Thatcham’s escribe Profiles Technology

From August all users of Thatcham’s crash repair methods and times data system, escribe, will be alerted to new models entering the UK market via Technical Profiles which provide advance details of materials, joining technologies and design features that must be addressed during the repair process.

In their continuing mission to drive safe and quality body repairs, crash repair experts Thatcham have listened to their customers who are urgently requesting assistance with new models which increasingly contain model specific repair challenges.

The Technical Profiles have a number of elements including model data covering technical attributes and technology alerts, the date when UK sales started, the total annual sales volume forecast, the trim and engine line up, together with analysis of MET and panel methods, provided by vehicle manufacturers’ websites to non franchise repair networks.

To cut down on repairers searching time the profiles will point to the location for the method on the vehicle manufacturer website. An additional feature will allow Thatcham technicians to draw attention to special vehicle features which should be noted by repairers.

escribe Technical Profiles audit methods availability from the vehicle manufacturer and will report when no data is available. escribe will regularly trawl vehicle manufacturers sites until methods data is published. All internet download customers will receive the initial 11 Technical Profiles immediately, with CD users accessing the data from the 1st of August.

From September for those using escribe through their estimating system the Technical Profile will appear if no methods are available. Keeping up to date with escribe changes and additions in each release will also be easier with improved notification procedures.

Jason Moseley, Chief Operating Officer at Thatcham is determined to answer the needs of crash repairers who are daily confronted with new technology, “Thatcham’s position within the automotive sector allows us to track and identify new vehicle design trends at an early stage. The inclusion of Technical Profiles in escribe enables us to share that vital advance information with repairers and engineers. The old saying “forewarned is forearmed” has never been more appropriate for our industry at a time when UK repairers are faced with repairing vehicles designed by manufacturers who are working to provide safer, greener cars by using exotic materials to increase strength and reduce weight.”

Easy to use and fully transparent the new escribe complies with the rigorous standards laid down in the Thatcham/BSI Kitemark scheme – PAS 125.