Keith Browning Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 I know there may have been discussion of this in the past but I am wondering what some of your dealers are using for ESST inventory and tracking? Here is one such example: ToolCrib If any of you use this your opinion is wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Amacker Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 I've heard other people that keep the tools in the parts dept with a PN assigned to each tool with zero cost, and bill it out to each tech when needed and credit him when returned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 I've heard other people that keep the tools in the parts dept with a PN assigned to each tool with zero cost, and bill it out to each tech when needed and credit him when returned. THAT concept is worth bringing to the table Bruce! Cataloging and locating the tools is only half of the equation. Getting technicians to respect the tools and having them returned to the proper cases and accounted for is the other half. This method would work but I would like to be able to view the inventory and search. You would need to be able to tell the counter person which boxes to retrieve. Perhaps a combination of software cataloging that can be shared by everyone and storing and monitoring in the parts department can be made to work effectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Warman Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Tool Crib software was written by an acquaintance of mine... he is very knowledgeable regarding Fords ESSTs - honest. It comes, as I understand, with info already loaded. We use Microsoft Excel at work - the red cases are given a number, a location and the contents are listed by new number, old number if applicable and description. Leave extra columns for TSB or FSA numbers and such. (the cases are stored on shelves in the numerical order we have assigned). Bruces suggestion adds some responsibility and traceability to the tool(s). If a tool goes back broken or doesn't go back at all, at least you can find the last person to use the and remind them of toolroom etiquette. There is the downside of increased administration. If the parts dept. or other entity assigned to overseeing the plan is busy, is there a chance that a popular tool might be caught in "limbo"? FWIW, I don't like having stuff charged to my account because things alway have a way of slipping through the cracks. Not long ago my paycheque was a surprise.... $300 worth of brake rotors I got for my boys truck were returned - but not creditted. Not a big deal since I didn't have any real plans for that money this time around, anyway.... but if I was in the middle of something, it could have been embarassing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 Good to always bring forth the cons of an idea. Accountability is something that has plagued our dealership for at least a generation. I for one am sick and tired of searching for thing I should not have to. Fortunately I have kept all of the diesel tools and ESST boxes locked in a cabinet in my shop. The guys that need access have the code to the lock. I am not going to police the entire shop. Can't. But this is an idea worth discussing with coworkers and management. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Warman Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Worse yet is finding the tool only to discover it is broken and nobody has ordered a replacement. FWIW, we do not charge broken ESSTs to a tech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 Unless the tech has broken the tool repeatedly... Knowing that tools wear, tools break a no-charge policy must be made common knowledge. I expect that a broken tool be brought up for repair or replacement. I also expect that it be properly returned, clean and in the proper storage box. We will see where this goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Warman Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 If a tech repeatedly breaks a tool it may simply be time for a lesson on the proper use of the tool. Peer pressure may be required to "cement" the lesson. As a digression, I offer a youtube vid posted to another venue that bemoans flat rate and shitty management for it's ills - while the video shows those of us in the trenches making each others lives miserable. One of the biggest impediments we can face is our lack of respect for each other. From the empty toilet paper roller to the broken ESST to the dirty sink... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Clayton Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Regarding that vid, the keys and the F-150 dash really hit home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Warman Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 They both do for me as well... except that I have reached into my pocket and found keys that shouldn't be there as often as I have looked for keys that are in someone elses pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Clayton Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 One thing that absolutely doesn't happen is the guy annoying the poor fellow working on the sicko. I joke around in the shop but not while I am working under a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbudge Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 One day I am going to sew everyone's pockets shut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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