Still doing paper and pen walkaround? Why not a digital walkaround? Your savvy customers do!! Digital integrity gives you the confidence to be able to show customers exactly what damage occurred during their rental contract, and charge them accordingly. It also means that customers are reassured that they will NOT be charged for previous damage. Uncollected damage adds up. Consider this Cost Calculator: Windshield crack: start at $ 350; paintable scratch, which could require panel refinishing, $250 per panel. Tire/ hub cap damage, hundreds. Cigarette burns, stained interior. Your company could be able to charge to the customer but only if they had digital documentation DATE and TIME-stamped as to when the damage occurred. How could you save money on Uncollected Damages? Use DAMAGE iD as your damage software. It allows you to do a digital walk-around and the portal to compare the pictures and send to customers as proof. This gives your company the integrity to charge accordingly and your customers with be more satisfied with your company.
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.)
If Your Customers are taking photos and Videos, shouldn’t YOU do the same??? All Rental companies for Cars, trucks, SUVs, Campers, golfcarts, snowmobiles, boats, airplanes, etc, should have a foolproof, digital documentation of their Fleet.
On May 3, 2019 we launched major version 3.0 for Android, which includes support for video! (The iPad/iPhone version was released on May 22, 2019).
What are the benefits of video?
Tough spots to photograph. For certain vehicle areas, such as interiors, tires, trunk area, roof, it can be difficult to capture with a few photos. Rather, a (video) “sweep” is preferred.
Capture more. For example multiple items, multiple regions, underside of vehicle) using video. Video is alot like taking many pictures in sequence.
Shiny surfaces. Ability to capture small dents and dings within a reflected, shiny surface. By altering the direction of the camera slightly, light will reflect off the surface, revealing surface damage within the contours of the reflection.
Stronger evidence. Video is more difficult to tamper and modify than photographs. Video provides even stronger evidence for proving damage.
Multiple focus points. Video allows you to focus on deep, or 3D objects, while changing focus throughout. This can capture damage better than static photos.
How does Video work in DAMAGE iD?
The simple interface of DAMAGE iD stays almost exactly the same.
However, you will now see a red button beneath the camera shutter button. (See below).
Find a shiny, new, red button beneath the normal camera shutter button.
After clicking the red button, the camera will start recording video, and a clock timer will start.
DAMAGE iD video recording this hot vehicle! Be sure to move the device to capture the surface details.
DAMAGE iD also records AUDIO with the VIDEO. This means you can use your finger to point out damage, while explaining what you see.
Click “STOP” when done. Note that there is a 10-second limit on each of the videos.*
*Why did we decide to limit videos to 10 seconds? We wanted to keep upload sizes small. We also want to keep the walk-around focused on a position for later comparison. (If a rental agent takes a 3 minute video, it becomes really difficult to find damage or compare 2 videos.) Plus, if you take 24, 10 second, videos per case, that gives FOUR MINUTES OF VIDEO PER CASE.
Click the icon to review the movie or photo. This works the same as the previous version.
Once the video has been uploaded, visit the “Backend” to compare your videos and photos.
The following video shows how video clips will appear in the Backend.
FAQ
Question: Does video mean I will pay more for my DAMAGE iD Account? Answer: No, video is offered as part of your DAMAGE iD account – entirely free for existing users. (We don’t charge by storage space used)
Question: What quality video is used? Answer: We choose the best quality available on the device
Question: Is any compression or resizing performed on the video? Answer: No, we do not compress or resize the video
Question: How are videos stored? Answer: We use MP4 format. Videos are stored in the Cloud, just like the photos.
Question: Do you apply a timestamp to the video, as with photos? Answer: No, at this time we are not applying the red timestamp to the videos. We are considering this in a future, release, however.
Question: Will uploads take longer than with photos? Answer: Generally, yes uploads are larger than photos and will take longer than with photos. However, we’ve modified the uploading to start faster to accommodate this.
Dinner with our wonderful customer from Turks and Caicos (Rent-a-Buggy) at Martorano’s, the Italian Restaurant at the Paris. We were invited to a party in the Bellagio across the street. Here we are with another customer, Cameron from Carl’s Vans.
Added today – The ability to find a case by number.
From the Case List (on the backend), choose “Additional Filters”. Next enter a case or partial case number and click “Go”. The cases will be filtered by that number. See the video below.
The case number is matched using “wildcard” matches, you only have to remember a few digits of the case number to find it.
We hope this helps speed up your process! Thanks to the feedback from our wonderful customers from France, we are continuing to improve DAMAGE iD!
Spring has arrived!!! Tis the season for Auto transporters to increase their services by delivering vehicles from one location to another whether it be for the SnowBirds or for the Auto Auctions gearing up for Spring Fleet sales.
DAMAGE iD has the solution for Smooth Logistics in documenting the condition of the vehicle both before and after its arrival to the final destination. This Universal system, both on Android and iOS, monitors the pre and post DAMAGE on the vehicle. Once photos are stored on the Cloud, they are available for side-by-side date and time-stamped comparison ANYWHERE on one’s desktop.
This system is a great tool for Uniformity in organizing the DAMAGE Data of the transportation company’s logistics. Even if a Company has an internal system in place, this Independent software can be used by ALL drivers to create a Uniform System of Organizing the pre and post condition of the vehicles.
Start using DAMAGE iD today!! To request a demo or learn more, simply sign up right here:
How to Sell CDW to Jack (the Risk Taker) – Emphasize the “Standard Procedure” – Jack may be thinking that if he damages the vehicle, he’ll get away before anyone notices. Jack is a BlackJack type of guy after all! Jack is thinking that chances are in his favor can rush out before anyone notices, either by creating “cover” or feigning urgency. For this type of personality, you’ll want to let Jack know that a complete & thorough review is built into the process. Emphasize that reviewing the previous photos is an important and built-in step of the rental process, and cannot be skipped. Let Jack know he won’t be able to leave before the vehicle is completely checked over, and hold some collateral (such as a credit card number or license) to let him know he can’t run off. If you are using DAMAGE iD, you can review the previous photos before taking new ones – right on the app. If the customer seems like they are in a big rush, visually inspect the vehicle, and use the photo review to compare with old photos. With DAMAGE iD, agents can always take photos after the customer leaves. – Show Empathy Jack may be a risk-taker, but he has a big heart. Let them know that vehicle damage is expensive – especially for smaller rental agencies or those with lower rates. Tell a story about an difficult situation where a customer got away without paying for damage, and emphasize how that hurts employees and customers in the long-run (due to higher rental charges). A story from VERC car rentals is Boston is a great example. A few years ago, a customer switched rims and tires on a rental car to hide damage that had occurred. They had replaced the rims and tires with a much less expensive version. Fortunately, VERC was using DAMAGE iD and had photographic proof of the fraudulent activity. How to Sell CDW to Paula (the Conservative) – Use Repetition Paula likes to play it safe. Emphasize the peace of mind Let Paula know that the best way to prevent unexpected expenses is to purchase CDW. But also let her know that the vehicle condition is carefully documented at time of checkout, and return. She won’t be charged for damage which isn’t hers, but any new damage will be charged to the customer unless CDW is purchased. – Show You are Concerned about the Details Point out minor nicks with your finger. Spend a little time on each spot. Show you are concerned about the vehicle condition at every level.
With patience, they may BOTH be happy with purchasing the CDW!!!
CDW insurance is great for your bottom line and for their peace of mind, but it can be a difficult sell.
Envision this scenario:
Jack
and Paula were attending the annual International Car Rental Show in Vegas
during the Spring of 2018 when they needed to rent a car…
They chose U-Save because Jack wanted to
save $$$ for the Casinos. However, since
Paula isn’t the gambling, risk-taking type, she DEFINITELY want
to avoid the worries of potential damage while renting the car, and purchase
the Collision Damage Waiver offered by the rental agent. Jack, on the other hand, IS a risk-taker, and
he did NOT want to pay more $$$ for the daily rental by ADDING on the CDW cost.
They had a problem…to buy or NOT to buy
the Collision Damage Waiver. Paula
reminded Jack that the Insurance following them on their CC does NOT include
the $2,000.00 deductible. Also, she
noticed that the Agent was using a digital system, DAMAGE iD,
when doing the customary “Walk-around” to inspect the car for previous damage
and create a condition report.
What
would YOU choose? To buy or NOT to buy
the CDW??
The DAMAGE iD development team has made new Upgrades and Innovations for the World’s Leading Vehicle Damage identification Solution.
Charlie Dalsass, software engineer for DAMAGE iD continues to make the changes required to follow the product road-map.
The long-term road-map for the product includes:
The ability to accommodate a wider variety of of vehicles and fleets. Whether it be for a Fleet Transportation System, a Motor Home or Camper rental, Rental Car Company, Amazon delivery Service, or any business or Municipality with a Shared Fleet.
The ability to manage the entire experience on the device or tablet. No need for the “backend” (desktop) system. For example, the latest Android Upgrade, version 2.2 will incorporate VIN Barcode Scanning to quickly and accurately identify the vehicle. Once the vehicle has been scanned, you can ADD the vehicle with a single click. There is no longer any need to visit the “back end” to add cars to your fleet!
Vehicle Transporters, for example, require the ability to scan and add a new vehicle because they do not typically have a fixed vehicle inventory. This opens up DAMAGE iD to a much wider category of customers.
Other recent Upgrades include the ability for the Agent to “Flag” or Mark Damage as pre-existing in order to alleviate Customer confusion as to when the Damage actually occurred. This strategy greatly improves customer satisfaction.
Another Customer Satisfaction improvement is viewing the Outgoing Images upon the Return of the Rental. Pictures don’t lie. And date and time-stamped images allow for NO questions when it comes to the condition of the vehicle at the time of the Rental Agreement.
This feature is now available on BOTH IOS and Android (versions 2.0+). DAMAGE iD is here to be THE Award-winning, Global Solution to solve your needs of identifying and documenting the previous and New Damage on your Vehicle. We are so excited about what the DAMAGE iD A-Team comes up with next!!
DAMAGE iD continues to develop Upgrades for IOS and Android
Welcome 2019 as DAMAGE iD continues to Pump Out recent Upgrades and innovations for the World’s Leading Damage identification Solution.
Charlie Dalsass, the DAMAGE iD software engineer continues to produce user-friendly means to document the condition of one’s vehicles.
Whether it be for a Fleet Transportation System, a Motor Home or Camper rental, Rental Car Company, Amazon delivery Service, or any business or Municipality with a Shared Fleet, DAMAGE iD is here to be THE Award-winning, Global Solution to solve your needs of identifying and documenting the previous and New Damage on your Vehicle.
The latest Android Upgrade will incorporate the Barcode Scanning system to quickly and accurately identify the vehicle and ADD this unit onto the Cases of the Fleet List. Most recent Upgrades have allowed the Agent to “Flag” or Mark Damage as pre-existing in order to alleviate Customer confusion as to when the Damage actually occurred. This strategy greatly improves customer satisfaction.
Another Customer Satisfaction improvement is viewing the Outgoing Images upon the Return of the Rental. Pictures don’t lie, and date and time-stamped images allow for NO questions when it comes to the condition of the vehicle at the time of the Rental Agreement. This feature is now available on BOTH IOS and Android.
Charlie continues to develop and Upgrade DAMAGE iD. We look forward to what he does next!!
We’ve added the ability to pre-fill your username and passwords, because we know how frustrating it is to perform a walk-around while trying to type those tricky passwords.
Password Auto-Fill was introduced in DAMAGE iD Android version 2.0 and iPhone version 1.0.8 in late summer 2018.
Here’s how it works for each of the different app platforms.
Android
Android is dead simple. Just enter your password the first time, and from that point on, it will be remembered for you.
The password is stored in an encrypted form, but please note that someone else using your phone could login as you and compromise your identity.
In order to remove the password, just uninstall and reinstall the app.
IPhone
IPhone uses the Apple Keychain technology to secure your passwords.
Apple devices store the password in the “Keychain”. Look for the small key when you login.
If you are using ICloud Keychain or Safari Autofill to store your passwords already, the easiest way to use this feature is to log into the “Review Portal” site at https://app.damageid.com with Safari (mobile or desktop) and choose “Remember my Password”.
Next, login to the app. After tapping on the “Username” field, the QuickType Bar will appear at the top of the slide up keypad. Look for a little key icon (see below).
After clicking the key icon, the password which was saved on the website will appear.
If you aren’t using ICloud Keychain or Safari Autofill, you can still use Auto-Fill on DAMAGE iD by entering it manually the first time.
To enter it manually, go to your IPhone Settings and choose: Accounts and Passwords -> App & WebSite Passwords and choose “Add Password”. Add “app.damageid.com” for the website, and your standard username and password.
From that point on, you should see the key icon and the QuickType Bar when logging into the app.
In a few short weeks, DAMAGE ID has launched 2 new releases, thanks to our developer/engineer, Charlie Dalsass. Here’s what he has to say, “The newest release automatically stores the username and password on the users’ device which saves the agent TIME, and ultimately $$$$, during the walk-around process. This release will really save time for users.” – Charlie Dalsass, DamageID Software Engineer.
Be on the LOOKOUT for our BIGGEST UPDATE
which will further simplify and provide quick access to the documentation
process. While DAMAGE ID was originally
launched at the International Car Rental Show in April, 2014, by Jack
Vercollone and his crew, it has been put on the “back burner”, so to speak,
while Mr. Vercollone was operating his independent Verc Car Rentals and setting
up a Sixt Franchise. Currently, the
franchise failed and Jack has retired from Verc, allowing him time to be FULLY
invested in DAMAGE ID.
With the partnership of Charlie Dalsass,
we look forward to a vibrant re-launch into the Car Rental Market.
