http://www.vehicleservicepros.

com/article/10254479/got-vmrs
VMRS was developed to establish a standard coding convention for universally tracking equipment and maintenance costs and functions. In other words, it was intended to be the shorthand of maintenance reporting. The purpose of VMRS has been to provide a vital communication link between maintenance personnel, computers and management. It puts everyone on the same page and speaking the same language. The VMRS codes help eliminate the need for extensive written communications with all the inherent problems of miscommunication normally associated with the written word. VMRS has expanded over the years from primarily fleet use to now include OEMs, parts manufacturers and suppliers. The coding structure encompasses most equipment found within todays transportation activities, including trucks, tractors, trailers, forklifts, shop equipment, off-road vehicles and utility vehicles. If it needs maintenance, VMRS can help.

CODING STRUCTURE
VMRS contains codes for developing the equipment birth certificate, labor operations and warranty repairs, as well as recording part usage. These codes provide a sound basis for budget preparation and forecasting based on fleet mix, projected utilization and historic performance. VMRS helps control costs by providing detailed records of where monies were spent, at which point in the life of a piece of equipment repairs were performed and details the expenses incurred in the supporting activity. Simply put, VMRS codes will show you the maintenance money.

PM PERFORMANCE
VMRS also helps an organization determine the effectiveness of its PM program. Are PMs being performed too often or not often enough? Should PM intervals be modified based on specific failures reported through maintenance reporting and not on anecdotal information? What staffing is required to perform PMs? VMRS provides the answers. The codes for PMs are found in Code Key 15: Work Accomplished, along with more than 40 defined codes used to describe the work performed or completed by technicians.

Any size fleet can benefit by implementing the VMRS codes into their daily maintenance routine. VMRS codes help track labor distribution covering both direct and indirect labor. VMRS provides complete details as to parts use, and identifies which part should be inventoried and which should be procured on an as-needed basis. These are just a few of the benefits using VMRS brings to equipment repairs and maintenance.

TO BEGIN
There are several ways a fleet can get started using VMRS. First and foremost is to contact the staff at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) to discuss your maintenance needs, as this will make the implementation go much smoother. Many people have preconceived notions about VMRS. A discussion with the TMC staff will help dispel any wrong ideas. VMRS is licensed exclusively by the TMC of the American Trucking Associations, the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. There are currently three types of license agreements: Single User, Enterprise and Developer.

The Single User is for the casual user for use on a single computer workstation. The materials may not be used by more than one user on a computer network. The Enterprise License is for use by multiple users within the enterprise. The user may place the materials on a computer network within the workplace. The Developer License is intended for use solely as part of another product, such as part of maintenance software.

FLEET INTEGRATION

<a href="http://network.realmedia.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/cygnusb2b/ros/300x25 0/jx/ss/a/L29/1401146851/x15/USNetwork/BCN2012110516_001_Betfair/betfair_300.ht ml/73573058383143784a633841444d6f43?http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/nc/21488158437-48076-2?mpt=1401146851"> <img src="http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/nb/21488-158437-48076-2?mpt=1401146851" alt="Click Here" border="0">< /a>

Maintenance software became an integral part of the fleet world in the late 1990s and VMRS was the perfect fit. The VMRS codes enabled software firms to enhance their products with a ready-made maintenance language. The codes were readily accepted by fleet users and became an important part of their daily maintenance routine. VMRS was a seamless inclusion for maintenance software. In fact, many fleets are using software and not realizing they are using VMRS. VMRS continues to expand and reflect the many changes in todays rapidly changing technology. There are now codes for hybrid drivetrains, selective catalytic reduction, lane departure systems and crash avoidance systems, to name a few. Many non-traditional fleets are now finding the importance of using VMRS as well. Municipalities, utility companies and construction fleets have started using VMRS to track their maintenance costs. With tougher economic times its important to know where the maintenance dollars are being spent and VMRS offers the best method for gathering the pertinent reports.

CURRENT CONTENT
Reports are the backbone for any maintenance shop and VMRS is the best method available for gathering numerous types of reports. VMRS can help any fleet with parts reliability data and costs, labor data, warranty claims and much more. The number of codes has increased over the years, but the standard VMRS format remains the same. VMRS continues to be the preferred method for maintenance reporting and communication.

New VMRS codes are entered on a continual basis and become part of the standard coding convention. New codes can be requested by contacting the staff at TMC, and TMC encourages new code requests in order to keep VMRS up-to-date and relevant. A lot has happened since 1969, but VMRS has stood the test of time and is still going strong.

To find out more about VMRS contact Jack Poster by phone at 703-838-7928 or by e-mail at jposter@trucking.org. Jack Poster is VMRS services manager for the Technology & Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Associations. He has worked in the transportation industry for more then 30 years, beginning at his family-owned Chrysler-Plymouth agency in Western Pennsylvania. He later went to work for Merchants Tire & Auto and then took a position with Mancon Inc., a parts procurement firm for the Virginia Department of Transportation. In 2007, he became TMCs caretaker of the VMRS coding convention, working with fleets, OEMs, software firms and all users of VMRS to ensure the integrity of the codes.

Are You Reaping the Benefits of VMRS?

by Jack Poster The Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS) was developed more than 40 years ago to establish a standard coding convention for universally tracking maintenance costs and functions. In other words, it was intended to be the "shorthand" of maintenance reporting. Developed under the auspices of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and managed by ATA's Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), VMRS puts everyone on the same page and speaking the same language. VMRS can help any maintenance shop reach its full potential and profitability. Clarity is vitally important, especially when it comes to equipment maintenance. There are numerous ways to describe what work was performed and why a certain part failed. Most employees prefer a short, precise method when entering data on a repair order. A technician's task is repairing equipment, not dwelling on filling out complicated repair orders. VMRS can help speed up the process. The VMRS codes help eliminate the need for extensive written communications with all the inherent problems of miscommunication normally associated with the written word. The coding structure encompasses most equipment found within today's transportation activities, including trucks, tractors, trailers, forklifts, shop equipment, off-road and utility vehicles. If it needs maintenance, VMRS can help.

STANDARDIZED INFORMATION COLLECTION

There's an old saying, "It all starts on the shop floor," and when it comes to equipment repair orders, these words ring true. The flow of information starts with the technician. He or she is the first step in collecting the correct data. In order for a fleet to operate smoothly, the maintenance data must be precise and the repair order complete. If the wrong information is collected on the repair order, eventually the wrong information will end up as being factual. Fleets cannot maintain their equipment with anecdotal information when the facts are needed to insure proper business decisions. Using VMRS takes the guesswork out of collecting maintenance repair data.

CODE KEYS
VMRS brings continuity to the repair order process. VMRS is organized into code keys which are data sets of individual codes that describe a given function. For examples, Code Key 18: Technician Failure Code, contains more than codes that describe the apparent failure of a suspect component as determined by the technician /supervisor. Several of these code examples are: 04-Dented, 10-Bent and 14-Cracked. With VMRS a fleet can operate multiple maintenance shops and receive consistent data throughout the organization. Describing the work performed on a repair order can be a difficult task for many technicians. Too many choices can lead to frustration and incorrect data. VMRS contains the codes that will make filling out the repair order a much simpler task. Code Key 15: Work Accomplished Code contains more than 45 codes used to describe the labor that was performed. There are also codes for preventive maintenance levels. A few of these code examples are: 01-Adjust, 03-Replace with New and 33-Tighten. The codes are a brief description of labor tasks that make it easy for a technician to choose the proper work that was performed on any type of equipment.

TIME SAVINGS
VMRS is much more than numbers. It is a standard method of recording daily maintenance operations. A technician saves time completing a repair order by cutting down on the time spent writing labor and part descriptions. VMRS contains the codes needed to help a technician or shop manager complete a repair order in a standard fashion. Gone are the days of confusing labor descriptions and different descriptions of the parts used on a repair.

<a href="http://network.realmedia.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/cygnusb2b/ros/300x25 0/jx/ss/a/L29/140133159/x15/USNetwork/BCN2012110516_001_Betfair/betfair_300.ht ml/73573058383143784a633841444d6f43?http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/nc/21488-

158437-48076-2?mpt=140133159"> <img src="http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/nb/21488-158437-48076-2?mpt=140133159" alt="Click Here" border="0">< /a>

VMRS cuts through the jargon that can hinder any maintenance operation. VMRS is the known advantage in collecting maintenance information. Jack Poster is the VMRS services manager for TMC. tmc.truckline.com. North Americas premier technical society for truck equipment technology and maintenance professionals, TMC is a technical council within the American Trucking Associations (ATA) - the largest national trade association for the trucking industry.

VMRS Codes: More Relevant Than Ever

Jack Poster

With the average age of fleet trucks creeping higher, the VMRS system of codifying parts and repairs has never been more valuable to fleets

VMRS (Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards) has been in use since 1970 and the visionaries who developed it might not recognize it today. The basic foundations of VMRS are still the same, but the content has greatly expanded. VMRS was developed as a standardized coding convention for tracking equipment assets and maintenance repairs for a variety of industries. The Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations has been the custodian of VMRS since 1997. Its mission has been to insure that VMRS is current and responsive to changing industries and technologies. Prior to VMRS, maintenance reporting lacked any standardization or agreement as to what should or should not be recorded. Many fleets lacked a method to communicate and compare maintenance statistics. Without this reporting ability a fleet's statistics were meaningless, and so a standardized method was needed to provide the data. VMRS was the answer; it provided the means for fleets to gather reports and communicate with each other as well. Through the use of VMRS (a series of data sets known as code keys) equipment managers could now capture data related to the maintenance and repair of their equipment and store it for future reference. The unique aspect of VMRS was the seamless adaption it made to computer software, and VMRS quickly became the standard language of maintenance software (Prior to the advent of computers VMRS information was gathered on a speciallydesigned series of repair orders that are still available from TMC). The objective of VMRS was to develop a uniform method for capturing, recording and comparing maintenance information including equipment, parts and labor. It established uniform terms for indentifying equipment and recording labor in a consistent manner. VMRS developed a way to identify parts in a standardized manner and provide a uniform basis for comparing results. VMRS established code keys, individual "data sets" of very specific information that could be used to describe a piece of equipment and the maintenance done to that piece of equipment. "CODE KEYS" Initially 34 "Code Keys" were developed to cover all aspects of equipment, manufacturers, parts and labor. There are currently 64 "Code Keys' contained in VMRS.

The number of individual part descriptions (Code Key 33) has grown to over 24,000 and the manufacturers/suppliers/brand names (Code Key 34) now contains over 3,000 entries. VMRS reflects the latest technologies and companies in the equipment maintenance field and continues to expand. As the custodian of VMRS, TMC licenses VMRS to a diverse community of users. The licensees include traditional over-the-road fleets, municipalities, utility companies, software firms, educators, and OEMs. Licensees currently pay a one-time fee for the right to use and distribute VMRS. There are three licensing levels to VMRS;

Single User Version--The licensee is entitled to use the electronic media version on a single computer workstation; the materials may not be used by more than one user on a computer network.

Enterprise Version--The licensee may make copies of the materials for use by multiple users with the enterprise or place the material on a computer network for use within the enterprise.

Developer Version--The licensee may make copies of the materials and distribute them solely as part of another product. VMRS UPDATES

An important aspect of VMRS is the availability of updated codes. Enterprise and Developer licensees receive updates during the year as part of their licensing agreement. The VMRS codes are dynamic, and new codes are added to the database on a weekly basis. The licensees are notified that the new codes are available and are directed to an FTP site where the codes are stored. They can retrieve the codes and import them into their

respective systems or pass them along to their customers in the case of a maintenance software New codes are requested from various users, OEM's, fleets, utilities, government agencies, maintenance software firms are a few examples. The code request process is very easy. TMC relies on the community of VMRS users to ask for new codes when needed. In this way, VMRS is always expanding to meet the needs of the user base. VMRS coding reflects new technologies within the equipment maintenance industry. Recently added codes include items for;

Hybrid Drive Train Exhaust Urea System (DEF) Lane Departure System Tire Pressure Monitoring System New codes are also added to the labor and equipment classification code keys upon request. The policy at TMC is to quickly respond to the users' needs. Who better to determine what codes are needed then the people using the codes on a daily basis? WORKING WITH USERS TMC will work with anyone interested in requesting codes; there is no charge for entering new codes. TMC asks that requested codes come with as much information as possible, such as exact part descriptions, diagrams or schematics if possible and a person to contact with any related questions. TMC releases an updated code list three to four times a year. The codes are available in several formats: xls, dbf and csv. An email announcing the code release is sent to each contact person on the licensee list. They are directed to the ftp site where the codes are stored, along with previous updates. This method ensures that all licensees are aware of the new codes being released and that VMRS is a current and vital part of a fleet's maintenance program. TMC recommends that if any personnel changes occur they are notified and a new contact is established. TMC has a request form available to anyone interested in requesting codes. It's an easy to use spreadsheet that enables both the requester and TMC to keep track of any code requests. Requests can be made for one code or codes for an entire piece of equipment.

TMC views new codes as an enhancement to the database, it keeps VMRS relevant and responsive. CORE LANGUAGE VMRS has become the core language used by many fleets allowing them to benchmark repair data within their company or with like fleets. VMRS is a key factor in guiding equipment managers when making business decisions relating to parts purchasing or technician productivity. By using VMRS codes a fleet can tell how many dollars it is spending on a particular repair or narrow the data to the individual item level. Many fleet managers ask how VMRS can help their fleet and why they should use it. The answer is easy; VMRS is the ingredient that makes fleet maintenance better: better communication, better inventory control, better PM's, better warranty claims and most of all better business sense and profit. By using a solid universal set of standards a fleet can cut through the differing jargon, part numbers and labor descriptions to produce viable, concise business reports. VMRS provides the means to accomplish these goals.

Just as zip codes speed up the email and area codes make the phone system work better, VMRS keeps a fleet running smoothly by providing a clear picture of what maintenance has been performed and what to expect in the future. VMRS is much more then numbers, it's a standard method of recording daily fleet operations. VMRS is the proven standard, it has endured the test of time and best of all it continues to grow and reflect the many new technologies facing a fleet. A VMRS Workshop has been scheduled at the TMC 2009 Fall Meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina. The workshop will be held on September 14, 2009 and will include hands on training in the use of VMRS and representatives from fleets and maintenance software

providers. For more details on the workshop, contact Jack Poster at 703-838-7928 or jposter@trucking.org

The Repair Shop's Best Friend

Robert Braswell Created: July 15, 2008

Streamline your maintenance processes with VMRS codes.

LinkedIn Comments Print
0 0

Fleets are always looking for new tools and processes that will help them save time and money in their repair shops. Paperwork starts to pile up, the computers get harder to navigate, the technician has the wrong parts, there is a feeling of frustration. Shop managers and technicians have to work together to make sure the fleet is operating efficiently. There is an easier way to communicate; VMRS 2000 offers the tried and true method that can lead to efficiency in todays repair facility. VMRS 2000 offers the tools to establish the lines of communication in any maintenance facility. THE LANGUAGE OF REPAIR Established in 1970, VMRS 2000 has been the standard language used by fleets in operating repair facilities. It was developed to provide a link between the shop floor and those in maintenance management. VMRS 2000 provides the discipline necessary for different segments of equipment maintenance to communicate, eliminating the need for extensive written communication. The language of VMRS 2000 will help save a technician time when filling out any type of repair order. Whether entering a reason for repair or a part failure code a technician will appreciate the concise descriptions provided by VMRS 2000. VMRS 2000 was designed for use on the shop floor and has been helping shops stay productive for many years. BETTER BUSINESS VMRS 2000 is the ingredient that makes fleet maintenance better. Better communication, better inventories, better PMs, better warranty claims and most of all better business sense and profits. VMRS 2000 is a coding convention made up of over 60 code keys or chapters. Each code key (code set) contains precise codes describing a fleets equipment, labor performed and parts used. VMRS 2000 uses this coding system in place of the written word, just as the postal service uses zip codes and the phone company uses area codes to describe certain geographic areas. By adopting VMRS 2000, a fleet with one or multiple locations can easily communicate, producing consistent reporting. VMRS 2000 is much more than numbersits a standard method of recording daily fleet maintenance operations. A technician saves time completing a repair order by cutting down

on the time spent writing labor and part descriptions. VMRS 2000 contains the codes needed to help a technician or shop manager complete a repair order in a standard fashion. VMRS 2000 brings consistency to any maintenance operation by using a universal repair language. Gone are the days of confusing labor descriptions and using different descriptions for the parts used. VMRS 2000 cuts through the jargon that can hinder many fleets maintenance operations. VMRS 2000 is the known advantage in collecting maintenance information. Fleet managers and technicians will appreciate the clarity and structure of VMRS 2000. It has been the universal repair language used by many OE manufacturers and fleets for some time. Major software firms include VMRS 2000 in their coding structure, allowing fleets to benchmark their repair data. VMRS 2000 can help speed up the repair order process, it can cut the time spent doing paperwork, it can be that extra advantage in any shop.

FINE TUNING VMRS 2000 contains several coding methods that can assist a shop manger in accessing technician production. Code Key 15 is the code set for recording work accomplished that can compare work completed by technicians repairing any type of vehicle. Other codes in the set can record numerous labor methods including PM schedules. A shop manager can fine tune a report of the labor performed by using a standard language to describe the work accomplished. VMRS 2000 creates a labor language that is concise and easy to use. It makes the process of comparing a technicians labor fair and equitable. There are many labor activities performed by technicians that are not charged against a specific piece of equipment, but VMRS 2000 contains a labor code key set to record such activities. Code Key 19 is the set that contains over 60 indirect labor activity codes. For example, there are codes for fueling, parts pickup, moving equipment, even a code for travel

time. It is important that a shop manager record all work performed for auditing and insurance purposes. VMRS 2000 contains the labor coding needed to satisfy most recognized accounting disciplines. The code set in VMRS 2000 for tracking component failures is Code Key 18 or the technician failure code. VMRS 2000 uses over 90 codes to describe the apparent failure of a part as determined by the technician or shop manager. The codes describe failures such as cracked, bent, leaking and worn, to name a few. By using the standard language in VMRS 2000 a shop manager can run precise reports of why a part failed. The codes are designed to be brief and precise, allowing a shop manager to compare part failures from varying manufacturers. VMRS 2000 makes it easier for managers to compare and contrast their part usage by using standard descriptions. LATEST CODES

Comparing component performance can be difficult considering all the different ways to describe a single part. When you factor in the numerous part numbers, obtaining a viable report can be quite difficult. VMRS 2000 contains over 22,000 standard component descriptions in Code Key 33 with new codes being added to reflect the latest technologies. VMRS 2000 contains the codes and standards that level the playing field for technicians and managers looking for meaningful reports. The codes in VMRS 2000 contain the consistency and clarity that fleets need to produce an accurate picture of their maintenance operation. VMRS 2000 is the proven method that saves any fleet time and money. To find out more about VMRS 2000, version 1.05, contact Jack Poster at 703-838-7928 or jposter@trucking.org. You can order any VMRS 2000 product through the ATA Marketplace at 800-828-5463, or http://www.truckline.com/store

Repair Orders Can Make a Difference

Created: July 8, 2009

One of the most challenging skills stations at last year's National Technician Skills Competition was the Repair Order Station. TMC's VMRS Services Manager Jack Poster offers the following insights as to why proper repair order completion is so...
LinkedIn Comments Print
0 0

1 There is an old saying, "it all starts on the shop floor," and when it comes to vehicle repair orders these words ring true. The flow of information starts with the technician; he or she is the first step in collecting valid data. In order for a fleet to operate smoothly, maintenance data must be precise and repair orders complete. If the wrong information is collected on the repair order, the wrong information will end up as being factual. Fleets cannot maintain their vehicles with anecdotal information when facts are needed to ensure proper business decisions are made. There are several ways to guarantee that the information gathered is indeed correct. DESIGN FIRST The design of the repair order is very important. It must be user- friendly to ensure that the technician feels comfortable when filling out the form. Whether it's a hand- written or computer-generated repair order the technician must be able to navigate the various information fields with little or no difficulty.

Repair orders should contain pertinent fields to document parts and labor functions. Recording too much information can be counter-productive. Fleet managers need the right data in order to make educated decisions; the repair order is the first step in this process. Using the ATA/TMC Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS) will improve any repair order process. By using VMRS a fleet can collect the same precise data throughout their organization. VMRS is the universal language for equipment repairs and has been the standard for over 30 years. Using VMRS takes the guesswork out of collecting maintenance repair data. STICK WITH VMRS Doug Andrew, Fleet/VMRS consultant with Cetaris Software, states using VMRS on a repair order improves the maintenance process. These improvements reduce unscheduled repairs, roadside breakdowns and identify exceptional costs. It is the best tool available to support the recovery of warranty dollars. Doug should know since he has been involved with VMRS from its inception and continues to be a vocal supporter and contributor to VMRS. Maintenance software firms such as Arsenault Associates and Cetaris offer a standardized repair order module that includes VMRS. The inclusion of VMRS codes on a repair order helps a fleet manger "mine the data" that is needed to make educated maintenance decisions. Many software firms can tailor the repair order to reflect a fleet's information gathering needs. Fleets have varied maintenance needs so it's a good idea to discuss the repair order module prior to installation. Make sure the shop manager and a technician or two are included in the discussions; after all, they are the ones that input the data. FILL IN THE BLANKS Fleets will benefit by placing importance on correctly completing their repair orders. Technicians should be trained from day one on what a fleet expects on repair orders. Many times a fleet will gloss over the repair order process and assume that the information gathered is correct. Periodic repair order audits will insure that the correct information is collected and will keep employees aware that the fleet is concerned about their maintenance data. Remember it's not what you expect but what you inspect that is important.

<a href="http://www.burstnet.com/ads/ad22853u-map.cgi/ns/v=2.3S/sz=300x250A/" target="_top">< img src="http://www.burstnet.com/cgibin/ads/ad22853u.cgi/ns/v=2.3S/sz=300x250A/" border="0" alt="Click Here" /></a> < A HREF="http://ib.adnxs.com/click?AAAAAAAAFEAAAAAAAAAUQAAAAAAAAAhAAAAA

AAAAFEAAAAAAAAAUQPzRCIGpVZpMXypDmhPJNxkEKbFQAAAAAE2KCQDoAAAA6A AAAAIAAAAe5CoATWMBAAAAAQBVU0QAVVNEACwBgAsbgAA0EYAAgMCAQUAAAAA3xL9nAAAAAA./cnd=%21twXOMgjatCoQnsirARjNxgUg BA../referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vehicleservicepros.com%2Farticle%2F10330309%2F repair-orders-can-make-adifference%3Futm_source%3Dwe_recommend%26utm_medium%3Drelated_content%26 utm_campaign%3D10331105/clickenc=http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N3093.135388.BI ZO/B6483201;sz=300x250;ord=1353787652?">< IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N3093.135388.BIZO/B6483201;sz=300x250;ord=135 3787652?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=300 HEIGHT=250 ALT="Advertisement"></A>

In today's economy businesses are striving to save as much money as possible. Maintenance costs have been rising and a fleet manager needs to look for ways to save money without jeopardizing vehicle safety. Having the correct maintenance data is a major factor in making any maintenance decision. Questions like how many brake jobs were performed, is the engine using too much oil, are there numerous electrical problems, are determining factors on equipment repair or replacement strategies. According to Kirk Altrichter, VP of Maintenance at Gordon Trucking in Pacific, Washington, maintenance data is only as good as what is entered by the technician. Gordon Trucking utilizes data mining software to audit repair orders on a regular basis looking for part failure data to help determine trends. They rely on VMRS codes to help in this process and train their technicians on the use of VMRS codes and also the proper way to fill out a repair order. WARRANTY CONCERNS The repair order is also the first step in documenting warranty information. It is important to document the correct maintenance information on a repair order to insure the warranty

procedure is completed properly. Warranty dollars are too important to lose due to an improperly filled-out repair order. Insurance claims are another reason to be concerned about properly filling out repair orders. A repair order is an historic document on any piece of equipment, and it must be complete. There are times that a fleet must produce repair orders for legal and insurance claims. It is always a best practice to produce a concise repair document in any legal claim; it can make the difference between winning and losing a case.

<a href="http://www.burstnet.com/ads/ad22853u-map.cgi/ns/v=2.3S/sz=300x250A/" target="_top">< img src="http://www.burstnet.com/cgibin/ads/ad22853u.cgi/ns/v=2.3S/sz=300x250A/" border="0" alt="Click Here" /></a> < A HREF="http://ib.adnxs.com/click?AAAAAAAAFEAAAAAAAAAUQAAAAAAAAAhAAAAA AAAAFEAAAAAAAAAUQNWcuUeyhYAXypDmhPJNxlNKbFQAAAAAE2KCQDoAAAA6AAAAAIAAAAe5CoATWMBA AAAAQBVU0QAVVNEACwBgAsbgAAEz8AAgMCAQUAAAAA9BEGfwAAAAA./cnd=%21twXOMgjatCoQnsirARjNxgUg BA../referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vehicleservicepros.com%2Farticle%2F10330309%2F repair-orders-can-make-adifference%3Fpage%3D2/clickenc=http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N3093.135388.BIZO/ B6483201;sz=300x250;ord=1353787725?">< IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N3093.135388.BIZO/B6483201;sz=300x250;ord=135 3787725?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=300 HEIGHT=250 ALT="Advertisement"></A>

So it all starts on the "shop floor"--the initial data entry, the initial diagnosis, the initial customer or driver greeting--it's the beginning of the very important process of collecting

information. Fleets must be aware of the way employees are involved in the repair order process or the information collected will be questionable. With the cost of a new piece of equipment it is vitally important to keep good repair records. Like a person's medical records, a fleet must document the correct data to keep the equipment healthy. Good repair orders can make a difference in the health of any fleet. So don't overlook the importance of a good repair order. It can keep the "iron doctor" away!