Repairers will be able to slash time and costs spent buying in replacement parts by taking advantage of a new online ordering service. Glass's Information Services and SEL-Imperial are launching an automated system aimed at streamlining the ordering process.

The system intercepts the bodyshop's initial communication with the insurer and identifies the parts required.

Details are then sent to SEL so that a price and order application can be issued to the bodyshop automatically. Managers can then confirm the order or track down the part from an alternative source.

For the majority or body repairers and work providers, administration is a major drain on their resources and eats into profits, says Martin Norbury, Glass's strategic business manager. “By adopting an integrated supply chain approach, we have the chance to eliminate this burden while improving transparency and speeding up the whole process,” Norbury says.

Kevin Shipton, chief executive officer of SEL Imperial, believes repairers will welcome this solution. “The demands on repairer's parts departments to achieve cost savings are often ignored in the busy day to day running as they simply do not have the time to source alternative parts,” he says.

“By using this system, we can automatically advise the parts manager of the items that are available and the price they will be charged. The ability to add significant parts profits to a repair are there for the taking.”