It all starts with a simple click of the Forum button in the user’s shop management program’s toolbar. With an Internet connection, shops can immediately gain all kinds of new knowledge about running their software more efficiently, which adds significant value to their software investment. There are users reading the forum (managerforum.net) from home or even on their smartphones. Shop management news and developments often appear in the forum first, and polls are conducted with forum members to factor their real-world experiences into our product planning decisions.

The Shop Management Users Forum offers customer access to product expertise when users need it most, seven days a week. In addition to utilizing the support offered for Manager/Manager Plus products, forum members also generate insightful discussions about marketing, business concerns and specific vehicle repair issues that may be baffling them. Shops with less experience are exploring new approaches found on the forum and applying them at their repair shop businesses for increasing their productivity and profitability.

With the combined value of the forum member contributions complimenting Mitchell 1’s own product expertise, the expanding Quick Answers (frequently asked questions) section and the PerformanceCenter video modules/quizzes, Mitchell 1’s customers have more ways than ever to effectively master the many powerful features found within Manager/ManagerPlus programs, whatever their particular learning style might be.

“Mitchell 1 is proud to join with NACAT for another year to honor those who have demonstrated a commitment to educational excellence in the automotive repair industry,” said Karen Wagner, senior marketing manager for Mitchell 1. “Tom Varrone has an outstanding reputation as an instructor and we feel he is an outstanding choice for this award. Everyone at Mitchell 1 would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Tom on his achievement.”

Varrone leads the BMW Service Technician Education Program (STEP) and the BMW FastTrack program at the Universal Technical Institute, Phoenix campus. He attended the Denver Institute of Technology and received a technician certificate in 1981. Prior to joining the faculty at the Universal Technical Institute, he worked as a factory trainer for the Service Technology Group for General Motors Corp. Varrone holds several certifications, including BMW Level I, Master Automotive ASE, Advanced Level Engine Performance ASE, Master Machinist ASE and Alternate Fuels Specialist ASE.

“I am humbled to receive such a great honor for something that I am fortunate to do each day, which is helping to develop young people into respected professionals,” said Varrone. “What I bring to the classroom is my passion for helping my students succeed. But ultimately, it’s not how much I know or the expertise I have. I judge my performance on how much the students learn and how well they use this knowledge to lead empowered lives.”

Varrone continued, “As educators, we have to stay focused and dedicated to our profession. By continuous education, you stay sharp and your students reap the benefits. I would like to thank Mitchell 1, NACAT and ASE for this award. Equally important, I would like to thank Universal Technical Institute and BMW of North America. There are many people at these two companies that believe in me, and words cannot express my appreciation for all they have done for me over the years.”

Selection criteria for the Educator of the Year award requires that a master automotive technician excel on all ASE automotive tests, including A1 – A8 (Engine Repair, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle, Manual Drive Train and Axles, Suspension and Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating and Air Conditioning, Engine Performance) and the L1 (Advanced Engine Performance Exam).

NRS is also a corporate partner of TRYP, an informational Web-based tool for owner-operators that can be accessed from a smartphone or computer. When a truck is broken down on the side of the road and they are not a current NRS member, they can access the TRYP site and find contact information for needed services.

Mitchell 1 customers must have purchased Repair-Connect in order to qualify for a one-year listing on TRYP. NRS says the listing, which specifically targets truck drivers, will provide customers with a source of extra revenue and give them the opportunity to be in front of thousands of owner-operators. NRS also says this offering will aid Mitchell 1 in selling the Repair-Connect product to its customers

During the awards ceremony, Rogers was presented with a check for $2,500 along with a recognition certificate courtesy of Mitchell 1.

“Mitchell 1 is proud to have the opportunity to recognize Crystal Rogers for her outstanding achievement and strong dedication to pursuing educational excellence in the automotive technology field,” said Karen Wagner, senior marketing manager for Mitchell 1.

 Rogers recently graduated from Laurens District 55 High School in Laurens, S.C. She will attend Tri-County Technical College in its bridge program and major in mechanical engineering. She plans to transfer to Clemson University in her sophomore year to continue her education. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree, Rogers would like to pursue a master’s degree in automotive engineering.

 By the time she graduated high school, Rogers was a four-year automotive student in a three-year course of study. Not only did she choose to stay an “extra” year, but she also received straight A’s in the program. She was involved in the NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation) competition this year, as well as participated in 10 career fairs at five local middle schools to talk to younger students about her high school’s automotive technology program. In addition to her school classes, Rogers worked 25-30 hours a week at her job.

 “One of the reasons that I chose this career path is that I simply love being around cars,” said Rogers. “Having the opportunity to take automotive classes in high school has helped me realize that cars are my true passion, and to be able to work with cars and design my own is simply the best career possible in my opinion.”

National Roadside Service is a roadside repair and fleet management company that facilitates repairs for thousands of fleets and owner operators throughout the United States and Canada. They are a corporate partner with

Mitchell 1.

NRS is also a corporate partner of Truck Repair Yellow Pages, LLC (TRYP), the fastest growing and most highly used informational Web-based tool for commercial vehicle owner operators nationwide. The site can be accessed from a Smart Phone or computer. When a truck is broken down on the side of the road, and they are not a current NRS Member, they can access the TRYP site and find contact information for every type of service they need.

Mitchell 1 customers must have purchased Repair-Connect in order to qualify for a one year listing on TRYP from NRS. The listing will provide customers with a source of extra revenue and give them the opportunity to be in front of thousands of owner operators out on the road daily. It is targeted at a specific market, the truck driver.

This offering will aid Mitchell 1 in selling the Repair-Connect product to its customers by adding value to an already highly-valued Mitchell 1 product.

Both programs are updated monthly with new color photos, detailed procedural information, diagnostics and wiring diagrams.

Mitchell 1’s photographers routinely visit Universal Technical Institute (UTI) facilities throughout the U.S., to enhance the online programs. UTI, a provider of technical education training, uses Mitchell 1 online programs in its curriculum and gives Mitchell 1 access to actual component parts they use in training truck technicians.

“Because we utilize Mitchell 1’s online manuals in our training programs, the pictures taken during these visits supplement existing component photos and repair methods,” said Duane Kramer, vice president of new campus operations and programs, UTI. “In addition to detailed diagrams and trouble-shooting procedures, these images help technicians using Mitchell 1 programs correctly diagnose and repair vehicle problems.”

Mitchell 1’s web-based repair programs provide 24/7 access to service information to help diagnose and repair virtually any medium- or heavy-duty truck built during the last 15 years. Tractor-Trailer.net is used in TMC Skills Competitions to test technicians on their ability to use computer-based information, which is becoming more prevalent in shops where medium- and heavy-duty trucks and trailers are serviced.

David Boyington, senior account manager, corporate sales, Mitchell 1, and Ken Young, vice president sales and marketing, Mitchell 1, accepted the award from Marshall L. Doney, AAA Automotive vice president.

“It’s quite an honor to receive the AAA ‘Hall of Fame’ award,” said Young. “It speaks to the strength of the AAA and Mitchell 1 relationship, as well as reflects the success both organizations have experienced working collaboratively to ensure the AAA Approved Auto Repair network has access to repair, estimating and management software needed for delivering quality and professional service to AAA members.”

The “Hall of Fame” award recognizes select preferred suppliers who demonstrate success in the following award criteria:
1. The supplier has to have been contracted with AAA for at least five years
2. The supplier has to have been a recipient of an annual award at least once
3. Beyond winning an annual award, the supplier needs to demonstrate exceptional year-to-year performance against all six of the annual award criteria: sales/revenue/club participation, relationship, flexibility, innovation, customer service and dedication

Mitchell 1 and AAA established their relationship in 1999 to offer AAA and CAA service providers unique savings and offers on Mitchell 1 shop management, repair and estimating software and related print publications.

Mitchell 1’s product portfolio helps repair facilities reach their full potential by focusing on four pillars of success: profitability, efficiency, professionalism and growth. Through its preferred supplier relationship with AAA, 8,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair shops and 12,000 towing contractors have access to premium Mitchell 1 products and services that can help them compete more effectively in an ever-changing market.

“With the popularity of social networking and Facebook, we thought this would be a great way to connect and communicate with an even larger audience of Mitchell 1 fans, to keep them up-to-date on the latest company and product news,” said Karen Wagner, senior marketing manager for Mitchell 1. “The page also serves as a forum for our fans to share their stories and interact with each other. We’d like to invite everyone to join Mitchell 1’s growing Facebook community.”

Facebook is currently the most widely used social networking service in North America, allowing users to rapidly interact in a variety of ways, including posting photos, uploading videos and commenting on discussion boards. Content is constantly being added and the majority of users visit Facebook numerous times a day.

It only takes minutes to join Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com. Once you have set up your account, use the search tool in the upper left hand part of the screen to locate the Mitchell 1 page. Click on “Like” button on the top left side of the page and you’ll instantly become part of the Mitchell 1 community.

The workshop will be led by John Dwulet, senior product manager for Mitchell 1’s management software solutions, and Tim McDonnell, national training manager, who have 27 years of combined Manager and ManagerPlus training experience. Mitchell 1 support personnel will also be on hand. Attendees can expect lively discussions on how to use the management system to energize their business, increase profits and boost productivity.

“This advanced training workshop turns existing shop management system customers into power-users who get the most out of their software and business,” said Dwulet. “The sessions will uncover strategies allowing attendees to compete successfully against dealerships; maximizing their maintenance and repair opportunities and further the relationship with the customer. Each time we conduct a workshop, we repeatedly hear similar comments, such as ‘the workshop opened my eyes to new ways of doing things that have really helped me in my business.’ No matter how long you have had the software, you learn there are better and more efficient methods to operate the day-to-day business.”

At the end of each workshop, AMI Course Completion forms will be handed out to those attendees who wish to pursue AMI credits. Students completing this course will be rewarded 30 credits toward the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation.

Attendees will be welcomed by a cocktail reception on Thursday, July 15 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Workshop sessions run from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17. The registration fee is $200 per attendee, plus applicable tax, and covers seminars, continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments each day. Participants are responsible for transportation to Nashville and hotel accommodations. Attendees may reserve rooms at the Hutton Hotel and receive Mitchell 1’s special hotel rate by mentioning Mitchell 1/ShopKey Manager Training when making the reservation.

For more information or to register for Mitchell 1’s Management System Training Workshop, visit http://www.buymitchell1.com/form/m1users.htm. Registration must be completed by June 30, 2010.

Tractor-Trailer.net has been used to test service information knowledge at the Annual TMC National Technician Skills Competition since its inception and Mitchell 1 is increasingly participating in state competitions as they are organized. The California SuperTech Competition is following the TMC guidelines and will be sending their winners to the national event being held in Raleigh, N.C., Sept. 20-23. Dan Kincaid, Tractor-Trailer.net Senior Editor with Mitchell 1 will administer the tests at the California competition.

Mitchell 1 online vehicle repair products including Tractor-Trailer.net, Medium-Truck.net and Repair-Connect have all the vital procedural service information in one place to maximize shop productivity. They include thousands of detailed color wiring diagrams to help solve complex electrical problems as well as full-color photos that provide a real-world view of many vehicle components and assemblies. Unique to Mitchell 1 products, CircuitSelect allows the user to easily trace, highlight, isolate and hide individual wiring circuits using different colored highlights.