Methods and Systems for Tracking Labor Efficiency

• US 20180032942A1
• Filed: 07/26/2016
• Published: 02/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Inventors: Johnson, Lester B., Dwulet, John H.
• Granted Patent: US 10,692,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/067 Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data

Abstract

A processor may receive input data indicative of information about a particular vehicle repair shop (VRS). Based on that input data, the processor may determine a potential total extent of sales by the particular VRS over a particular time period. Also, the processor may refer to a data storage device containing computer-readable vehicle repair orders (ROs) each specifying a respective extent of sales by the particular VRS. Based on such ROs, the processor may determine an actual total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period. Further, based on the potential and actual total extents of sales, the processor may determine a sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period. Then, the processor may direct a display device to display a visual indication representative of the determined sales efficiency, the potential total extent of sales, and/or the actual total extent of sales.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by at least one processor, input data indicative of;

an operating duration of a particular vehicle repair shop (VRS), a count of vehicle repair technicians associated with the particular VRS, a working duration respectively of each vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS, and at least one labor rate associated with the particular VRS, wherein the at least one processer is configured to refer to a data storage device containing a plurality of computer-readable vehicle repair orders (ROs) each specifying a respective extent of sales by the particular VRS;

based on the input data, determining, by the at least one processor, a potential total extent of sales by the particular VRS over a particular time period;

based on the plurality of ROs, determining, by the at least one processor, an actual total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period;

based on the potential total extent of sales and on the actual total extent of sales, determining, by the at least one processor, a sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, a display device to display at least one visual indication representative of one or more of;

the determined sales efficiency, the potential total extent of sales, and the actual total extent of sales.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving input data indicative of the operating duration of the particular VRS comprises receiving one or more of the following operational details:

a number of operational days per week, a number of non-operational days per week, a number of operational days per year, a number of non-operational days per year, a number of operational hours per day, a number of non-operational hours per day, a number of operational hours per week, a number of non-operational hours per week, a number of operational hours per year, a number of non-operational hours per year, particular operational days of the week, particular operational hours respectively during one or more days of the week, and particular non-operational days of the year, the method further comprising;

based at least on one or more of the received operational details, the at least one processor determining the operating duration of the particular VRS over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the operating duration of the particular VRS over the particular time period.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving input data indicative of a working duration respectively of each vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS comprises receiving, respectively for each vehicle repair technician, one or more of the following working details:

a number of working days per week, a number of non-working days per week, a number of working days per year, a number of non-working days per year, a number of working hours per day, a number of non-working hours per day, a number of working hours per week, a number of non-working hours per week, a number of working hours per year, a number of non-working hours per year, particular working days of the week, particular working hours respectively during one or more days of the week, and particular non-working days of the year, the method further comprising;

based at least on one or more of the received working details, the at least one processor determining at least one particular working duration over the particular time period of at least one particular vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the at least one particular working duration over the particular time period.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving input data indicative of at least one labor rate associated with the particular VRS comprises receiving, respectively for each vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS, input data indicative of a respective labor rate.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, further input data indicative of the particular time period.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the potential total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period comprises:

based on the received input data indicative of the operating duration of the particular VRS and on the received input data indicative of the respective working durations, determining, respectively for each vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS, a particular working duration over the particular time period; and

based on the respectively determined particular working durations and on the input data indicative of the at least one labor rate associated with the particular VRS, determining the potential total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ROs each also specify a respective repair time, and wherein determining an actual total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period comprises:

determining one or more particular ROs, from among the plurality of ROs, that specify a respective repair time that is within the particular time period; and

based on respective extents of sales specified in the determined one or more particular ROs, determining the actual total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period comprises:

determining that the actual total extent of sales is a particular percentage of the potential total extent of sales; and

setting the particular percentage as the sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, information specifying a target sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the target sales efficiency.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, information specifying a target sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period;

making a comparison, by the at least one processor, between the determined sales efficiency and the target sales efficiency; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the comparison.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, information specifying a target sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period;

based on the target sales efficiency and on the potential total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period, determining a target extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the determined target extent of sales.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, information specifying a target sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period;

based on the target sales efficiency and on the potential total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period, determining a target extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period;

making a comparison between the actual total extent of sales and the determined target extent of sales; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the comparison.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ROs each specify one or more respective repair categories, the method further comprising:

determining, by the at least one processor, one or more particular ROs, from among the plurality of ROs, that specify a particular repair category;

based on respective extents of sales specified in the determined one or more particular ROs, determining, by the at least one processor, an actual total extent of sales in the particular repair category by the particular VRS over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the determined actual total extent of sales in the particular repair category by the particular VRS over the particular time period.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by at least one processor, different input data indicative of;

an operating duration of a different VRS, a count of vehicle repair technicians associated with the different VRS, a working duration respectively of each vehicle repair technician associated with the different VRS, and at least one labor rate associated with the different VRS, wherein the at least one processer is further configured to refer to a data storage device containing a plurality of different ROs each specifying a respective extent of sales by the different VRS;

based on the different input data, determining, by the at least one processor, a potential total extent of sales by the different VRS over the particular time period;

based on the plurality of different ROs, determining, by the at least one processor, an actual total extent of sales by the different VRS over the particular time period;

based on the potential total extent of sales by the different VRS and on the actual total extent of sales by the different VRS, determining, by the at least one processor, a sales efficiency of the different VRS over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one different visual indication representative of one or more of;

the determined sales efficiency of the different VRS, the potential total extent of sales by the different VRS, and the actual total extent of sales by the different VRS.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular time period is a first time period, wherein the potential total extent of sales is a first potential total extent of sales, wherein the actual total extent of sales is a first actual total extent of sales, and wherein the determined sales efficiency is a determined first sales efficiency, the method further comprising:

based on the input data, determining, by the at least one processor, a second potential total extent of sales by the particular VRS over a second time period, wherein the second time period is at least partially different from the first time period;

based on the plurality of ROs, determining, by the at least one processor, a second actual total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the second time period;

based on the second potential total extent of sales and on the second actual total extent of sales, determining, by the at least one processor, a second sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, a display device to display at least one visual indication representative of one or more of;

the determined second sales efficiency, the second potential total extent of sales, and the second actual total extent of sales.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

based on the input data, determining, by the at least one processor, a potential total extent of technician sales over the particular time period by a particular vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS;

based on the plurality of ROs, determining, by the at least one processor, an actual total extent of technician sales over the particular time period by the particular vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS;

based on the potential total extent of technician sales and on the actual total extent of technician sales, determining, by the at least one processor, a technician sales efficiency of the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of one or more of;

the determined technician sales efficiency, the potential total extent of technician sales, and the actual total extent of technician sales.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the potential total extent of technician sales by the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period comprises:

based on the received input data indicative of the operating duration of the particular VRS and on the received input data indicative of the respective working duration of the particular vehicle repair technician, determining a particular working duration of the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period; and

based on the determined particular working duration and on the input data indicative of the at least one labor rate associated with the particular VRS, determining the potential total extent of technician sales by the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of ROs each also specify a respective a repair time and a respective vehicle repair technician, and wherein determining the actual total extent of technician sales by the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period comprises:

determining one or more particular ROs, from among the plurality of ROs, that each specify (i) a respective repair time that is within the particular time period and (ii) the particular vehicle repair technician; and

based on respective extents of sales specified in the determined one or more particular ROs, determining the actual total extent of technician sales by the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the technician sales efficiency of the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period comprises:

determining that the actual total extent of technician sales is a particular percentage of the potential total extent of technician sales; and

setting the particular percentage as the technician sales efficiency of the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, information specifying a target technician sales efficiency of the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the target technician sales efficiency.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, information specifying a target technician sales efficiency of the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period;

making a comparison between the determined technician sales efficiency and the target technician sales efficiency; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the comparison.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, information specifying a target technician sales efficiency of the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period;

based on the target technician sales efficiency and on the potential total extent of technician sales by the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period, determining a target extent of technician sales by the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the determined target extent of technician sales.

23. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, information specifying a target technician sales efficiency of the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period;

based on the target technician sales efficiency and on the potential total extent of technician sales by the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period, determining a target extent of technician sales by the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period;

making a comparison between the actual total extent of technician sales and the determined a target extent of technician sales; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the comparison.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of ROs each specify one or more respective repair categories and a respective vehicle repair technician, the method further comprising:

determining, by the at least one processor, one or more particular ROs, from among the plurality of ROs, that specify (i) a particular repair category and (ii) the particular vehicle repair technician;

based on respective extents of sales specified in the determined one or more particular ROs, determining, by the at least one processor, an actual total extent of sales in the particular repair category by the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the determined actual total extent of sales in the particular repair category by the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period.

25. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

based on the input data, determining, by the at least one processor, a potential total extent of technician sales over the particular time period by a different vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS;

based on the plurality of ROs, determining, by the at least one processor, an actual total extent of technician sales over the particular time period by the different vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS;

based on the potential total extent of technician sales by the different vehicle repair technician and on the actual total extent of technician sales by the different vehicle repair technician, determining, by the at least one processor, a technician sales efficiency of the different vehicle repair technician over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one different visual indication representative of one or more of;

the determined technician sales efficiency of the different vehicle repair technician, the potential total extent of technician sales by the different vehicle repair technician, and the actual total extent of technician sales by the different vehicle repair technician.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, further input data indicative of an extent of work available to the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period;

based on the extent of work available and on the potential total extent of technician sales, determining a service writer efficiency of the particular vehicle repair technician over the particular time period; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the determined service writer efficiency.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein determining the service writer efficiency based on the extent of work available and on the potential total extent of technician sales comprises determining a measure of the extent of work available relative to the potential total extent of technician sales.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

making a comparison between the determined technician sales efficiency and the determined service writer efficiency; and

directing, by the at least one processor, the display device to display at least one further visual indication representative of the comparison.

29. A computing system comprising:

a data storage device having stored thereon a plurality of computer-readable vehicle repair orders (ROs) each specifying a respective extent of sales by a particular vehicle repair shop (VRS); and

at least one processor configured to refer to the data storage device and programmed to;

receive input data indicative of;

an operating duration of the particular VRS, a count of vehicle repair technicians associated with the particular VRS, a working duration respectively of each vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS, and at least one labor rate associated with the particular VRS;

based on the input data, determine a potential total extent of sales by the particular VRS over a particular time period;

based on the plurality of ROs, determine actual total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period;

based on the potential total extent of sales and on the actual total extent of sales, determine a sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period; and

direct a display device to display at least one visual indication representative of one or more of;

the determined sales efficiency, the potential total extent of sales, and the actual total extent of sales.

30. A computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by at least one processor to cause a computing system to perform functions comprising:

receiving input data indicative of;

an operating duration of a particular vehicle repair shop (VRS), a count of vehicle repair technicians associated with the particular VRS, a working duration respectively of each vehicle repair technician associated with the particular VRS, and at least one labor rate associated with the particular VRS, wherein the at least one processer is configured to refer to a data storage device containing a plurality of computer-readable vehicle repair orders (ROs) each specifying a respective extent of sales by the particular VRS;

based on the input data, determining a potential total extent of sales by the particular VRS over a particular time period;

based on the plurality of ROs, determining an actual total extent of sales by the particular VRS over the particular time period;

based on the potential total extent of sales and on the actual total extent of sales, determining a sales efficiency of the particular VRS over the particular time period; and

directing a display device to display at least one visual indication representative of one or more of;

the determined sales efficiency, the potential total extent of sales, and the actual total extent of sales.