Mitchell Unveils UltraMate ‘Premier Suite’

San Diego-based Mitchell International Inc., a provider of information and workflow solutions to the automotive insurance claims industry, has introduced UltraMate (UM) Premier Suite, the newest member of its claims workflow family that streamlines claims handling and enhances the collision shop-insurance carrier relationship.

Mitchell’s Premier Suite integrates Mitchell’s UltraMate estimating solution; digital imaging; broadband and wireless communications into its eClaim Manager workflow management system. The integration of these capabilities into a single, easy-to-use application suite enables collision repair shops to work more closely with insurance partners to process claims of their shared customer base faster, simply and more profitably.

UM Premier Suite provides a simple and intuitive user interface enabling shops to receive assignments from numerous DRP partners simultaneously, create estimates, add images, and then send completed claims packages instantly to their insurance partners using broadband, wireless, or dial-up communications. With UM Premier Suite’s workflow and communications eClaim module, estimates are automatically pre-populated with assignment information to save shops time and reduce errors. This module also enables collision shops to easily track the progress of each job and quickly respond to supplement requests. The net result of the integration of these claims processing features is reportedly faster and more accurate claims processing, and more productive, harmonious relationships with insurance partners.

Shops can reportedly further benefit from the tight integration of UltraMate Premier Suite with the Mitchell Shop Network, which enables partner shops to receive referral work electronically from a symposium of Carriers and to build relationships with carriers as they engage in efficient electronic workflows that reduce repair times, rental charges, and boost customer satisfaction.

In addition, by leveraging Mitchell’s AutocheX customer satisfaction system, well performing shops can obtain significant merit based referral work from carriers while they also gain valuable feedback to improve their marketing efforts and services.

Key UltraMate Premier Suite Shop Benefits include:

— Streamlined Workflow Saves Time And Effort: A single application and single upload process (containing estimates, images and all related documents) save time, effort and reduce errors. Further, shops receive new assignments continuously from insurers even while they complete and upload others. Batch upload and background communication capabilities further speed exchanges while freeing shop personnel from attending to the PC.

— Enhanced and Expanding Shop-Carrier Relationships: Bi-directional communications with insurers let shops receive assignments directly and return claims folders with all required documents, building solid, mutually beneficial relationships that are efficient and profitable. Continuous electronic exchanges, pre-population of the estimating module with assignment information, integrated imaging, and simple workflow management capabilities reduce turnaround times and wasted phone/fax communication efforts… Also, Premier Suite’s wireless capability helps shops to grow into the richer DRP role where they become an extension to the insurer’s field estimating team.

— High-Speed Broadband and LAN Access Save Shops Time and Effort: Premier Suite supports DSL, Cable, and all forms of broadband access to speed up exchanges between shop and insurer. It also provides LAN support (both Microsoft and Novell) to enable access throughout the shop network. Continued support for dialup connectivity ensures ubiquitous access.

— Wireless Mobility for ‘anytime, anywhere’ estimates: Premier Suite offer shops mobile productivity capabilities (for both wide area/cellular and local 802.11) that give the freedom to perform estimates anytime, anywhere, remaining productive wherever possible, and avoiding the need to re-key field estimates when back in the office.

— Increased Marketing Opportunities: Shops can take advantage of marketing opportunities on the Mitchell Shop Network’s portal, which makes it possible to engage with more partners and build incremental referral business. Additionally, links to Mitchell’s AutocheX system enable shops to efficiently gather customer satisfaction information to help refine their practices and gain more referral business from insurers.