The
Database Enhancement
Gateway is an initiative
created, funded and
maintained by the ASA,
Automotive Service Association,
the AASP, Alliance of
Automotive Service Providers,
and the SCRS, Society
of Collision Repair
Specialists. The DEG
project has been in
the works for a long
while to moderate the
voice of frustration
from the collision repair
industry and database
providers looking for
accurate labor times
and labor notes. Simply
put, DEG, is designed
to offer estimating
system users a more
standardized and streamlined
process for Database
Inquiries. A process
that DEG will follow
through to conclusion.
The DEG Database Inquiry
process is the mechanism
for questioning or seeking
additional clarification
of a database value
that you feel may be
incorrect or require
additional notations.
It can also be used
to identify missing
information that you
feel is needed to write
a complete and accurate
estimate (missing labor,
missing parts, missing
footnotes, incorrect
illustrations). DEG's
goal is to provide you
with a user-friendly
and streamlined mechanism
in the event you need
to generate a Database
Inquiry. A consistent
form, regardless of
which database is in
question, offers an
ease not previously
available in the U.S.
market.
The website is easy
to read and self-explanatory
- even showing a sample
inquiry form. To file
a database inquiry,
go to www.degweb.org.
New users are encouraged
to read the instructions
and follow simple guidelines.
The more clarification
on the database inquiry
-the better possibility
of a satisfactory conclusion.
Once an inquiry is submitted,
the system user can
expect these emails:
-
Inquiry received by
the DEG
- Inquiry submitted
by the DEG to the Information
Provider
- Information Provider
or DEG requests additional
information
- Response/resolution
received from the Information
Provider
To view all inquiry
activity, go to 'DEG
Database' on their website.
You can monitor all
inquiries: estimating
platform, inquiry description,
date filed and the result
status. In the first
3 months of 2008, over
300 inquiries have been
submitted. Many of these
have created a database
change. You can watch
the activity on the
DEG website, www.degweb.com.
This website also has
valuable basic information
regarding the estimating
process. Audatex, CCC,
and Mitchell have both
large and subtle differences.
Training is emphasized
to better understand
how to generate an estimate,
as well as comparing
an estimate from one
system to another. The
'Get Educated' section
of the site is intended
to provide some basic
understanding of how
Mitchell,CCC and ADP,
the three estimating
platforms, build and
display labor, as well
as some useful reminders
for important items
to be aware of when
writing or interpreting
an estimate. This points
out a basic tenet of
the database estimating
process that all the
databases are developed
and marketed as guides
and are based on NEW
AND UNDAMAGED PARTS
BEING REPLACED ON NEW
AND UNDAMAGED VEHICLES;
therefore your discretion
and experience as a
repair professional
must be used when estimating
a damaged vehicle.
DEG Administrator, Aaron
Schulenberg, comes to
the position with a
strong industry background
and a passion that speaks
to the mission of the
DEG. He is an active
participant in national
industry events, serving
as Treasurer of the
Washington Metropolitan
Auto Body Association,
Director of the National
Auto Body Council, Gold
Pin Sponsor of the Collision
Industry Conference
and member of the Society
of the Collision Repair
Specialists, serving
on the Legislative Committee. |
