Abstract:
A computer-implemented method and apparatus is provided for tracking a vehicle during a vehicle-related multi-step process. A vehicle identifier is received for uniquely identifying a vehicle. A delay reason is received for why the vehicle was delayed during at least one of the multi-step processes. An association is stored among the delay reason, the step at which the vehicle delay occurred, and the vehicle identifier. The stored association is used to identify at least one delay reason for the vehicle. The method and apparatus also analyze business aspects of the vehicle-related multi-step process and succinctly summarize the business analysis with respect to performance, priorities, projections, and production workforce shift profiles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/602,922, filed Jun. 23, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a computer-implemented vehicle processing facility analysis system, more particularly, to a networked and distributed computer-implemented vehicle repair facility analysis system.  
           [0004]    2. Background and Summary of the Invention  
           [0005]    Vehicle repair shops handle a large volume of vehicles. Vehicles remain many days within the shops since the repair process has many time consuming steps. For example in a typical collision repair process, vehicles undergo a vehicle disassembly step, frame repair step, metal repair step, preparation step, painting step, reassembly step, and testing step. Delays invariably arise from a number of sources. Exemplary delay sources include the incorrect parts being delivered or an insurance company not quickly processing a vehicle collision claim.  
           [0006]    Due to the large volume that repair shops handle, repair shop managers find it difficult to correctly diagnose what delays occur enough times to warrant correction. The delays that occur most frequently might be able to be diagnosed. However, delays that occur less frequently escape detection and correction.  
           [0007]    Not only is the diagnosis of vehicle delays problematic, but it is difficult for a shop owner to obtain in a relatively straightforward way a comprehensive view of how the owner&#39;s shop is performing in terms of facility potential, profit potential and other factors relative to other shops, let alone know how it is performing relative to the top vehicle repair shops. Business analysis software packages exist, but are typically not directed to as many specifics (e.g., cycle time analysis, facility shift, and other factors) of a vehicle repair shop, and therefore are less complete. A non-limiting specific example includes the amount of paint used by technicians in the repair process. Typical business analysis software packages are not directed to analyzing the usage of paint and how such usage compares with other shops.  
           [0008]    The present invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages as well as other disadvantages. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a computer-implemented method and apparatus is provided for tracking a vehicle during a vehicle-related multi-step process. A vehicle identifier is received for uniquely identifying a vehicle. A delay reason is received for why the vehicle was delayed during at least one of the multi-step processes. An association is stored among the delay reason, the step at which the vehicle delay occurred, and the vehicle identifier. The stored association is used to identify at least one delay reason for the vehicle.  
           [0009]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method and apparatus are provided for analyzing a vehicle facility processing business. A business performance data structure is stored in the memory of at least one computer that is used to summarize business performance data related to the business. A business priority data structure is stored in the computer memory in order to summarize business priorities related to the business. A business projection data structure is stored in the computer memory in order to summarize business projections data related to the business. A production workforce shift profile data structure is stored in the memory in order to summarize production workforce shifts related to the business. A business summary report is generated using the business performance data structure, the business priorities data structure, the business projection data structure, and the workforce shift data structure.  
           [0010]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a system block diagram depicting the computer-implemented vehicle facility repair analysis system;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a software module data flow diagram depicting the data flow among software modules of the present invention utilized to generate business analysis data;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a structure chart depicting the web site structure of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a computer screen display depicting a succinct recap of business performance, priorities, projections, and production workforce shift report that was generated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a computer screen display depicting a vehicle tracking and cycle time assessment data processing screen;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a computer screen display depicting the display of data associated with sales and marketing data;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a computer screen display depicting the entry and display of detailed data associated with sales and marketing data of FIG. 6;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a computer screen display displaying the result of entering data via the computer screen display of FIG. 7;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a computer screen display depicting the display of data that was provided via the computer screen of FIG. 7;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  are a computer screen display depicting the entry and display of company financial data, owner&#39;s priority data, personnel &amp; facility data, and technician workshift data; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 depicts a computer screen showing how an user&#39;s shop compares to other shops in selected measures. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 depicts a collision repair facility  30  being connected to a business analysis and transaction computer server  34  via a network such as the Internet  38 . Collision repair facility  30  uses computer server  34  to analyze the collision repair facility&#39;s performance, priorities, business projections and workforce shifts.  
         [0024]    At collision repair facility  30 , computer  42  provides an interface  46  for an user to facility  30  to communicate with computer server  34 . In the preferred embodiment, computer  42  is situated within facility  30  so that the status of a vehicle can be efficiently tracked as it is being repaired in facility  30 . However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the user being only situated within the collision repair facility  30 , but also includes an user physically remote from facility  30  but has knowledge of the vehicle&#39;s status in facility  30  wherein the process a vehicle is.  
         [0025]    User  50  provides financial and other facility-related data so that business analysis module  60  that resides on computer server  34  can analyze the user-provided data. Business analysis module  60  examines user-provided financial, facility, personnel information, and priority assessment data to provide to the user an assessment of the collision repair facility&#39;s strengths, weaknesses, areas of opportunities, and business projections. For example, business analysis module  60  can indicate to user  50  that based upon the user-provided input data, facility  30  has an opportunity for growth relative to industry guidelines. Module  60  can also indicate to the user how well facility  30  is doing relative to the top 25% of all other collision repair facility shops.  
         [0026]    As another non-limiting example, business analysis module  60  receives from computer  42  vehicle repair processing cycle time data. The cycle time data includes not only at what step a vehicle is within the vehicle repair process, but also includes delay reasons and delay time amounts for any delays that have occurred at a step in the repair process. Business analysis module  60  uses the data to identify whether facility  30  has as one of its strengths a relatively fast time to process a vehicle repair.  
         [0027]    Business analysis module  60  also can indicate what equipment the facility  30  can use to actualize opportunities or to overcome weaknesses in one or more areas. Business transaction module  64  interacts with business analysis module  60  and user  50  to automate the process of buying for user  50  the equipment that would improve the operations of facility  30 . For example, if the business analysis module  60  had identified that facility  30  has a chronic problem of a shortage of movable carts. Business transaction module  64  is used to identify for the user sellers of movable carts. In this manner, the purchase of needed items is automated for the user by the present invention.  
         [0028]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a paint supply company provides the present invention to the owner of a collision repair shop. Through use by the owner of module  64  to purchase items, the present invention can recommend products and services offered by the paint supply company, or products and services offered by companies that have co-branded with the paint supply company. The paint supply company providing the present invention also increases loyalty of the owner to the paint supply company even if no non-paint items are ordered.  
         [0029]    Due to the networked environment in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, multiple collision facilities  56  can use computer server  34  to analyze and to transact business. However, it should be understood that the present invention can also be given to users on a computer storage medium (such as a CD-ROM). The user uses the software to analyze and transact business.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 depicts data input and processing performed by business analysis module  60 . An user provides customer financial data  80 , customer, facility and personnel information  84 , customer assessment of priorities  88 , and production shift information  89  in order for business analysis module  60  to identify best practices  92 , analytical worksheets  96 , and forms and policies of the business  100 . For example, customer financial data  80  includes refinish labor sales and other data items depicted in FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  shown by reference numeral  80 . Customer, facility and personnel information  84  includes number of metal stall including frame and other data items depicted in FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  shown by reference numeral  84 . Customer assessment of priorities  88  includes prioritizing financial measures and other items depicted in FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  shown by reference numeral  88 . Production shift information  89  includes number of day shift technicians and other data items depicted in FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  shown by reference numeral  89 .  
         [0031]    The present invention associates many best practices with the correct form to use. An example of such an association between best practice and the correct form is the efficient capability to track vehicle and cycle time (for example, see FIG. 5). By clicking on the form to include it in the shop owner&#39;s personal inventory, the shop owner can create a customized Operations Manual.  
         [0032]    In order to most efficiently and effectively acquire and generate the desired information, a website is provided to the user as depicted in FIG. 3. At the top of the structure, is a 2020 recap web page  120  that provides a succinct presentation of key performance indicators (KPIs), business owner&#39;s priorities, financial projections, and the production workforce shift profile associated with the facility. In order to provide the data needed to generate the succinct business presentation, various data input web pages are provided, such as the categories web pages  124  and the update my personal reports web page  128 . The category web pages  124  allow the user to enter data into the present invention (see, for example, FIGS.  6 - 9 ). The update web pages  128  allow the user to customize reports to better fit the particular needs of the user.  
         [0033]    “What if? scenarios” web pages  133  allow the user to examine the effect of changing certain parameters, such as financial parameters, upon the user&#39;s facility. Data entry web page  135  allows the user to provide data specifically for the 2020 recap results summary web page  120 . An example of data entry web page  135  is FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b.    
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 depicts a 2020 recap which is a succinct presentation by the present invention of how well the collision repair facility is doing. Within the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the following areas or their equivalent are provided: a performance summary  200 , a priority summary  204 , a projection summary  208 , and a production workforce shift profile summary  212 .  
         [0035]    Performance summary  200  is generated using a performance data structure with the structure depicted within region  216 . The business performance data structure includes selected key performance indicators, facility/shop data, industry guidelines, a top 25% indicator, and whether opportunities exist to improve the business. For example, a key performance indicator within data structure  216  includes a production efficiency amount for the facility, industry guidelines, and top 25% indicator. As another example, total gross profit percent is provided for the shop, industry guides, and top 25%. An opportunity in this example has been identified by the present invention that the user&#39;s shop has a total gross profit percent of 38.5% which is below the 40.0% industry guideline and well below the top 25% value of 43.5%. An opportunity indicator  220  is generated by the present invention for the user to explicitly show that the user&#39;s shop can grow in this area in order to be more competitive relative to other shops. Specific aspects of the shop, such as paint, can be studied and analyzed by the present invention. For example, monthly paint gallons of waste per paint technician is provided as an indicator for the user to review.  
         [0036]    As another example, opportunity indicator  222  is generated by the present invention for the user to explicitly show that based upon the shop&#39;s monthly sales and number of staff employees the user&#39;s shop can most likely generate additional profits without adding staff.  
         [0037]    In the preferred embodiment, performance data structure  216  includes the following indicators: annualized total sales amount, total gross profit percent, production proficiency, production staffing density (main shift), monthly sales per administrative employee, monthly sales per estimator, paint cost per paint hour billed, monthly gallons waste per paint technician, overall customer satisfaction index, and gross profit dollar amount per technician clock hour.  
         [0038]    With selected performance indicators such as efficiency and staffing density, the user sees a spectrum of actual values and the shop&#39;s position on the spectrum. The user is neither intimidated by group averages that are high nor stifled by a low target. The user will find the performances of real shops at the shop owner&#39;s current performance and at any level of performance considered.  
         [0039]    For example, FIG. 11 depicts a computer screen showing how an user&#39;s shop compares to other shops, and not just how the user&#39;s shop compares with the top 25% of all shops. In this example, column  237  on FIG. 11 depicts that the user&#39;s shop is above average for technician production efficiency relative to other shops as shown by reference numeral  241 . Column  239  depicts that the user&#39;s shop is below average for stalls per technician (main shift only) as shown by reference numeral  243 .  
         [0040]    With reference back to FIG. 4, a business priorities data structure is depicted within region  240  in order to store and to display business priority information relevant to the user&#39;s shop. The business priorities data structure  240  includes business areas and indicators as to how strong the shop is within the areas. For example, a priority as selected by the user is the financial performance of the shop. Based upon the user&#39;s financial input data in this example, the financial performance of the shop is indicated as being relatively weak by the owner as shown by the strength indicator  244 . If the user wanted to see the data and the calculation methods by which key performance indicators  200  were generated, the user clicks upon tab  248  to obtain greater detail about the data used to generate the performance indicators  200 . In the preferred embodiment, owner priorities data structure  240  includes financial measures, financial performance, sales and marketing, customer satisfaction index, and insurance relations including cycle time, administration (general), administration (parts), production (general), production (refinish), facility (capacity, equipment, layout), and personnel including pay plans and incentives.  
         [0041]    Projections summary  208  uses data structure  250  to handle the projections data associated with the shop. The data structure  250  includes performance factors, sales, gross profit, the additional amount of gross profit that would be generated given a certain level of improvement. Projections data structure  250  allows the user to pose “what if” scenarios for assessing how much improvement the user shop would experience given different situations.  
         [0042]    For example, the second performance factor in projections data structure  250  is directed to posing a “what if” scenario of what would be the increase in profits with a 10% improvement in production proficiency. Based upon the user&#39;s supplied input data, the projections module determines that with the a 10% improvement in production proficiency, the gross profit of the shop would be improved by $24,000 with sales of $1,470,000 and a gross profit of $540,000.  
         [0043]    In the preferred embodiment, projections data structure  250  includes the following performance factors: current performance (annualized), “with 10% improvement in production efficiency” “performance with one additional technician” “with 10% improvement in parts:labor ratio”, “with 2% improvement in labor gross profit”, “with 2% improvement in parts gross profit” “with 2% improvement in materials gross profit” and “with cumulative impact of all improvements”.  
         [0044]    The production workforce shift profile summary  212  is generated using a production workforce data structure  260  that includes main shift only data, main shift plus overtime or Saturday data, main shift and second shift data, and main shift/second shift and Saturday data. Within summary  212 , the dark portions  264  that the shop has a main shift plus an overtime shift, while the lighter portions  268  indicate that there is not a second shift nor a Saturday operations shift. The present invention utilizes within data structure  260  a breakout of the main shift from the other shifts, such as the second shift. In this manner, the present invention is better able to assess facility utilization and potential for greater facility utilization. By the present invention&#39;s identifying main shift employees separately from second shift employees, the shop owner can not only obtain a better perspective of the utilization of the facility, but also have a more practical evaluation of actual stalls per technician for the primary shift.  
         [0045]    If the user wanted to see how the data was generated or to input new data into the business analysis module, the user identifies within priority summary section  204  which priority detail needs examination. As an example, if the user wanted to enter in data for the first time relative to “insurance relations including cycle time”, which is the fifth priority within summary section  204 , the user clicks upon tab button  272 . Upon clicking tab button  272 , the user is directed to the insurance and cycle time area which would include the computer screen of FIG. 5.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 5 depicts a data entry and data display computer screen related to vehicle tracking and cycle time measurements and assessments. The present invention uses data structure  304  with the attributes listed in row  300  or equivalents thereof.  
         [0047]    Cycle time data structure  304  includes a vehicle identifier to uniquely identify a vehicle that is undergoing a repair process. For example, the vehicle can be identified by an unique repair number supplied by the shop, a customer name, vehicle brand, vehicle year, and beginning date of the repair.  
         [0048]    Data structure  304  also includes the steps which the vehicle is to undergo for repair. If the repair is due to a vehicle accident which would include a vehicle frame reconstruction and repainting, then typical repair steps include the vehicle disassembly step, frame repair step, metal repair step, preparation step, painting step, reassembly step, and testing step. Data structure  304  not only tracks what step a vehicle is presently at but also includes whether a vehicle remains at a step for time greater than a predetermined amount. In the preferred embodiment, codes as shown in region  308  are placed at a step where a delay has occurred. For example, a “PI” code is used to indicate that the reason for delay was that there was a delay in delivery of the parts. A number preceding the code indicates the amount of time associated with the delay. In the preferred embodiment, the number indicates the additional days of delay, such as, for example, “2P2” indicates that there was a two day delay at a particular step due to incorrect parts being delivered. Accordingly, if for a vehicle at the frame repair step the code “2P2” appears, this indicates that there was a delay for two days for a vehicle where the frame could not be operated upon due to incorrect parts being delivered.  
         [0049]    If a particular shop receives an inordinate amount of code “P2&#39;s”, then this would indicate that there is a chronic problem of incorrect parts being delivered, possibly for example from a single source for a single brand of vehicle. This delay would adversely affect the strength indicator for cycle time and would also indicate that the problem could be addressed such as by possibly ordering parts from another supply shop for vehicles of that brand.  
         [0050]    In the preferred embodiment, the present invention also includes the source category of the parts, such as whether the parts category is an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts category, or an after market parts category, or a salvage parts category, or other types of parts category. Another embodiment includes using additional attributes to store the source category of the parts.  
         [0051]    Data structure  304  includes the date upon which the vehicle&#39;s repair was completed as well as the final total amount expended to perform the repair. Thus, data structure  304  not only tracks the vehicle through a multi-step process, but also performs cycle time measurement by noting the amount of time of delay. The present invention performs cycle time analysis by providing the reason for the delay.  
         [0052]    In the preferred embodiment, when a car enters each step, a symbol such as a “-- --” is entered in data structure  304 . Each day, all vehicles in the vehicle repair facility are reviewed. If a vehicle has been worked upon for at least five hours, then nothing additionally is noted for the vehicle in data structure  304 . However, if less than five hours has been expended for working upon a car, then the reason for the delay as well as the current delay time amount is entered into the appropriate step in data structure  304 .  
         [0053]    Data structure  304  also includes target analysis where desired target time repair values are compared against the actual time expended to repair a vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the target analysis includes the number of labor hours sold, the labor hours divided by five hours, actual business days expended to repair the vehicle, and a cycle time efficiency metric. For example, if the number of labor hours sold to complete a vehicle repair process was 30 hours, the labor hours divided by 5 value would be 6. If the actual days expended was 7 instead of the targeted six days, then the cycle time efficiency would indicate that 1 day had been lost.  
         [0054]    Data structure  304  includes the insurance company being associated with a vehicle repair in order to capture delays associated with an insurance company. For example, if an inordinate number of “I1” insurance approval delay codes have been entered in data structure  304  for a particular insurance company, then the owner of the vehicle can be told that the reason for the delay was not the repair shop, but rather the insurance company that the vehicle&#39;s owner presently uses and that this insurance company is chronically late inspecting damaged vehicles.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 6 provides an example of an user entering and viewing the detailed information used to generate sales and marketing summary information. In particular, FIG. 6 is associated with the selling and sources of the business. The present invention provides multiple areas in this category for the user to provide information about their business. For example, the present invention asks for information related to a customer&#39;s first impression of the user&#39;s facility. A user clicks upon button  350  via a pointing device (such as a computer mouse) to see more detailed questions asked by the present invention as well as have access to an action planner for adding particular checklist items to the user&#39;s business plan. Upon clicking button  350 , the user in this example is taken to the computer screen depicted in FIG. 7.  
         [0056]    With respect to FIG. 7, more detailed questions are asked about the user&#39;s facility. For example, regarding the customer&#39;s first impression of the facility, more detailed information is gathered via region  380 . Questions include but are not limited to the user ranking overall impression of the shop from the street as being nonapplicable, weak, average or strong. Even more detailed questions may be asked regarding the overall impression by focusing the user upon the shop&#39;s signage, general appearance of the building and whether the shop has a clear and wide entrance. If the user deems necessary, such as if the user upon reflection believes that one or more of these questions indicate a weakness, the user can select to add this particular question to a 90-day business plan of the facility or add it to a one-year business plan of the facility. It should be understood that the present invention also includes the present invention allowing the user to bypass FIG. 6 and proceed directly to the detailed questions of FIG. 7.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 8 provides an example of the present invention generating results after the user has provided information to the questions presented in FIG. 7. For example, the signage question produced a weak response, the general appearance of the building produced a relatively strong response, while the clear and wide entrance question produced a very weak response. These responses as well as the other responses associated with the questions of region  380  contributed to a customer&#39;s first impression of the facility as being weak as shown by reference numeral  384 . The user selected both the signage as well as clear and wide entrance questions to be added to the 90-day business plan.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 9 shows the same computer screen as FIG. 7, however populated with information supplied by the user. The results of the responses supplied by the user on FIG. 9 shows the strength indicator relative to the customer&#39;s first impression of your facility by reference numeral  384 . In this example, the user has supplied other information that the present invention is used to generate the strength indicators for the remaining business aspects in FIG. 9.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  show another example of the present invention acquiring data in order to provide business analysis to the user. The computer screen depicted in FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  shows a customer data entry form for providing detailed information about the user as well as sales information and how many technicians work, on which days, for how many hours, and for which shift. This information is aggregated by the present invention and shown to the user in the succinct format depicted in FIG. 4.  
         [0060]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications that would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. For example, the present invention is not limited to vehicle collision repair shops, but extends to other multi-process vehicle operations or multi-process non-vehicle operations, such as but not limited to vehicle sales operations. For example, a vehicle sales operation shop uses the present invention to analyze its business relative to performance, priorities, projections, and production workforce shift profiles.