The latest Mitchell Cloud Estimating update integrates OEM repair procedures and service information during the creation of estimates and repair plans in an effort to support proper and safe vehicle repairs, according to the company.

Initially introduced in 2018, the latest version of the solution adds two more layers of capabilities regarding select participating OEMs.

Today's auto body shops spend two or more hours just researching OEM procedures before finalizing an estimate or repair plan, according to industry experts.

The enhanced Mitchell tool directly addresses that challenge. The goal of the solution is help the auto body/collision industry provide comprehensive estimates faster so they can ultimately, expedite swifter repair. That can help reduce the number of unsafe, unrepaired vehicles on the nation's roadways.

In 2018, there were nearly 30 million vehicles on the road with unrepaired safety recalls, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Mitchell's Integrated Repair Procedures automatically searches for and displays relevant OEM repair procedures during the creation of estimates and repair plans. The solution works seamlessly within Mitchell Cloud Estimating for all OEMs.

The latest release adds two additional layers of integration capabilities for select OEMs. The second level of integration maps repair procedures to individual repair lines, allowing estimators and technicians to see the exact repair procedures that relate to a specific line on the estimate. The third layer of integration adds a Table of Contents option, so that the user has immediate access to the entire catalogue of repair procedures for the OEM.

General Motors is the first OEM to have their full suite of service information made available with three layers of integration in the procedures.