“Enhanced Diagnostic Solutions.”
Combined Bosch and ALLDATA Program
Enhances Shop Productivity, Efficiency
A White Paper
by Craig Staude and Bernie Carr,
Bosch Diagnostics Business Unit
Presented at AAPEX 2009
Las Vegas, Nevada
November 4, 2009
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Bosch Shop Foreman Pro v6.0 integrates with ALLDATA Repair
iSHOP3 for greater productivity and technician proficiency
IN ITS LATEST VERSION OF SHOP FOREMAN PRO PC application software
v6.0, Bosch Diagnostics has adopted iSHOP3 specification functions from
ALLDATA® RepairSM to allow immediate access to the latest Web-based, service
information for OE diagnostic procedures and technical service bulletins, along
with the ability to integrate with other computer workstations and operating
systems within a service center.
Shop Foreman Pro is diagnostic and record management software that can be
integrated with multiple shop management systems. ALLDATA is the automotive
service industry’s leading provider of manufacturers’ repair information, including
diagnostic trouble code (DTC) data and technical service bulletins (TSBs).
The Bosch Diagnostics and ALLDATA cooperative program is called “Enhanced
Diagnostics Solutions.”
With Enhanced Diagnostics Solutions, vehicle DTCs are used to automatically
retrieve vehicle service information from ALLDATA Repair, and incorporate this
data in Shop Foreman Pro activities. The joint effort between Bosch Diagnostics
and ALLDATA, represented by Shop Foreman Pro v6.0 with iSHOP3 offers the
following advantages for repair shops:

Service information integrated with diagnostic tools

Increased technician productivity and shop profitability through
streamlined access to data
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
Up-to-date service information

Streamlined access to repair information prompted by the diagnostics tool

The integration of workflow means greater efficiencies from counter to
fender, including appointment scheduling, write up, repair order
generation, diagnosing, parts ordering, repairing, and invoicing

Time savings and reduced duplication of effort

24/7 availability
Internet access to service information from the ALLDATA iSHOP3 server, once
again, allows the technician to access the latest service information immediately
online – as opposed to waiting for a DVD to update the local service information
database.
Automatic Vehicle Identification
Once the vehicle is connected to Shop Foreman Pro, through diagnostic
hardware such as the Bosch Mastertech VCI, or other diagnostic hardware
utilizing a personal computer, the program provides automatic vehicle
identification to quickly locate applicable technical service bulletins through Webbased service information provided by ALLDATA.
This program also automatically determines the presence of diagnostic trouble
codes (DTCs) set in the vehicle’s electronic control units (ECUs) and presents
the applicable diagnostic trouble code articles. To further streamline the
diagnostic process, this program also provides a DTC search function allowing
the technician to enter the DTC and rapidly find the service information article,
without having to search through document or Web pages. In addition, this
program offers an open-search function where the technician can query all
diagnostic information.
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Furthermore, the technician can reference the repair order (RO) through Shop
Foreman Pro at the workbench – or even at the vehicle with a laptop -- simply by
entering the RO number in the program. He or she also can notate the RO and
include diagnostic information from the workbench, rather than losing valuable
time waiting for the service writer to enter the information separately.
Interconnectivity Designed to Increase Productivity
All these enhancements are designed to increase technician productivity.
Several shop management programs already allow interconnectivity among
service writers, the parts department and the cashier. Including the technician in
the loop with Shop Foreman Pro and ALLDATA with iSHOP3 allows for valuable
input directly from the shop.
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For example, when used with the Bosch MTS 5200 Engine Analyzer, which
features an oscilloscope, the technician can add a readout to the repair order that
shows where a cylinder is misfiring. And, the technician can add diagnostic
trouble codes to the RO, as well as information such as before and after
alignment specifications, once again eliminating the need to re-key the
information with the service writer.
Existing Functions Intact
At the same time, all traditional Shop Foreman Pro functions are still available,
including diagnostic tool support for scans tools, reprogramming, engine
analyzers, gas analyzers and noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) analyzers.
Shop management connectivity includes compatibility with popular shop
management programs, technician management or the repair order, diagnostic
information, and vehicle, as well as customer history file save functions.
ALLDATA iSHOP3 Content Server
iSHOP is an interconnectivity standard developed with the cooperation of leading
makers of shop equipment, management software, and information services who
agreed to incorporate the iSHOP standard in their software. Adopting the
iSHOP3 connectivity standard developed by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry
Association (AAIA) committee, ALLDATA provides integration with its online
products through a full-production, online server that allows other systems in the
shop to share ALLDATA repair information, including parts and labor data,
specifications, diagrams and repair procedures any time and anywhere.
iSHOP is a set of computer interface standards that enables shop equipment
from a variety of makers to share information about the customer, the vehicle and
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the service work performed – all without re-entering information multiple times or
moving from one computer to another. With iSHOP, technicians can remain
focused on the service of the vehicle because the information required is
available at their fingertips.
AAIA-developed iSHOP3 is an open standard designed to let unrelated
computer-based products and services in an auto repair facility work together as
one seamlessly integrated shop information system. In addition to allowing
integration with ALLDATA products, iSHOP3 allows integration with many other
industry-leading products and software including: analyzers, shop management
systems, alignment machines and more.
To become an ALLDATA integration affiliate you must be a current member of
AAIA and complete a licensing agreement with ALLDATA. AAIA charges an
annual licensing fee to become a member and offers discounts for ALLDATA
Affiliates. ALLDATA does not charge customers or affiliates any fees for
integration.
ALLDATA iSHOP3 System Content Matches Online Content
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The service information content in the ALLDATA iSHOP3 system is the same as
the online product found at www.alldatapro.com, and, the presentation of service
information is open to tailoring. Content is available to ALLDATA’s relationship
with Bosch Diagnostics through Web-based requests defined in the iSHOP3
specification.
Scott Luckett, vice president, technology standards and solutions for AAIA,
indicates, “Studies in Europe have found that shop technicians spend 25 minutes
of every hour focused on work directly related to servicing a vehicle. The balance
of a technician’s valuable time is spent searching for information …”
“The iSHOP standard brings service and repair information to technicians in their
bays so they avoid the ‘walk of death’ across the shop to look for information.
Shops equipped with iSHOP-enabled equipment can experience higher sales per
day and greater sales per technician,” Luckett pointed out.
Multiple Connection Possibilities Enhance Productivity
Shop Foreman Pro connects to the Mastertech VCI, MTS 3100 Mastertech, the
MTS 1100 5-Gas Analyzer, the MTS 4100 NVH, and the MTS 5200 Engine
Analyzer. In addition, this program contains a Global OBD II function, which
interfaces with a J2534-compliant device to display ECU data or support ECU
reprogramming. With this program, the technician can toggle between the
connected diagnostic tools, Web-based service information, the repair order, and
any saved diagnostic records. The program can quickly generate a diagnostic
report printout for customers as part of a courtesy check, or to share diagnostic
results.
For more information on this combined Bosch/ALLDATA program, contact
Chuck.Gonwa@us.bosch.com. For information on Bosch Diagnostics products
and services, visit www.boschdiagnostics.com. For information on ALLDATA
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products and services visit www.alldata.com. For information on AAIA, visit
www.aftermarket.org.
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BHD-1617e
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APPENDIX
Sample PC program screen views
:
Technical Service Bulletin listing within Shop Foreman Pro
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DTC menu selection to Diagnostics instructions view
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Repair order view within Shop Foreman Pro