Page 28 - Automobile Mechanical and Electrical Systems Automotive Technology Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (Vehicle Maintenance Repr Nv2) by Tom Denton

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Even though the two examples given above are rather different in scale the basic
principles are the same and can be summed up very briefl y as follows:
A set level of parts or stock is decided upon.
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Parts are stored so they can be easily found.
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A reordering system should be used to maintain the stock.
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Security is important as most parts cost a lot of money. When parts are collected
Key fact
from the parts department or area, they will be used in one of three ways:
Security is important as most parts
for direct sale to a customer
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cost a lot of money.
as part of a job
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for use on company vehicles.
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In the fi rst case, an invoice or a bill will be produced. In the second case, the
parts will be entered on the customer’s job card. The third case may also have
a job card; if not, some other record must be kept. In all three cases keeping
a record of parts used will allow them to be reordered if necessary. If parts are
ordered and delivered by an external supplier, again they must be recorded on
the customer’s job card.

1.2.7 Estimating costs and times

When a customer brings his or her car to a garage for work to be carried out,
quite understandably he or she will want to know two things:
How much will it cost?
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When will the car be ready?
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In some cases such as for a full service, this is quite easy as the company will
have a set charge and by experience will know it takes a set time. For other types
of job this is more diffi cult.
Most major manufacturers supply information to their dealers about standard
times for jobs. These assume a skilled technician with all the necessary tools. For

independent garages other publications are available. These give agreed standard
times for all the most common tasks, on all popular makes of vehicle. To work out
the cost of a job, you look up the required time and multiply it by the company’s
hourly rate. Don’t forget that the cost of parts will also need to be included.

1.2.8 Jobcards and systems

The jobcard ( Fig. 1.27 ) is a vital part of the workshop system in a motor vehicle
company. Many companies now dispense with the ‘paper’ altogether and use
computer systems. These allow very fast, easy and accurate communication.
Whether hand-written job cards or IT systems are used, the principle is the same
and consists of a number of important stages. This is often described as the
four-part job card system:
Reception – Customers’ details and requirements are entered on the job card
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or computer screen.
Workshop control – Jobs are allocated to the appropriate technician using a
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loading sheet or again via the computer.
Parts department – Parts used are added to the computer or job card.
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Accounts – Invoices are prepared from the information on the job card.
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Computerized systems may automatically produce the invoice when the job is
completed.