BMW Arms Shop Technicians with Smart Glasses
BMW of North America has introduced a slate of dealership and workshop communication technologies aimed at reducing repair and maintenance times at BMW Centers and MINI Dealers and increasing workshop efficiency.
When fully implemented this month, the all-new Technical Information System TIS 2.0, together with the Technical Support & Research Assistant TSARA and the new TSARAVision Smart Glasses will provide technicians in the field with easier and faster access to technical information and a real-time live link to BMW engineers for additional support.
TSARA
BMW’s new online case-reporting system, TSARA, will speed repair and maintenance processes by an average of 70 to 75 percent, according to the company. Through intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, faster case-entries and multimedia support TSARA helps BMW Centers and MINI Dealers work even more efficiently.
For more challenging issues, where direct support from engineers is needed, BMW of North America implemented the use of all-new TSARAVision Smart Glasses to their dealers and workshops.
Smart Glasses
Donning a pair of TSARAVision Smart Glasses, technicians in service centers can now connect with engineers and other experts at BMW of North America directly via a hands-free video link and collaboratively work through issues to resolve them in a faster and more efficient manner. The expert can project step-by-step technical bulletins and schematic drawings onto the display inside the technician’s glasses, as well as take screen shots and enlarge images for better visibility. The technician can open and view documents via voice instructions while working on the car.
This information exchange is far more efficient than sending electronic forms and photos or explaining complex technical issues over the phone, according to BMW. The system works with industry-leading components: Realwear HMT-1 Smart Glasses and Ubimax Augmented Reality Software.
For the record, Porsche may have been the first to employ smart glasses for its techs.
Technical Information System
The all-new Technical Information System, TIS 2.0, is an intuitive multimedia platform for technician support, according to BMW. It was developed by BMW NA with feedback from technicians and can be accessed by BMW Center and MINI Dealer personnel on any mobile device, putting all technical data for every BMW and MINI model at every technician’s fingertips. The ease and availability of this information directly on a mobile device improves efficiencies by eliminating the need for technicians to stop work, and log onto a desktop to look for information.
“TIS 2.0, TSARA and the TSARAVision Smart Glasses are great examples of how we are applying new technologies to help BMW technicians work more efficiently and further our commitment to offer the best possible service experience for BMW customers,” said Claus Eberhart, vice president of aftersales for BMW of North America. “By solving issues faster, BMW dealers can get customers back into their cars sooner.”
In addition to improving customer service, the implementation of these new technologies will also support current and future technicians as they maintain the next generation of BMW Group vehicles.
“Vehicle technology is becoming more complex, which only highlights the need for excellent technicians,” said Neal Guthrie, department head for technical service, BMW of North America. “Hiring top technicians and providing them with the best possible systems and tools with which to work, will be critical to our success.”
