The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Database Task Force, comprised of representatives from the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP), the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) met recently with representatives from Audatex, a Solera company, as part of a series of meetings with information providers.

The meeting, which spanned two days, was spent covering macro-level issues including but not limited to: substrate identification, specific OEM repair and replace procedures, blending formulas, refinishing flexible substrates, disclosure of database changes, the request for review process and two- way communication (eliminating re-keying of estimate data).

“Audatex is making a significant investment in enhancing our database as the only global claims solutions provider,” says Scott Jenkins, Sr. Director of Audatex. “Our hosting of the two-day summit with the CIC Database Task Force is one of the key initiatives that Audatex is undertaking in having proactive, ongoing and open dialogue with our industry partners. We also affirmed to the Task Force our commitment to regular, on-going procedure studies to ensure that our database reflects the current repair methodologies.”

ASA Collision Division Chairman, Darrell Amberson states, “Audatex’s commitment to the Task Force and the industry is apparent. An example is their solution to addressing two-way communication. To date, they are the only information provider to implement a solution that allows repairers to download estimates from their website that was prepared by their staff.”

 “The formation of the Task Force was a direct result of the lack of disclosure of significant database changes,” says SCRS Board Director Barry Dorn. “Audatex clearly understands the industry’s concern, and is willing to continue working with the Task Force to provide a solution. It is our hope that an announcement will be forthcoming in the ensuing months that puts Audatex at the forefront of change when it comes to database disclosure.”

As a result of the meeting, Audatex has added several of the Task Force members to its advisory council. The Task Force will continue to report upon the progress made with Audatex in addition to the two other information providers at future Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meetings.