View of the exposition room before opening
Day 1, 2021 International Car Rental Show, Las Vegas
More Storage, Plus 20 Extra Photos on DAMAGE iD Version 3.8
We’ve just added an 20 EXTRA PHOTOS to the latest version of DAMAGE iD!
You’ve asked for this for a long time… the ability to take multiple photos of a specific damage when it’s found. You want the most detail you can get … so take more photos and video!
Our latest version offers 20 “Other” photos for a total of 27 total photos and videos.*
*Remember, DAMAGE iD doesn’t charge extra for storage space. Photos are stored at no additional cost – and as long as you keep the vehicle in the DAMAGE iD system. At ten seconds each, that can be up to 9 minutes of video per case! That’s alot of MBs!
Another benefit to the increased storage, is that you can now review/retake the photos more easily. No need to click the (+) plus icon — the “Other” photos stay in place the entire time.
Finally, all photos that are customized will appear on the screen.
Now you can more easily show employees which photos they must take.
The new features is available in Android 3.8 version 55. (This feature is not yet available for IOS/iPhone/iPad).
We hope this great new feature helps you keep your fleet damage-free.
We are so happy to be launching this new feature. Happy Fourth of July to all our loyal customers and friends!
Tech Tip #2: How to Increase or Decrease Photo Brightness (Exposure)
We believe there is no better software for finding and proving damage than DAMAGE iD.
However, you must take great photos in order to get an accurate, detailed digital record of your vehicles’ condition.
To make taking great photos easier for you, in Android 3.7 (r54), we’ve added an exposure slider.
Now when taking photos, just click the “sun” icon. See below!
You are never going to find or prove vehicle damage if your photos are “washed out” or “over-exposed” like the above photo.
Use the exposure icon (“the sun” icon) to prevent bad photos.
Best of luck taking great photos with DAMAGE iD!
Tech Tip: How to Sort Vehicles by Numerical Unit Number
Unit numbers in DAMAGE iD can contain either numbers or letters (or a mixture of the two).
Some customers mix numbers and letters in vehicle Unit Number. Some use only numbers, e.g. 0-9.
When sorting vehicles by Unit Number, the order can be somewhat unexpected for users who use only numbers.
For example, the default Vehicle sorting will order the vehicles like this:
1111, 2
Because alphabetically, “1111” comes before “2” – even though “1111” is bigger than “2”.
If you prefer to sort the vehicles like this:
2, 1111
Select the option “All Unit Numbers are numeric”.
This will sort your vehicles in the way you expect it within the Case List and the Vehicles List (click the table heading to sort by any field).
After changing the setting, the following sorting will be used.
DAMAGE iD Version 3.7 Introduces Location Tracking on Photos
Now you have one more way to protect your fleet.
We’ve just added location tracking to DAMAGE iD photos!
The new features is available in Android 3.7 version 50. (This feature is not yet available for IOS/iPhone/iPad).
Location tracking provides accountability for vehicle condition of your rental, DSP or car-sharing fleet!
To enable, click the “Gear” icon on the main screen after logging into the DAMAGE iD app.
Click the “Add location on photos” option.
You will be prompted by the app to allow this feature. Location tracking must also be enabled inside the Android settings.
From that point on, the location will appear on your photos.
We hope this great new feature helps you keep your fleet damage-free.
Best of luck with your fleet!
How to Bulk Archive and Delete Vehicles in the Review Portal
We’ve just added a new capability in the Vehicles (Cars) section of the Review Portal.
You can now modify up to 50 vehicles at one time. This works for the following bulk actions:
- Delete
- Activate
- Archive
- De-Activate
And you can select up to 50 vehicles with a single click. See below:
In addition, we’ve added a new field “Date Created“.
(The Date Created will be blank for existing vehicles, but will be filled when new vehicles are created).
Click ‘DATE CREATED‘ column in the Vehicles list to order vehicles by this date. (Click again to reverse order).
This should be a big time-saver for customers such as auto dealerships or automotive repair shops who delete vehicles after a short period of time.
Hopefully you will make use of this great new feature!
Get in “Sync” with 2 Powerful New Settings
We’ve just added 2 new settings in DAMAGE iD Android 3.7.
(Be sure to Upgrade your DAMAGE iD Version if you aren’t already on 3.7).
The 2 new options are “Sync media over Wi-Fi only” and “Photo Compression”.
Here’s what they look like:
Sync media over Wi-Fi only is used to conserve your mobile data connection while you are on the road or rental lot.
Enabling Sync media over Wi-Fi allows you to take all your photos but not sync any photos/videos until you reach Wi-Fi. When you return to Wi-Fi (office, home, coffee-shop) then DAMAGE iD will begin its uploading.
Here’s the background:
DAMAGE iD uses a small amount of “network” in order to keep the cases in sync. This network use keeps order – making sure case numbers are in proper sequence on the Review Portal.
After photos/video are taken, the media sync/upload process within DAMAGE iD starts up. In this sync/upload process, DAMAGE iD copies the images from your phone to Cloud storage. This can use a lot of bandwidth. (Here’s a simple calculation: 5 megabytes per photo or video X 12 photos X 2 for before and after photos. That can max up to 120 megabytes of data per case!).
Enable Sync media over Wi-Fi … and no more expensive mobile data bills!
Photo Compression allows you to control compression vs image quality.
We recommend you capture the highest quality (least compressed) photos you able to.
However, there are times when these photos are just too large and bulky and the extra size is unnecessary or barely noticeable.
Options are “None”, “75%”, “60%”, “50%” and “25%”.
75% compression will reduce image quality and size a little.
25% will reduce quality and image size the most.
We look forward to hearing your feedback on the new settings.
ps. We are also working on improving the speed of downloads within the Review Portal next. The new release will greatly increase the download speed of these images without requiring any reduction in photo quality. Look for a major Review Portal release announcement coming soon!
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.
Are you Going Out? You Just got Flagged!
No, thankfully, this isn’t the Corona police! ? ?
How about some great news instead? ???
Yesterday, we launched an important change to the DAMAGE iD Review Portal.
First, a little background.
DAMAGE iD stores “Before” and “After” photos and video in a “Case”. The Case brings the 2 sets photos together for easy comparison – before and after. The before-and-after comparison makes it super easy to find damage that occurred during a rental or between change in drivers. It’s really true: “Pictures Don’t Lie”.
The “Case List”, in the Review Portal is where the Cases are found. Cases can be searched by unit number, VIN, license plate, user etc.
BUT some customers, prefer not to take both “Before” and “After” photos. Rather, they choose to take only “Before” photos and video, and skip the “After” pictures.
And that’s fine!
Because we’ve just made DAMAGE iD easier for these customers.
In past versions of DAMAGE, any damage found during the “Going Out” (or “Before”) pictures would not appear within the search results of the Case List when “see something” was checked.
We’ve changed this.
Now you will see RED FLAGs for damage found in the “Going Out” (or “Before”) pictures as well as the return photos.
This feature is important for DSPs or Amazon Delivery Service Providers.
DSPs often choose to use DAMAGE iD by creating a new Case every time they take photo and video. These users, who only have “Before” pictures, can’t easily find damage from the Case List.
Now it is easy for them to find damage – either “Before” or “After”.
Hopefully rental customers will also benefit from this change as well!
Hopefully you will love this new change.
As always, let us know if you have feedback, by emailing our A-Team Support Staff.
“The Matrix” is Launched (on Android)!
Release – 3.7 on the Android platform is now live!
Be sure to visit the Google Play Store to get your upgrade. Or, view the complete, instructions to upgrade on Android devices to get your update.
p.s. If you are unsure which version you have, look on the main screen. The version number appears in red at bottom of screen – see screenshot below.
What to Expect
With 3.7, the photo review is now on the app. Now, you don’t have to visit the Review Portal to see past photos.
After login, you will see a slightly different screen, with a “View Photos” button. This new screen allows you to scroll through the photo (and movie) history quickly, to find the source of “mystery damage”.
View Photos Screen
The notes below should help with any questions you have with navigation.
The below video shows how the sequence scroller is used.
We know this update will save lots of money!
And Apple iPhone users – never fear! We are working on the IOS version of this release. We will have that ready this Fall.
Let us know how the “Matrix” version works for you by emailing the “A-TEAM” with your feedback.
Be Prepared for Our Latest New Release … “The Matrix” ? ? ?
For all you movie buffs, we’ve code-named our “Neo” DAMAGE iD release … “The Matrix”!
We chose this name because, now – directly on the app – you can scroll “vertically” (in time) and horizontally (over the positions of photos taken) – a “grid” (or matrix) layout. We think make identifying where a damage was first introduced much easier than today’s version.
All fun aside, we think this feature will save you some serious money on vehicle damage.
This release is targeted especially for DSPs – but also relevant for rental companies as well.
Today, the DAMAGE iD app has one main “flow”: The ability to take photos and video, then upload them into the cloud.
In the “Matrix” version (3.7), there are now two main “flows” – the ability to take photos and video and to review them.
We are planning to launch “The Matrix” release version 3.7 on Android first. Once we receive feedback on Android, we’ll then launch on Apple (IOS) devices. Look for an announcement shortly.
So …. Are you ready to enter “The Matrix”? ?? If so, please send us your feedback at the email below.
Your “A-TEAM”, (support@damageid.com)
Why Amazon DSPs are choosing to use DAMAGE iD for their Reporting System
Damage to the Fleet is the biggest Loss from profit. It’s hard enough making a profit as a DSP Owner, never mind paying exorbitant Damage Costs. DAMAGE iD provides DSPs with an affordable software solution which monitors the condition of the Fleet sending the Date and Time-stamped Images Directly to the Owner. DSP Dispatchers, Managers or Drivers take daily photos of the Vans to keep track of the van’s condition and provide a running audit. This Daily Photo Report helps the Owner notice WHEN and with WHOM the Damage occurred. DSP Owners have requested the ability to View ALL Past photos on the App in a “Photo Matrix” (to be announced soon). DAMAGE iD is developing the “Photo Matrix” feature, due for launch this Month!! Contact DAMAGE iD today at: https://www.damageid.com/dsp/
?? ¡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.
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
? We just Launched VIN Scanner for IOS in DAMAGE iD Version 3.3 ║█║
Today we launched DAMAGE iD version 3.3 for iPhone and iPad.
In this release, we’ve added the VIN scanner which has been available on Android for a few months now.
Now you can identify vehicles in 3 different ways:
- Unit Number
- License Plate
- VIN
This gives rental agencies, DSPs and transporters even more flexibility when using DAMAGE iD to identify and track vehicle damage.
You can see the VIN scanner in the screenshots below.
After logging in, click the bar code to the right of the “unit number” input field when checking out your vehicle.
The VIN scanner appears. Hover the red line over the bar code for a few seconds and the VIN will be captured.
PRO TIP: Use the flashlight in case the light is low.
Once the VIN is captured, the “Checkout” is automatically submitted. You can now begin your walk-around, photographing and taking videos, building your permanent digital archive of your vehicles’ condition.
We have done 2 DAMAGE iD releases for IOS in the past month. With these releases we are happy to (finally) be achieving “feature parity” with Android. Now both Android and IOS have nearly the same features.
Keep your eyes out for more updates and announcements soon. We are still moving ahead quickly with DAMAGE iD and have some great things in store this summer.
Contact the “A-Team” with any questions or problems with the VIN scanner.
âš¡? Auto-Forwarding Introduced in DAMAGE iD iPhone (IOS) Version 3.2 Provides Speedy Walk-Aroundâš¡ ?
We are excited to announce IOS/iPhone/iPad 3.2 is now available on the App Store.
Here’s what you get when you download 3.2.
1. Improved Speed of the Walk-Around by Auto-Forwarding Photos
No more rotating the camera each time you walk to the next position. The overlay automatically rotates to the next position, making your walk-around much smoother and faster.
2. Signature Pad on Outgoing and Return
About 2 months ago, we launched Outgoing Signature Pad and Return Signature Pad for Android.
iPhone users – there is NO NEED TO FEEL LEFT OUT!
(Just be sure to adjust your settings in the Review Portal.)
In version 3.2 you’ll see the Signature Pad when you complete a vehicle inspection (outgoing and return, depending on settings).
3. Ability to Compress Images
Today’s iPhones, like the iPhone X and iPhone 11 take high definition photos with great detail.
BUT they can be HUGE.
We’ve heard from some customers that they prefer a little less image quality vs. having to wait for their images to upload (and appear within the Review Portal). Although we recommend you use the best resolution possible, sometimes slow network speeds can make this compression a requirement – especially on these new phones.
Now you can reduce your wait times for uploading by adding compression to your photos.
4. iPhone X and iPhone 11 Notification Bug has been Fixed
Ok, this is a really a bug – not a feature!
Our users will be glad to know that we have used the “Safe Region” on version 3.2 – no more missing those uploading notifications!
We hope you enjoy version 3.2 for iPhone/iPad!
As with any new version, there can be problems, so please contact the “A-TEAM” if you notice anything wrong.
Best of luck getting your business up and running again now that Coronavurs is (mostly) out of the way!
How to Enable Numeric or Alpha Keyboard on Unit Number (Android)
UPDATED Summer 2020: As of Android version 3.6, the Alpha or Numeric keyboard setting is now found within the Settings area of the app. Click the “Setting Gear” âš™ icon to reveal this setting.
For versions prior to 3.6, to enable numeric (or alpha) keyboard input into the VIN/Unit Number field on Android, CLICK THE LOGO on that screen.
This will enable a settings screen, which allows you to toggle the setting.
After version 3.6 we use a more conventional “Setting Gear” âš™ icon which you can click to reveal this setting.
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:
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”.
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 $$$ on Damage again!!
As always, reach out to us at support@damageid.com with any problems, suggestions or feedback.
It’s Time to Get Specific on Identifying Damage … “Annotation” has Launched!
Increase your Company’s Integrity with more Specific DAMAGE markings. We feel your Pain!! For a long time, our customers have asked for the ability to mark and comment on specific damages within DAMAGE iD.
We call this “Annotation”. The ability to circle and comment on specific damages.
On April 10, 2020, we launched this new feature. “Annotation” is now available within the (desktop) Review Portal.
Here’s how it works:
Going forward, users take photos of the vehicle, performing regular, routine walk-around on the vehicle using the mobile applications (available in Android and IOS). A red button will appear showing the vehicle has existing damages.
Click the “Existing Damages” button to see all the damages on the vehicle, and browse through the original photos where damage was first noticed.
To view all damages within your fleet, we’ve created a new “Damage Report” under “Reports”.
We hope “Annotation” takes our product to an entirely different level.
Please give “Annotation” a try and let us know if it helps you better identify and capture damage. It’s time to Charge the Money You’re due on Minor, Mystery DAMAGE. Never lose $$$ on Damage again!!
As always, reach out to us at support@damageid.com with any problems, suggestions or feedback.
? Couldn’t Make the Trade Show? Attend “Virtual Vegas” Instead ?? ??
Please attend our ZOOM Webinar this Thursday. Find out how to save money, improve employee morale, and make customers happier. For rental agencies, DSP fleets and transportation companies struggling with accountability from their drivers, renters and lessees.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/465657418
Meeting ID: 465 657 418
? ? 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.
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 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!