ACDelco WISE 3.0 Allows Shops More Flexibility and Customization

GRAND BLANC, MICH. — ACDelco, in its continuing effort to help shop owners become more flexible and efficient, now offers a new version of its Web Integrated Service Environment (WISE) e-Business solution. WISE 3.0 is a PC-based system that links Independent Service Centers and ACDelco Warehouse Distributors to help streamline ordering, distribution and service processes.

Launched earlier this year, WISE 3.0 allows shop owners to pick and choose the WISE 3.0 components that are right for their businesses instead of purchasing just one integrated offering under the WISE 2.0 version.

"Because all shops aren't in a position to leverage back-shop integration, we've taken the parts and labor control module and the back-shop integration and made them both plug-ins," says Steve Sigg, ACDelco e-Business manager.

ACDelco's WISE 3.0 is fully integrated with the Mitchell 1 shop-management system software. Mitchell 1 OnDemand Estimator is included with the Mitchell Manager / ManagerPlus software. Mitchell 1 OnDemand Repair software includes vehicle specs, how-to information and color diagrams and is available in CD-DVD format or via an online subscription.

Integrated with Mitchell 1, Vetronix Shop Foreman Pro adds a new dimension of diagnostic-date retrieval and storage to its one-of-a-kind service bay management software. It's also an optional addition to the shop-management system.

WISE 3.0, combined with Mitchell 1, features such improvements as:

• Individual customer and vehicle history
• More than 125 business management reports
• Prompt, written repair estimates and detailed invoicing
• Simultaneous parts and labor lookup in the electronic catalog
• Accurate time-to-completion estimates and job scheduling

Dan Heritage, WISE quality assurance coordinator for ACDelco, notes the added flexibility WISE 3.0 offers does not translate to higher cost to shop owners.

"If shops' business models can't support particular pieces of software, these shops don't have to purchase them," says Heritage. "Based on that, if they choose not to take some of the available options, their systems are going to be much more economical. But if they do want the options, they're available and are fully integrated.

"The deal we've negotiated with Mitchell to put the systems together gives ACDelco the best purchasing prices for our customers for the Mitchell system, offering greater pricing flexibility," Heritage notes. "But adding the customization ability on top of that makes WISE 3.0 even less expensive than the previous version, which was fully bundled. For example, if a customer wants to buy just Mitchell OnDemand Repair now and purchase Vetronix Shop Foreman Pro at a later date, it will still be the same price."

And, ACDelco is offering one more reason to subscribe to WISE. Registered customers as of June 1 are eligible to participate in ACDelco's "Summer Solstice" promotion that rewards users for incremental purchases of ACDelco products; one lucky winner will drive away with the Grand Prize: a 2008 Pontiac Solstice. Visit acdelcotechconnect.com for additional details. To arrange for a conference with an ACDelco e-Business specialist, contact the WISE Help Desk at 1-800-825-5886, prompt 3.