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Yes! The Upgrade to Grails 4.0 is Complete

Happy New Year! Yes, yes, it’s a bit late for that, but the DAMAGE iD A-Team dev has been a bit absorbed lately.

So, what’s been going on?

Infrastructure.

In the past few months we’ve been working on an upgrade our customers won’t notice at first. Known as Grails 4, this very modern and high performing system will really help with performance and reliability, and gets oursecurity patches are up to date!

At the same time, we also switched to a highly available architecture.

The migration went off without a hitch! Our API (backend system) is now the latest “Grails 4” platform, and more resilient to interruptions to service.

Customers are going to start noticing improved response times and better performance overall.

… And now that this is out of the way, we’re back on the (more noticeable) features our customers have requested.

In fact, there will be an important new Android release within a few hours! Keep your eyes out for that.

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🇬🇹 ¡Atención! DAMAGE iD is now Available in Spanish 🇪🇸

DAMAGE iD supports our global Team!

We’ve added a little “Latin Flavor” to DAMAGE iD with our new Spanish version. Now fleets, DSPs and rental agencies looking for the best DAMAGE Control solutioncan use their native language.

DAMAGE iD adds some spicy Latin flavor!!

We have so many great customers from the Latin American countries. We knew we had to celebrate with a new update.

Our newest Android release version 3.6 r43 was just launched today. (Last week, we launched iPhone/iPad/iOS version 3.3 also including Spanish).

Look for those versions on the Play Store and App Store.

Watch the video below to see how it works:

P.s. If you speak Spanish, and appreciate this new update, be sure to give us a rating on the app store.

¡Hasta la vista!

DAMAGE iD A-TEAM

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It’s Time to Get Specific on Identifying Damage … “Annotation” has Launched!

Increase your Company’s Integrity with more Specific DAMAGE markings. We feel your Pain!! For a long time, our customers have asked for the ability to mark and comment on specific damages within DAMAGE iD.

We call this “Annotation”. The ability to circle and comment on specific damages.

On April 10, 2020, we launched this new feature. “Annotation” is now available within the (desktop) Review Portal.

Here’s how it works:

After capturing photos, users visit the Case in Review Portal. Click “Add Damage” to circle damages found during the walk-around. From this point on, those damages are given an id and saved permanently. They can now be referenced in future walk-around (inspections).
Choose from a subset of AIAG Vehicle Damage Codes, then makes any comments on the specifics of the damages.

Going forward, users take photos of the vehicle, performing regular, routine walk-around on the vehicle using the mobile applications (available in Android and IOS). A red button will appear showing the vehicle has existing damages.

  • Click the “Existing Damages” button to see all the damages on the vehicle, and browse through the original photos where damage was first noticed.

To view all damages within your fleet, we’ve created a new “Damage Report” under “Reports”.

The new Reports section, available for Company Admin Role.
In the Damage Report, users can review damage across the entire fleet. Filter by unit number or license plate. Then download the report to get an Excel version, including all details of the damages.

We hope “Annotation” takes our product to an entirely different level.

Please give “Annotation” a try and let us know if it helps you better identify and capture damage. It’s time to Charge the Money You’re due on Minor, Mystery DAMAGE. Never lose $$$ on Damage again!!

As always, reach out to us at support@damageid.com with any problems, suggestions or feedback.

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It’s Time to Get Specific on Identifying Damage … “Annotation” has Launched!

Increase your Company’s Integrity with more Specific DAMAGE markings. We feel your Pain!! For a long time, our customers have asked for the ability to mark and comment on specific damages within DAMAGE iD.

We call this “Annotation”. The ability to circle and comment on specific damages.

On April 10, 2020, we launched this new feature. “Annotation” is now available within the (desktop) Review Portal.

Here’s how it works:

After capturing photos, users visit the Case in Review Portal. Click “Add Damage” to circle damages found during the walk-around. From this point on, those damages are given an id and saved permanently. They can now be referenced in future walk-around (inspections).
Choose from a subset of AIAG Vehicle Damage Codes, then makes any comments on the specifics of the damages.

Going forward, users take photos of the vehicle, performing regular, routine walk-around on the vehicle using the mobile applications (available in Android and IOS). A red button will appear showing the vehicle has existing damages.

  • Click the “Existing Damages” button to see all the damages on the vehicle, and browse through the original photos where damage was first noticed.

To view all damages within your fleet, we’ve created a new “Damage Report” under “Reports”.

The new Reports section, available for Company Admin Role.
In the Damage Report, users can review damage across the entire fleet. Filter by unit number or license plate. Then download the report to get an Excel version, including all details of the damages.

We hope “Annotation” takes our product to an entirely different level.

Please give “Annotation” a try and let us know if it helps you better identify and capture damage. It’s time to Charge the Money You’re due on Minor, Mystery DAMAGE. Never lose $$$ on Damage again!!

As always, reach out to us at support@damageid.com with any problems, suggestions or feedback.

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🚛 🚛 Android Version 3.5 – “Signature-on-Return” for DSPs and Leasing Companies

After launching the signature for initial vehicle conditions, our customers asked for “Signature-on-Return”. On March 11, we’ve released Android version 3.5, includes the ability to capture a signature of a driver on either or both going out and return!

With the Corona-virus pandemic this Spring, large companies like Amazon are scrambling to meet the needs of consumers with limited mobility. These companies are hiring as fast as possible through DSPs (Delivery Service Partners) or similar models, which are low-investment business who own vehicles or rent vehicles from Leasing Companies.

Both DSPs and Leasing Companies want protection and are using DAMAGE iD for accurate history of vehicle conditions.

Today, we are developing new features within DAMAGE iD which are specific to DSPs (Delivery Service Partners) and Leasing Companies to protect them from negligent drivers and to provide documentation for insurance claims.

Here’s how it works.To enable this feature, log in to the Review Portal.

Check the checkbox, one or both to enable signature pad on the app!

Now, when the driver returns the vehicle (and captures vehicle photos and video), the signature will be captured and stored in the cloud.

The signature pad will appear after the walk-around and before submission of photo and video to the cloud.

The signature for both before and after will appear within the Review Portal on the Case Details window.

If you click “Export Photos”, you will also see both signatures (if you have both enabled) on the downloaded PDF.

We hope you make use of the new signature options. Look for the signature pad to appear in future IOS versions as well (currently Android has the signature feature).

We wish you and your family good health in these difficult times of the pandemic.

Thank you delivery companies, and DSPs for everything you are doing for us!

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We Just Added “App-Only User” Role – for Delivery Fleets, Leased Vehicles, Trucking

Recently some of our delivery customers have told us that some of their drivers are not entirely trusted. Delivery companies often switch drivers, and drivers should not be able to access all videos and photos taken by other drivers in the Review Portal. These delivery companies suggested that DAMAGE iD should include a limited access account.

Today, we just added a new type of user to the DAMAGE iD Review Portal. The role is called “App Only”.

Just like it sounds, this type of user only has access to the mobile app – they can’t log into the Review Portal. It is a restricted use account.

Here is a quick review of the different roles within DAMAGE iD.

Where to find the new “App Only” User

You can find the App Only user role in the pick-list you select when inviting a new user.

You will also find this user type when editing an existing user. Yes, existing users can be converted to “App Only” users at any time.

Todays update is a “backend” change – so both IOS/Apple and Android users will get this update. There is no reason to check the app store for an update. (e.g. We didn’t launch a corresponding app update with this update).

We hope you find this feature helpful. A big shout out to our friends at Reliance Delivery for suggesting this feature!

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UNITED MileFleet and DAMAGE iD in the Big Apple

Christmas Season … what a wonderful time to be in New York City!

On Thursday, Paula (president) and Jack (founder) met with the UNITED MileFleet team at the Classic Car Club in the Big Apple. The event promotes the DAMAGE iD products as well as offering steep discounts to members of the UNITED MileFleet Partner program.

Members of the program receive up to 20% discount on products for the rental and leasing industry, such as DAMAGE iD.

At the Classic Car Club, members network and share experiences relevant to rental and leasing companies. The venue was filled with classic vehicles, setting the perfect stage for networking, Christmas cheer, and also some serious marketing and promotion of DAMAGE iD.

Andy Wilson, president of UNITED MileFleet discussing the origins of the company.
Paula at Grand Central Station.

Some very hot cars at the Classic Car Club in New York.

Schedule

TimeActivity
10:00Breakfast & networking
10.45First presentations
12.15Coffee break
12.45Second presentations
14.00Lunch
15.00Tour of the venue
Merry Christmas from the DAMAGE iD A-Team!
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Review Portal Update – Now Optimized for Smaller Devices

We’ve just made a new release to the portal.

We’ve optimized it for smaller devices and tablets.

The old version was suited for larger display sizes on desktops – full screen. However, we knew you wanted to access the portal with your mobile devices as well.

So we added additional mobile navigation, removed a few table columns and added over-under images/video so that you can see it with devices as small as an iPhone 5.

(The old, desktop version hasn’t changed at all.)

Check out the mobile-optimized version below (shown on a Galaxy S9)!

If you are using the new mobile version, let us know how it’s going at support@damageid.com. Enjoy the new update!

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Damage Identification API Released

Today, we released our version 1.0 API for the DAMAGE iD API.

The release of the damage identification API is important because it opens up the functionality of DAMAGE iD to developers and IT integrators. Developers can use the API, or “application programming interface” to integrate more closely with DAMAGE iD – exposing it’s core services to software applications outside of the DAMAGE iD app and web portal. For example, the API could be used to pull damage tracking features into a conventional rental software application. Or the API could be used to bring Case statistics data into an analytics (reporting) package or database.

The documentation is a work-in-progress and will be updated as new features are added. The documentation can be found at https://www.damageid.com/api.

What is an API? According to Google, an API is a set of functions and procedures allowing the creation of applications that access the features or data of an operating system, application, or other service.

To gain access to the API, developers must have a typical username and password as well as an “API Key” which is available upon request at support@damageid.com.

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New Platform Announcement – Apple iPad

Last week we added iPad support for DAMAGE iD. iPad is a really great platform. We just love it. There is so much room on the screen. It feels like a clipboard in your hand – it just fits your hands better than a tiny phone. Feels like the right tool for a walk-around.

Although iPad is very different from the iPhone in terms of capabilities, the iPad version of DAMAGE iD is mostly the same as the iPhone version – with a few differences.

One difference is that you can rotate the iPad in any direction when taking photos. Another is that the icons and buttons are larger and easier to click.

In the future, we hope to make even better use of the special capabilities of iPad. One potential future application of iPad, given it’s larger size, is the ability to mark damage directly on the photo dragging your finger across the screen. Imagine red boxes or circles…. right to your photo or video! We think that feature would work really well on iPad and are looking forward to working on such a feature soon.

But for now, we just wanted to get it out on the Apple Store because we love new customers! (iPad support opens up DAMAGE iD to a whole new category of users.)

To download, just visit the App Store with your iPad.


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DAMAGE iD Partners with iQtransit, Inc.

iQtransit -- transportation and logistics

DAMAGE iD  is excited to partner with Charlie Dalsass from IQtransit, Inc. of Lowell, MA.

iQtransit, Inc. from Lowell, MA

Charlie brings a fresh perspective, energy, innovations and experience to DAMAGE ID.

Charlie has worked for 20 years in the technology space. Charlie has diverse experience, as Lead Developer at Banta Integrated media (now RR Donnelly), co-founder and CTO of a web development firm, Neptune Web, Inc.,

He developed T-on-Time, a well-known regional mobile app for the MBTA.

He also founded iQtransit, Inc., which provides IT solutions for transportation and logistics companies. 

Jack Vercollone, the founder and visionary for DAMAGE iD envisions a renewal for our software that is long overdue. Jack formerly worked in the Car rental industry. He is now devoting his full energies to DAMAGE iD and will be working closely with Charlie.

Paula Vercollone has been keeping the “ship afloat” for the past several years, and is invigorated to be working with Charlie and to share experience anD knowledge.

DAMAGE iD’s software replaces the “paper and pencil walk-around” in the Car Rental Industry. DAMAGE iD takes photos of the vehicle before the rental agreement is complete, dates and time-stamps the image, and sends it off to the Cloud to be easily retrieved. NO photo-shopping allowed – DAMAGE iD makes the process of finding images simple because they are sorted by case. The software brings integrity to the car rental industry protecting BOTH the customer and the rental customer from incorrect accusations.

DAMAGE iD will soon release an updated version of the software to make theprocess of finding damage even more efficient!