Drew Tech starts Remote Assistance Programming (RAP) Vehicle Services Business

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Drew Technologies, a subsidiary of Opus Inspection, announces the release of its Remote Assisted Programming (RAP) service – a vital new element in the Vehicle Services portion of Opus Inspection's business. The RAP service, initially offered in the U.S., consists of a self-contained hardware kit and a remote assistance service conducted by Drew Tech expert technicians. It allows any repair shop to update software in the vehicle's computer system during service or reprogram when replacing parts. The RAP service brings advanced capabilities to independent repair shops while removing the burden of continuous training and up front equipment expense. In the past, these sorts of advanced capabilities were often available only to dealerships due to the high costs of dealer tools and OEM training programs. RAP service fills the gap in this vital reprogramming need by providing independent shops with the appropriate tools and remote assist expertise.

Technicians are challenged to keep up with tools, training, and experience required to service the many brands of vehicles.  This is particularly true for the millions of software updates and reprogramming actions that are required each year. Often, technicians are turning down repair jobs that require reprogramming because they aren't equipped, or have concerns that lack of training and experience could lead to difficulties in completing the repair. As the number of computers in vehicles increases with each model year, the complexity of required software reprogramming goes up. This is a particular problem for independent repair shops that service many different brands without the benefit of dealer tools or training programs.  Drew Technologies now provides a new solution with the RAP service to address this growing demand.  The RAP service puts the tools and our trained professionals at the shops disposal without requiring a massive investment in hardware, software licensing, or training.

The RAP service was designed as a low-cost, turn-key remote solution that can be used by automotive technicians, regardless of their experience level. "Using our J2534 tools, experienced Drew Tech customers successfully reprogram cars thousands of times all over the world each and every day. The introduction of this RAP service provides access to a whole new group of technicians who need the capability to reprogram vehicles but don't have required tools, continuous training, or confidence that all required information is available to them. The RAP service will give our customers immediate access, a per-use fee structure, and a success guarantee," says Brian Herron, President of Drew Technologies.

The RAP service leverages success from other Drew Technologies J2534 products and its industry leading vehicle communication support team, while incorporating over a decade's worth of intellectual property with several patents pending. The system has been tested by repair shops and automakers since March of 2016 with hundreds of successful reprogramming events completed. The RAP service promises to open the door for independent shops to fulfill the needs of their customers in an increasingly complex field of vehicle service and repair.

Opus Group AB (publ)

This press info is available in Swedish at www.opus.se. This is an English translation of the Swedish press release. In case of differences between the English translation and the Swedish original, the Swedish text shall prevail.

Opus Group is a leading innovative technology focused growth company in the vehicle inspection market. The company has a strong focus on customer service and innovative technology within IT, emission testing and vehicle communication. The Group had SEK 1,650 million in revenues in 2015 with strong operating cash flow and good operating profitability. With over 1,500 employees, Opus Group is headquartered in Mölndal in the Gothenburg region of Sweden and has 25 regional offices, 20 in the United States and the others in Stockholm, Peru, Chile, Mexico and Pakistan. Opus Group has production facilities in the U.S. in Hartford and Ann Arbor. The Opus Group share is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

SOURCE Drew Technologies