Mitchell International unveiled its new integrated RepairCenter solution at a press conference at NACE, providing a look at what the company says is an entirely new category of software – a modular "shop workspace" system that includes business, repair and customer service applications in a single solution.

Paint caps have been a fact of life for collision shops for 20 years or more now, and they can have a significant effect on profits. On Thursday, Pete Petursson, owner of Absolute Collision in Shelby, N.C., discussed "Paint Caps: How to Eliminate Them in Your Store Forever," and provided tips on working with (and around) paint caps when dealing with insurers.

While collision repair is still largely a male industry, increasing numbers of women have entered the body shop, both as owners and even technicians.

As vehicles come equipped with an increasing number of computer modules, it's possible to make some repairs by doing a computer reflash. Performing flash reprogramming on a vehicle can improve fuel mileage, solve transmission problems, correct false trouble codes and other issues. Often these procedures are performed at dealerships, but independent repair shops also can perform reflashing, provided they have the right tools and training.

Tough economic times have led many collision shops to resort to drastic cuts in staff, training and equipment in order to stay afloat. But there are many often overlooked opportunities for shops to reduce their materials, parts and overhead costs without negatively impacting their business or their employees.

Insurance companies have begun asking shops to use more salvage parts, which has led to even more interaction between the collision and salvage industries.

A new mobile phone application from Summit Mobile Solutions, a division of Summit Software Solutions, could help drive new business to collision shops by providing them with immediate notifications from customers when they are in an accident.

New vehicle technologies developed by OEMs will continue to challenge both the technical skills and financial acumen of the collision repair industry. That was the message delivered by Bill Haas, vice president of education and training at the Automotive Service Association, during his Wednesday morning session at NACE, "New Vehicle Technology – Arriving at Your Shop Soon!"

In the automotive service market, custom paint shops are in the unique and enviable position of having customers that are almost always happy to see them. It's rare that anyone willingly goes to a collision repair shop; your customers are there because they just wrecked their cars. At a custom shop, the customer is there because he loves his car.