Automotive trades

Connectivity for body shops

Insurers expect estimates, photos and updates through their own systems. Modern vehicles are diagnosed, programmed and paid for online, and a bay that can't connect can't work.

Internet, wireless and security for body shops

Each of the three has to be right, and they are usually bought from different companies. We compare them together.

Internet

Estimating platforms and insurer portals carry large photo sets.

Wireless

Estimators photograph and scan vehicles across the lot.

Security

Claim files contain personal and insurance details.

Article

The insurer wanted photos by noon

By the Telecom Agency advisory team

Insurers work through their own portals and expect estimates, photo sets and updates on their timetable. A slow upload is a delayed approval, and a delayed approval is a car taking up space.

What a consultant changes

Telecom Agency matches the connection to the work: strong upload speeds and Wi-Fi that reaches the back lot where the photos are taken. The advisor also checks the contract terms, because the cheapest plan is not cheap if it locks the shop in for five years.

How Telecom Agency shops the market for body shops

The advice
The advice focuses on upload speed for insurer photo sets and Wi-Fi that reaches the lot where vehicles are photographed and scanned.
The price
Providers are compared on upload capacity as well as price, and on contract length. Shorter terms are negotiated where available.
The service
The advisor handles carrier faults and reviews the service when insurers change their portal requirements.
  • No fee to you: providers pay the advisor
  • Every provider compared, none favoured
  • One contact for every carrier
  • Reviews and support after the install

An illustrative scenario based on situations common among body shops. It does not describe a specific client.

What we usually put in place

  • Shop internet with a backupA second connection so programming and payments keep going.
  • Wi-Fi across bays and the lotCoverage where the vehicles and scan tools are.
  • Separate customer and payment networksWaiting-room Wi-Fi kept away from the registers.
  • Phones tied to shop softwareCalls and texts that show the customer and the vehicle.

Providers that often fit

The shortlist depends on your addresses. Open a provider to check availability where you work.

The best connection available,at a price you can compare.

Tell us where you work and what you run. An advisor brings back internet, wireless and security options side by side, at no cost to you.

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