The state of Utah has a new computerized system for vehicle safety and emissions inspection tests. This will replace a manual system already in place. Implementation must take place for our mechanics to continue safety inspections on fleet and sale vehicles.
Utah State Emission and Safetly inspections for vehicles will soon be done completely online. As of the first of July 2005, the state is no longer accepting the old certificates done by hand.
Mechanics will need to sign up to use online inspections certificates. It will be best to register under a business account linked to our certificates. When a mechanic passes the test and is authorized to inspect, he or she is given an inspection number to use. Each mechanic has his or her own individual inspection number. This number will help differentiate between mechanics and enable them to sign certificates over the internet. For security purposes each mechanic will make a personal password of his or her choice. This password will insure that no one can log in for someone else.
Classes are provided to tech mechanics to use the program. Mechanics will need to go to these two classes at night. This will result in overtime and needs to be approved.
Electronic certificates will need to be purchased. This will be done by the Service Center Manager. The cost of these certificates is the same cost of $2.00 each. Due to the fact that you cannot lose, mess up, or destroy electronic certificates, this will actually save the service center money and time. To have a smooth transition we should have this program implemented before we us all of our old certificates. We will us old certificates until we run out.
The service center would need to be given a computer with Windows XP or 2000 operating system. The computer will need to have internet access. This access would need to be more than our intranet (internal systems net for the building). The internet will be necessary to communicate with an outside source the state has provided. It would be best to run a separate internet line to a new computer specifically for inspection use. This will keep the mechanics out of an already crowded office. Computer set up needs to be coordinated through the ICS department.
Recap sheets are not required for stations that are online. A recap sheet is a copy of the inspections slip. Sheets are kept for two years as required by law. We will no longer have to store these recap sheets. All work done is tored on a state data computer and can be searched by car, date, mechanic and license.
This makes it easy to back track work done. Easy back tracking prevents repeated inspections by different mechanics. However, all records from the previous two years will still need to be kept until they are cycled out.
A bar code scanner can be attached to the computer to speed up the inspection time. All car information can be entered by just using the bar code scanner. Not only will this speed up time, but will also reduce human error.
Internet inspection will be to our advantage. It may save us money, increase speed, and save filing space. We need to implement this new state requirement as soon as possible to insure a smooth transition.
Lyle Toronto
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