EDP File and “Mitchell”
Some Corrections Are Required

Some unfortunate errors crept in our article related to the EDP software packages used by the body and precision shops. This is why it is important for us to rectify these errors now.
Even if it is true that “Mitchell” and “ADP” are the two main EDP platforms available for the body shops, it is important to note that ‘On Demand 5’ is a product associated with “Mitchell 1”, a distinct entity that has nothing to do with “Mitchell”.
Let’s also add that ‘On Demand 5’ is designed for mechanical repair shops. From this point of view, our article should have compared ‘Shop Link’ and ‘Photo Link’ from “ADP” to the ‘UltraMate’ software from “Mitchell” using the bidirectional communication platform ‘ImageMate’.
And last, we have identified Mr. Michel Beaudry as being a Representative for “Mitchell”. This is an error since Mr. Beaudry is an independant consultant for the enterprise “Mitchell1”.
Our apologies to “Mitchell”.
‘UltraMate’: Lines of Force of the Software
To learn more on the subject of ‘UltraMate’, we called Mr. Michel Gagnon, Corporate Manager for the Province of Quebec at “Mitchell Canada”.
Questioned on the functions of this software now offered in French, Mr. Gagnon summarized them as follows: “‘UltraMate’ allows the automation of the work related to estimating the damages on the body of a vehicle.” In other words, this software allows the body shop repairmen to use a versatile work tool allowing interesting gains in productivity.
According to Mr. Gagnon, ‘UltraMate’ is characterized by three lines of force.

1. The possibility to work with a software that regroups all the knowledge and the skill techniques that “Mitchell” generated during decades;
2. The precision of its database thanks to the monthly addition of information pertaining to the new models (105 in January 2003);
3. The excellence of the Customer Service Group. The software users can rely on a fast response from Technical Support (an average of 72 seconds by phone and within 24 hours on location).

Interview

Meeting with Michel Grégoire,
Developer and Technology Partner with “Mitchell”

A Home-Grown Talent 

It is always pleasant to meet with developers from Quebec. Michel Gregoire, President of “DMI Bureautique”, is one of them. The 80’s have brought the computers, first in our offices, and then in our homes. Michel Gregoire knew better and got aboard the rolling train. Moreover, he conducted the train to where he wanted to go.

An Innovator and a Businessman
Mr. Jean Guy Grégoire founded the company “Dactylographe Métropole inc.” in 1971. It was the era of dictaphones, typewriters, faxes and notes scattered all over the desks. In 1982, Michel Grégoire joined his father’s company after graduating in robotics. At the beginning, Michel was only temporary help to the company. However, his ideas grew within “Dactylographe Métropole” that followed the trend towards technology.
His association with the American software enterprise “Mitchell” has been the turning point for “DMI Bureautique” and its president. And it is with the master’s touch that Michel Grégoire directed what he calls ‘l’affaire de la traduction’ - ‘the translation business’. He discussed, reflected, innovated and... succeeded!
In the Québec territory, “DMI Bureautique” is a “Mitchell” ’s Dealer since October 1998. The Enterprise has the responsability to sell and service the products related to the sector of the body shops. As such, it is responsible for the installation, training and technical support of all that is related to a product called ‘UltraMate’
What is ‘UltraMate’? It is an software to do estimates designed for the body shop repairmen. Among other things, it includes a detailed and impressive list of vehicle parts allowing to do a precise estimate of the costs of the repairs.
The Approach
The ‘UltraMate’ software had been integrated in the computers of the body shop repairmen for many years. However, very few sales were being made in Quebec even if the product was an excellent product. Why? There was a serious problem: the software was only available in English.
When Mr. Grégoire took over the sales in Quebec, he hit a wall. The body shop repairmen and the insurance companies rebelled against its usage.
“In Quebec, it would not be politically correct to ask employees to use a product that is not in French. I felt that it would impossible to get the support of the market place if a step, the francization, was not taken. If you want to sell in Quebec, you need French products. (…) The credibility of “Mitchell” was not questioned. But it was disappointing for the Quebec market to see “Mitchell” offering its products in English only.” indicates Mr. Gregoire.
Finally, Michel Grégoire needed two years to complete the francization project: one year of discussion with “Mitchell” was required prior to the signature of the contract and another year was allowed to complete the translation.
The Snag
The internal quality control system at “Mitchell” is certainly very efficient but it is costly. “Mitchell” must invest huge amounts for each modification made to an existing version of the software. So, it was impossible for the Company to make the translation of the software for less.
If “Mitchell” had the will, it was missing the expertise. Then, how to adapt the product to the requirements of the Quebec customers without affecting the quality and without spending astronomical amounts? “We designed a translation technology that allowed us to preserve the past quality control results. We had to proove the efficiency of our translation system.” This done, we had it!

The Mechanism
Michel Grégoire describes it as follows: “Mitchell” focuses on the design, testing, debugging of the product and to the inclusion of all the required modifications to ensure a troublefree operation. The Company sends us its English sources (with editor’s note: Product Prior to Completion); we submit them to our translation technology and return them in French to “Mitchell” “.
And he adds: “Being technical support, dealer and, at the same time, developer of the French version, we assume all the problems. We are responsible for the full loop. For “Mitchell”, all this was a question of risk evaluation.”
The Competition
Another software package of the same type exists for the Quebec body shops. Even so, Michel Grégoire is convinced that there is room for ‘UltraMate’. Incidently, the product is already being used by many large insurance companies and by more than 1,000 body shops in Quebec.

The Official Launch of the ‘UltraMate’ Logo of “Mitchell International”
“Mitchell” Really Did Things the Right Way!
For the official launch of its French version of the software for estimates and repairs of vehicles, the Management of “Mitchell” led by the President, Jim Lindner, invited sixty customers in a box at the Bell Centre to watch Mario Lemieux tie the “Canadien”.
‘“Mitchell” now offers to the French users the best estimating solution under ‘Windows’ on the market” says Jim Lindner, President of “Mitchell”. “The ‘UltraMate’ software, entirely in French, will be even easier to use and more efficient for our French customers in Quebec.”
Delando Hawthorne adds that this version of ‘UltraMate’ comprises a database, menus, help files, parts descriptions and procedures (operation information) in French. The users will have access in French to all the functionalities offered in the last English version of ‘UltraMate’.
A previous version of ‘UltraMate’ including some improvements to the French content is currently being used by large insurance companies in Canada such as “ING”, “TD Meloche-Monnex”, “Royal & SunAlliance”, “RBC”, “Wawanesa”, “Allianz Canada” and more than 100 body shops in Quebec.
Mike Jerry, National Manager of the Vehicle Department, indicates that “Mitchell” wants a better penetration of the Quebec market with a different approach and more competitive prices. From now on, Jean Hervieux will be responsible of the Quebec market only.
“The French users of the ‘UltraMate’ software will also take advantage of the excellent customer services offered locally. “DMI Bureautique”, the “Mitchell” Dealer responsible for all sales and support services in Quebec will support the body shops. “DMI Bureautique” reflects the customer support that made the reputation of “Mitchell” “ says Mike Jerry.
The President of “DMI Bureautique’, Michel Grégoire, did a lot of work to provide the Quebec body shop repaimen a first-class service, service that they deserve.
If You Want to Talk to Him, Contact “DMI Bureautique” at (514) 626-1520.
The insurance companies will be supported by the “Mitchell” representatives in Quebec. “Mitchell” just added to its team in the person of Michel Gagnon, now Sales Manager with his office in Quebec.