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Letter to the Editor

PPG's Electronic Hub Increases Glass Shop Efficiency

PITTSBURGH -- PPG Industries and wholly owned subsidiary GTS Services have launched an open electronic hub of services that helps auto glass retailers manage and grow their businesses more effectively by connecting them with claims providers and distributors and reducing the cost and time of managing insurance claims.

According to Jim Latch, president, LYNX Services, and general manager, of insurance and services, retailers participating in the electronic hub will receive work assignments from LYNX Services through their point-of-sale (POS) software. "Retailers spend less time on the phone and do not have to enter work assignment information manually," Latch said. "This enables retailers to focus on what they do best: deliver high customer satisfaction in tandem with running efficient and profitable auto glass businesses."

Latch also said the electronic hub reduces costly billing errors that often occur if information on an invoice does not match the information in claim providers' systems.

"Receiving work assignments electronically into our GTS system is a great time saver, and improves our data accuracy for electronic data interchange (EDI) billing," said Doug Linderer, president of Go-Glass of Salisbury, Md. "We're eager for the ability to obtain authorizations electronically, again because of the speed and accuracy versus traditional phone and fax."

Through their GTS systems, retailers will soon be able to submit authorization requests, which traditionally require an outbound phone call to a claims provider. This can also be a costly step if information is mistakenly left out of an invoice or inaccurately entered. According to Tom Molenda, general manager of GTS Services, a market leader in business management software, GTS software has been modified to identify parts that require authorization approval and prompt the retailer if the part is selected. "Retailers will receive automated on-line approval by submitting the authorization request electronically. They'll get an instant response and eliminate the need for additional telephone calls," Molenda stated.

Efficiencies in claim handling are not the only benefits of PPG's new electronic hub. "Auto glass retailers and distributors will benefit from the speed and accuracy of upcoming software releases that will enable electronic auto glass ordering and invoicing," Molenda said.

According to Garry Goudy, vice president of PPG's auto replacement glass business, all participants in the auto glass value chain, from producers through retail service providers, will be able to take advantage of the cost savings and business efficiencies of the electronic hub. "PPG's electronic hub will be the only fully integrated Internet solution available for retailers. And unlike other Web sites, the electronic hub will offer product sourcing and claims processing functionality built directly into the retailers' and distributors' POS systems," Goudy said.

He added that retailers will be able to perform all the necessary functions in processing claims and ordering parts from their preferred distributors without placing telephone calls or switching applications. Distributors will be able to confirm product availability, delivery schedules and accept orders directly into their system without receiving a telephone call, Goudy said.

"PPG is creating this open and neutral electronic hub in support of customers and business partners, and is committed to preserving choice and providing options that deliver value to the entire marketplace," Goudy said.

Pittsburgh-based PPG is North America's largest producer of flat and fabricated glass, and is a leading producer of automotive replacement glass. The company is also a major global producer of automotive, industrial, packaging and aerospace coatings; continuous-strand fiber glass reinforcements and yarns, and industrial and specialty chemicals, as well as a leading North American producer of decorative and maintenance paints. PPG's sales in 2000 were US$8.6 billion.

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