Pub. 12 2014-2015 Issue 3

N E W J E R S E Y C O A L I T I O N O F A U T O M O T I V E R E T A I L E R S I S S U E N O . 4 , 2 0 1 4 30 new jersey auto retailer application means that the application is running on your Windows PC, and the tablet is being used as a remote device that connects to the application. The problem with remote solutions is that Windows applications have never been designed to be touch-friendly, so the tablet connections can be slow. Not only that, but accessing ap- plications remotely requires the use of a dedicated PC, which means that even if a Service Writer is in the service lane with his tablet, nobody else can use his PC. Design of the Service Lane Another consideration before implementing tablets is how a dealership’s service lane is designed. Creating a tablet-friendly atmosphere in the service lane is helpful if a dealer wants their employees to fully embrace using tablets. Having one of more flat surfaces at standing height is important, so if someone needs to enter data, they can quickly set the tablet on a stand and type in what they need to (consider having a couple of stands and key- boards for this purpose). How often do Service Writers pop open a hood to take a look at the engine? Where do they set the tablet? Dealers may consider installing a stand nearby for them to set it on, or have some type of belt or holder to tuck the tablet into. If your service drive is uncovered, using a tablet in the rain or snow can be tricky. Tablets are designed for in- door use and don’t incorporate Gorilla glass or other rug- ged features like the Toughbooks used by cable and UPS workers. Therefore, installing a cover to prevent tablets from getting wet may be a good idea. Also, touch screens have difficulty sensing cold or wet fingers. Providing staff with touch screen gloves made with conductive fabrics can alleviate this problem. In order to decide which tablet is right for a dealership’s particular circumstances, create a needs list and research which operating system and web browser are the most compatible with the dealership’s OEM and DMS applica- tions. Choosing a tablet based on meeting business objec- tives rather than personal preference will deliver the most benefits to the Service Department. Praveen Tamvada is Director of Product Strategy at Auto/Mate Dealership Systems, overseeing all of company’s product strategy, design and development. He can be reached at 877.829.7020. Automotive HR Solutions provides quality outsourced hu- man resource services to automo- tive dealerships across the tri-state region. We specialize in a variety of services designed to help dealerships maximize their time, profits and em- ployee retention without the worry of maintaining an in-house HR department. Outsourcing HR services allows the auto- motive dealership to focus on its core busi- ness – the sales and service of automobiles. We will develop a customized human re- source solution that will meet the unique needs of your dealership! CALLSandyShectman for a free consultation. Labor relations negotiations and strategies | Wage and hour compliance | Recordkeeping compliance and system development | Turnover monitoring | ESI surveys | Enhance employee morale | Compensation planning and analysis | And much more….. Fully Insured | www.autohrsolutions.com TRUSTED STRATEGIC PARTNERS FOR: DEPARTMENT  continued from page 29