Victor Technologies UK Ltd of High Wycombe, a subsidiary of US-based Tandy Corp says the Audatex car damage assessment software program is available on its Grid Pen notepad-sized personal computer; the Audatex system is a graphics system that displays exploded diagrams of cars; replacement or repair needs can then be indicated with the Grid’s pen and display features, and the information displayed on an electronic worksheet; the information is then sent to the Audatex mainframe computer over a phone line, radio transmitter or cellular network; complete repair information, including manufacturers’ repair procedures, part numbers and costs is sent back to the Pen-PC in seconds; aimed primarily at insurance engineers and garages, it is available now, prices range from UKP3,000 to UKP5,000 depending on the number of cars identified on the system, a turnkey package including 20Mb grid, printer, modems and communications, software and a case will go for UKP5,000; the product is being tested by companies at the moment.
