Snapshot
ALLDATA is the leading provider of OEM-accurate automotive mechanical and collision repair information. Every day, repair and collision technicians trust ALLDATA’s software to access the latest OEM information for faster diagnostics and safe, accurate repairs. The ALLDATA team needed to make it easier for technicians to scan VIN codes to identify vehicles needing repairs. Their existing solution using Opensource libraries was only achieving a 50% success rate due to glare and awkward angles. Using Dynamsoft Barcode Reader SDK, the team improved scanning success from 50% to 80%.
Introduction
At ALLDATA, the goal is to provide OEM-accurate automotive repair information to enable safe, accurate vehicle repairs. Customers are repair and collision shops, while typical end-users are technicians. The company’s automotive repair and collision software provides unedited OEM information to guide diagnostics and repairs for over 400,000 technicians worldwide. ALLDATA’s repair procedures, including interactive color-coded wiring diagrams, help technicians achieve fast and safe repairs.
ALLDATA also assists with diagnosing vehicles and writing up repair estimates for customers. Every day, users scan VIN barcodes to identify vehicles, pre-populate inspections documents or identify detailed repair procedures straight from the manufacturers.
Challenge
ALLDATA was originally using tablets equipped with open-source barcode scanning libraries. Technicians were only able to achieve a 50% scanning success rate due to difficulties with access to VIN codes; scans require exact camera positioning in the right spot while holding the tablet very still.
The team needed to improve scanning success rates dramatically. They needed a mobile barcode reading SDK for .NET MAUI, which was easy to implement and well supported. The barcode reader needed to achieve high read rates even with the lower quality cameras found on most tablets and when scanning at awkward angles.
With Dynamsoft Barcode Reader for MAUI we’ve improved our VIN scanning from a 50% to 80% success rate."
– Michael Nasers, Manager Software Development, ALLDATA
Solution
The development team evaluated several options and built POCs for each. Evaluation criteria included performance, pricing and ease of implementation. Dynamsoft Barcode Reader was a clear winner, with exceptional performance and markedly easier implementation. Technical support also guided the team through setting up templates to fit the most common VIN codes encountered to maximize scanning success.
Dynamsoft technical support was very responsive, which made implementation so much quicker and easier."
– Michael Nasers, Manager Software Development, ALLDATA
Impact
Previously, technicians were only able to achieve 50% scanning success rates, using iPhone cameras. Now, using Dynamsoft Barcode Reader, scan rates have increased to 80%, even with lower quality tablet cameras.
Roughly 7,000 shop technicians are now doing fast, painless VIN scans using tablets equipped with Dynamsoft Barcode Reader. That number is growing every day as more customers adopt the mobile product.
About Dynamsoft Barcode Reader SDK
Dynamsoft Barcode Reader is a premier SDK designed to deliver high accuracy and speed, even under challenging scanning conditions. By leveraging cutting-edge algorithms, developers can easily integrate robust barcode scanning into their solutions.
The SDK's flexible integration options also make it an ideal solution for applications requiring swift and precise barcode reading without the need for extensive development work.