen to this week’s episode of Solera Innovation Labs for more tips and advice on keeping data secure.

Vehicle diagnostics. Pre- and post-scanning. Calibration. What are we really talking about when we use these terms? We brought in an expert to help explain the hot topic of vehicle electronics. Meet Jim Fish, a vehicle diagnostics expert who brings a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to Solera Innovation Labs. As Jim puts it, vehicle diagnostics is the interrogation of a vehicle for conditions that aren’t as they should be. This is made more difficult as vehicles get more complex. If there’s anything we know about the coming years, it’s that vehicles will continue to evolve in complexity and change as technology becomes the main driver of change. Sit back and put your thinking cap on for this episode.

Taking a hard look at your business workflow isn't something many shop managers would jump at, but it could lead to some incredible advantages down the road. Streamlined communication across the shop, time saved on labor, greater expertise in technicians—these benefits and more could come from implementing small but mighty changes within the bodyshop. In this episode of Solera Innovation Labs, Gethyn Davies, an expert in bodyshop development from Audatex UK, shares shrewd business tips with Don Mikrut for shops looking to make incremental gains on each repair job.

Data is a hot topic. But what do we know about vehicle data? And how can we use it to make mobility safer, estimating more intuitive? Get answers to these questions and more in this episode of Ready, SET, Go! In the mid-80s, estimating was an entirely manual process. Vehicle photos were taken with a Polaroid. Hand-writing estimates took up to two hours per claim, if you were fast. Collision repair shops and local adjustors worked side-by-side.  Nowadays, automation has taken center stage. Thanks to data and intelligent image capture technology, estimates are generated by software programs and screened by a human, cutting the wait-time for an estimate significantly. Data has enabled unprecedented opportunities to automate and streamline processes to save time, reduce manual effort and improve customer experiences. View podcast disclaimer at www.solera.com/podcast.

On this episode of Don's Drive-In, Don interviews Kristen Felder, CEO of Collision Hub, the industry's #1 resource for technical training, news and events. Kristen was born for a career in the collision space - she was literally born in a paint booth! Tune into Don and Kristen's discussion around the challenges of the current repair ecosystem and the opportunities businesses have to digitally transform their shops and workflows. And stay up-to-date on news from around the repair business, including an exciting announcement on the 2020 Corvette.   View podcast disclaimer at www.solera.com/podcast.

Don Mikrut is a 20-year veteran of the automotive industry, having run a successful MSO outfit before joining Solera as VP of Collision Services. In the Lab, Don dives into vehicle valuations enabled by the latest AI and automated technologies, as well as collision repair practices and innovation for shop ops. Featured guests bring dynamic insurtech and collision expertise to help listeners win in the age of data-driven policies and repair. View podcast disclaimer at www.solera.com/podcast.

As VP of Product Management at Solera, Neal Lowell has been delivering disruptive and high-value solutions within the Solera portfolio for nearly 20 years. Neal gives listeners a clear picture of the future as our vehicles become more connected and methods of transportation evolve. Tune in to hear guest perspectives on gaining a competitive edge in the market by embracing new digital Services, Experiences and Technologies. View podcast disclaimer at www.solera.com/podcast.