How automation improves vehicle inventory and frees up time

Implementing process driven, AI powered software relieves employees of much of the heavy lifting when it comes to manually intensive tasks.

Whilst aftersales in particular is feeling the shortage of trained technicians, in general, skills shortages are already affecting employers’ ability to recruit throughout the dealership. Currently, a paradox has emerged in the UK economy, according to the latest ManpowerGroup’s latest talent shortage report for 2024, whereby vacancies are high but there’s a mismatch between applicants’ abilities and the skills demanded by employers.

Release employees from monotonous tasks

Implementing automation to undertake some of the more repetitive tasks can free up employees’ time and reduce costs particularly when the sector is facing a labour shortage and recruitment and retention are ongoing issues.

With plenty of apps and systems to choose from on the market undertaking a variety of dealership tasks, Autofinity’s ViHUB integrates with most major suppliers and automates updates to online marketplaces managing stock inventory in one place. ViHUB provides pivotal data to keep track of a vehicle’s status and whereabouts, including understanding hold-ups such as awaiting a part. PiHUB is an integrated platform that powers parts ecommerce utilising manufacturer data and with minimal manual input required.

“Autofinity’s platform can really help all aspects of the business,” CEO Andy Whitehair said. “Keeping track of a vehicle’s journey from part exchange or auction through the prep process to the forecourt requires manual intervention but ViHUB does it for you and empowers line managers in both sales and aftersales to make decisions to improve efficiencies freeing up employees’ time and making the journey from vehicle arrival in group stock to retail ready a smooth one.”

Alleviate soaring vacancy rates with technology

When taking into consideration that in 2023, motor trades had the second to highest vacancy rates after accommodation and food services, according to the Institute of the Motor Industry’s (IMI) research paper ‘Driving Forces: Unveiling the Landscape of the UK Automotive Labour Market’, automation and integration can help alleviate issues surrounding staff and skill shortages. 

The IMI analysis also indicated future employment needs of 111,400 jobs in the next 10 years with 7,900 new jobs and 103,500 employment replacement following retirement, migration and occupational mobility. Two fifths (41%) will be for vehicle technicians with 45,800 required.

Aiding not replacing

Whilst systems can never replace technicians in the workshop, automating aspects of the vehicle’s journey from source to sale helps knit processes and departments together delivering efficiencies and oversight.

“The problems the likes of ViHUB and PiHUB solve are relatively simple but frustratingly difficult and time consuming to overcome manually. It usually involves tying up staff emailing and phoning when our platform provides the information in one place enabling several employees often located at different sites to work smarter.”

“Whenever we undertake a systems audit, we usually meet dealership individuals who have become experts in one or two systems. These people are literally the glue holding the entire process together. The gaps between systems are bridged by these employees when their time could be much better deployed.”