1. The Roll of OEM Scan Tools in Aftermarket Repair Shops
C.A.S. of New England

2. ? Who is C.A.S. ? Mission Statement
To provide only the best quality scan tools, information and after sales support to the automotive aftermarket repair industry through an organized network of professional automotive consultants…
C.A.S. of New England

3. ? Who is C.A.S. ? Offices located in New England
16 years of learning & growing [“Pach Kaahs”]
Direct Technical Sales Force
Direct coverage of eastern half of USA
Web presence :
Scan Tools are our only focus
Aftermarket / Specialty / OEM / HD / Laptop’s
We Offer ‘Turn Key’ VAR Solutions
Hardware - Software -Training - Support …
C.A.S. of New England

4. ? Who is C.A.S. ? Our Typical Customer?
Aftermarket Repair Shop
Fleet Garages
Multi Store Chains
New and Used Car Dealers
Vocational Schools
Currently support 4,200 shop locations representing an estimated 5,700 ‘active’ scan tools including laptop based platforms…
C.A.S. of New England

5. Topic Areas Scan Tool Linguistics
What drives I/A towards OEM level tooling
What drives them away from OEM tooling
Future trends that one can expect to see
Items and issues that can shift the future…
C.A.S. of New England

6. Definitions of Scan Tools
OEM Scan Tool: The current or past scan tool that is the exact same item as used in the franchised dealer service department
OEM Level Scan Tool: Any tool that any aftermarket scan tool company wishes to term as such.
Aftermarket Scan Tool: Any scan tool built for industry use that is not a recognized OEM scan tool. Coverage to include Dom / Asian / Euro.
Specialty Scan Tool: A scan tool with a particular car line(s) focus. Euro only, Euro/Asian, VW/Audi only, Volvo only, etc. Typically if it does not attempt to cover the ‘Domestic Big 3’ it is not considered ‘general purpose’…
C.A.S. of New England

7. What Drives Shops Towards OEM Tooling?
Frustrations with Aftermarket Tooling
What vehicles does it actually cover?
What sub-systems are in the coverage
Special Functions missing
Data Errors
Cost of updates w/out improvement in operation
Some still are looking for the ‘Holy Grail’…
C.A.S. of New England

8. What Drives Shops Towards OEM Tooling?
Efficiencies Realized with OEM Tools
38% Tech Productivity Increase w/ OEM scanners (?)
Topology Map of the car ECU’s!
Who’s reporting? Who has codes?
Pending Calibration files indicated and available!
Key Coding / Security System access!
Maybe 38% isn’t that hard to believe!…
C.A.S. of New England

9. What Drives Shops Towards OEM Tooling?
The Desire to Compete and Stay Current
Costs associated with sending cars out
50/50 Parts - Labor mix
$80/Hr Labor = $160/Hr lost revenue
Poor experience at dealers / Closing dealers
Prior experience with OEM Level Tools
Past Dealership experience with an OEM Tool…
C.A.S. of New England

10. What Drives Shops Away from OEM Tools?
Initial Cost of Entry as a % of GPM
NE Shops $ K Gross Revenue
Confusion over what tool to buy
DRB-III / StarScan / StarMobile / Wi-Tech
Confusion on compatibility between tools
One laptop for every tool?
Who co-exists with who on the PC?
C.A.S. of New England

11. What Drives Shops Away from OEM Tools?
Lack of Comfort in the Windows/PC world
Who sets it up? – How do I repair it?
Fear of OEM tools obsolescence
Ford IDS Noise?! – GM Tech-2 / MDI
Cost of Maintaining Multiple OEM Tools
Subscriptions must be paid or function stop
‘Time Bombs’…
C.A.S. of New England

12. Individual Responses to ‘The OEM Situation’
Stay the Course (aka: Do nothing)
Stick with Aftermarket Tools only
Specialize in one/two/three car lines
Honda/Acura – GM/Ford/Chrysler
Contract OEM Level Services out
ECU Reflash / Security Issues (keys)
Buy as many tools as business will allow
- Wife will allow -‘Tool Freaks’ found here…
C.A.S. of New England

13. Industry Wide Trends that will Shape the Future Shop
C.A.S. of New England

14. Industry Wide Trends That Will Shape the Future Shop
A Single Location Aftermarket Shop ?
1st General Purpose Aftermarket Scanner
1st line of attack! Quick - Easy - Dependable
2nd Specialty Scanner
This tool is there to fill the holes of 1st scanner
3rd OEM Scan Tool or tools
4th J-2534 device...
C.A.S. of New England

15. Industry Wide Trends That Will Shape the Future Shop
Meet the ‘Mobile Diagnostic Super Tech’
Multiple OEM tools on board his mobile truck
Internet enabled (3G/4G)
Lots of on-going experience w common problems
Non-Compete situation with independent shop
Allows a fix that includes some profit for the shop
Transparent to the customer/vehicle owner!...
C.A.S. of New England

16. Industry Wide Trends That Will Shape the Future Shop
Increasing # of ‘Pods of Shops’
Small groups of independent shops
Combined purchase of needed OEM tooling
Tools/Laptop shared between shops ‘as-needed’
Designated central location as ‘home’
UPS / Parts House / Employees act as ‘mules’
Tool costs are shared…
C.A.S. of New England

17. Industry Wide Trends That Will Shape the Future Shop
‘Hub and Spoke’ Arrangements
Typically used by multi-store chains
Multiple OEM scanners at central ‘hub’ location
Other stores ‘Spokes’ send work to ‘Hub’ shop
Advice is provided by ‘Hub’ on viability of repair
Leverages chains ‘Top Techs’ skills
Helps uncover internal issues…
C.A.S. of New England

18. Industry Issues That Can Alter The Future
C.A.S. of New England

19. Issues That Can Alter the Future
Single Channel Source for OEM Tooling
Trend is for OEM’s to direct all orders to 1 party
Lack of competition produces poor results
DRB-III’s months to obtain any due to ‘parts’
IDS’ Typically on back order every 60 days
Subaru Tool – 12 weeks typical wait time
Delivery deadlines routinely not met
Providing dual channels for delivery would help…
C.A.S. of New England

20. Issues That Can Alter the Future
Method of providing service to aftermarket
Web based solution for tools delivery is easy
Web based solution for tool repair not so easy
I think it’s broke?
Send an and wait for response
Receive an response with suggested C of A
Send an with results of C of A
Receive an with directions of next step
Repeat above steps - OR - - Tool is shipping out for repair…
C.A.S. of New England

21. Issues That Can Alter the Future
Trend to shut down tools / penalize owners
Ford’s IDS Subscription Policy
$500 - $550/yr updates and cal files
Expire and you eventually lose ability to re-flash (60-90)
Renew after being out of subscription for months (8 months)
Penalty fee of $500 for back filling past months
Plus $ renewal fee
180 days later and you have to renew again at $
This situation drives I/A away from OEM tooling
C.A.S. of New England

22. Issues That Can Alter the Future
Telematics ‘On-Star’ or ‘Non Star’
Some feel this is a huge threat to Aftermarket
Scan tool manufactures wonder if it will effect them
Aftermarket shops fear being out maneuvered
Access to OEM level Telematics may be a huge game changer depending on direction of OEM’s
NASTF / ETI involvement may be critical…
C.A.S. of New England

23. Issues That Can Alter the Future
Cloned OEM hardware and software
Continued issue for all parties
OEM’s
Aftermarket Shops
Scan Tool Manufacturers
Actions to limit/stop cloning will effect what the future of scan tool development looks like…
C.A.S. of New England

24. Issues That Can Alter the Future
J-2534 Type Device Developments
Will this be the ‘Holy Grail’ ?
Laptop / iPad / Tablet PC
J-2534 device
Common interface for multiple OEM’s
Daily day pass for any car line
Cloud Computing at it’s finest…!?!
C.A.S. of New England

25. SUMMARY
Technology changes will continue as we have all come to accept. The future in some cases is fairly clear, but in other areas still fuzzy and uncertain.
What is certain is that the wants, needs and desires of the aftermarket repair shop owner have not really changed at all over the years.
There is great opportunity for all who listen and respond to those customers wishes...!
C.A.S. of New England

26. The Roll of OEM Scan Tools in Aftermarket Repair Shops
? Questions / Comments ?
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Contact info
C.A.S. of New England