Mitchell International acquired Vancouver, Canada-based ClaimTools, the creator of a digital camera and photo management solution designed to improve shop operations.

ClaimTools' solution is designed to transform the time-consuming process of capturing, sorting and accessing collision-related photographs into an efficient, streamlined process that enables shops to visually document the repair and improve communication with insurance partners and parts vendors at any stage of the repair process.
 
"We are extremely excited about the value that combining ClaimTools photo management technology with Mitchell's existing portfolio brings to our collision repair and insurance customers,” says Jesse Herrera, Mitchell’s senior vice president, Product Management and Marketing. “ClaimTools fits perfectly as an integrated component of Mitchell RepairCenter and WorkCenter by eliminating the time consuming and manual processes of managing digital photos."
 
Mitchell said shops using ClaimTools can save 10 to 30 minutes per repair order, which can reduce cycle times. Insurers also benefit through the ability to easily share photos with repair partners, subrogation and SIU. ClaimTools helps users capture and wirelessly transmit vehicle photos, conveniently storing them in clearly identified folders.
 
ClaimTools enables everyone working on the repair order to fully capture estimate dollars associated with point of impact, replacement parts, supplement requests, prior damage, and other components of the repair process, Mitchell said. The solution also backs up all photos daily to a secure off-site data center in case shops ever need to recover their photos.
 
ClaimTools' photo management technology will become an integral part of RepairCenter, which Mitchell will unveil Nov. 5-7 at NACE in Las Vegas. Collision repairers are encouraged to visit Mitchell's booth at NACE (#N3087) to see a live demo of the technology.
 
ClaimTools is available to Mitchell customers by contacting Mitchell at (800) 238-9111. To learn more, visit www.mitchell.com/claimtools.