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Letter to the Editor

DEG Surpasses One Thousand Inquiries

Darrell Amberson, a member of the DEG Joint Operating Committee (JOC), commented, “The three national trade associations joined together for this initiative to offer a service to the industry that we believed would improve the communication process as it related to collision estimating data. With no other similar initiative in place it made it difficult in the beginning for us to effectively project how successful the endeavor would be, and if, and how quickly, it would establish itself within the industry to accomplish its goal. Clearly at the end of the first year, we are elated that we have achieved this level of use and even more so with the impact this initiative has had on the industry.”

Nick Kostakis, fellow DEG JOC member added, “The DEG relies upon several things for it to effectively work. We want to recognize that without the industry utilizing the DEG for their questions and communications with the Information Providers the success of this initiative would not be possible. Similarly, without the support, cooperation, and dedicated efforts of Audatex, CCC/MOTOR, and Mitchell we would be left with a whole lot of unanswered questions. Thank you to all that have been involved in the process for helping us realize the success that we have had in this first year. We look forward to continued growth and impact next year!”

The formation of the DEG has been often credited as a logical extension to the success of volunteer efforts led by the late March Taylor prior to the DEG’s creation. March inspired many initiatives because of his unrelenting belief that a single individual could in fact make a difference. In recognition of the spirit in which the foundation of the DEG was established, the Joint Operating Committee has recognized two individuals within the industry who have exemplified good industry stewardship by submitting the leading volume of inquiries through the DEG website. It is with great appreciation that the DEG would like to personally thank Benjamin Stephens, manager of North Star Automotive in Bethlehem, PA, and Patrick Burke, estimator at Olsen Auto Body and Collision in Bellingham, WA, for their individual efforts to improve database accuracy.

While the first year comes to a close with this accomplishment, those involved in this project recognize that there is still significant room for growth and an opportunity for the industry to take greater advantage of communicating questions and concerns with the Information Providers in regard to the estimating data.

“One thousand inquiries is an accomplishment all of us are incredibly proud to see come to fruition,” noted Barry Dorn, DEG JOC member. “But we also realize that we are only currently capitalizing on a small percentage of the inquiries that potentially exist. Our hope is that, as the successes of the DEG are relayed throughout the industry, more individuals will take advantage of opportunities available to them, such as the DEG, to proactively communicate with the information providers in the interest of helping to achieve the most accurate data possible.”

The Database Enhancement Gateway is an initiative which enables those who use collision repair estimating databases to provide feedback to the information providers in an effort to promote data accuracy. DEG resources include an easy-to-use website (www.degweb.org) and inquiry form, dedicated administration for the processing of inquiries, and a current database of both pending and resolved data inquiries submitted to the three major Information Providers. The DEG is created, equally funded and maintained by the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS).

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