Alternate Parts Profiles

If you are an Alternate Part Profile user, you can write an estimate with alternate parts in Mitchell Cloud Estimating. Compare alternate part profiles and their options (including aftermarket or recycled parts) using the Compare Alternate Parts window.

Note for TruckMax Users: The insurance company can choose which TruckMax Alternate Part Providers (TAPP) to display through the Parts Profile in WorkCenter. Once selections are made, only the Alternate Parts from the approved companies display in Mitchell Cloud Estimating.

How to

  1. From the Estimate Editor page, click Estimate Profile from the left navigation panel.
  2. Select the Estimate Profile you want to use from the list.
  3. Click the Parts tab to view the Alternate Part Profiles options.

    Tip: If there are no Alternate Part Profiles available, access Settings to create one. Visit the "Create New Estimate Profile" topic for instructions.

  4. Click Edit .
  5. Select the Alternate Part Profile you want to use.
  6. Click Apply Changes.

  1. In the Parts or Split View tab of Mitchell Cloud Estimating, search for parts in the search bar or select a vehicle area and part (for example, Front Bumper).

  2. Select the part or number in the diagram for the part.
  3. Select the R&R labor operation.
  4. Select the line for the parts you need to display the part description, labor type, labor units, part type, part number, price, and tax.

  5. Click Compare to find an alternate part. A spinner displays, indicating that the parts are being fetched from the third party provider. Once the available parts are retrieved, the Compare Alternate Parts window opens.

    Note: For TruckMax Commercial Trucks, after market parts are available directly from the database as you write the estimate. You do not need to use the Compare Alternate Parts feature.

  6. Select the desired part profile from the window and click Done.

  7. Click Add Line to add it to the estimate.

  8. The Aftermarket and or Recycled Part Vendor information appear on the estimate report (PDF).

Note: Insurance companies may require alternate parts when completing an estimate. The Required Part Comparison section in the Parts tab of the estimate profile allows the insurance company to enable required parts comparisons. With this feature enabled, you will automatically see the Compare button when adding parts to the estimate that meet the minimum price criteria set in the estimate profile.

Repair lines added to the estimate can be checked against Alternate Parts through the Compare Alternate Parts window accessed on the Estimate tab.

  1. Open a new or existing estimate.

  2. Click the Estimate tab.
  3. On the Estimate, open by selecting the repair line you wish to compare with the available Alternate Parts.
  4. Next to the Cancel and Done buttons, select the Compare Alternate Parts button.

    The Compare Alternate Parts window opens and retrieves parts from the third party provider. Once retrieved, the window populates with the available parts for selection.

  5. Select the desired part profile from the window and click Done.

  7. The part is swapped for the new selection on the estimate.

As an insurance company, follow the steps below to require appraisers to search for alternate parts when completing an estimate.

  1. Open a new or existing estimate.
  2. Click the Estimate Profile icon.
  3. In the estimate profile, click the Parts tab.
  4. Click Edit and make sure that an Alternate Parts Profile is selected.
  5. In the Alternate Parts Search Rules section, select Parts Compare Required for Parts Over. next to Required Part Comparison.
  6. Enter the minimum dollar amount required to enforce a required part comparison. If the value is set to zero, a required part comparison will be enforced for all parts.
  7. Click Apply Changes.

  8. To verify the change, navigate to the estimate and add a part that is over the minimum required amount for required part comparison.
  9. Click Compare Parts to search for alternate parts.
  10. Click Done. If you selected more than one part, the window automatically compares the next part.
  11. When you are finished viewing the alternate parts, click Add Lines to add those parts to the estimate.

Note: You can compare any individual part by clicking Compare. If you compare a part using the in-line Compare button, that part will not have to be compared again.

You can associate multiple alternate parts profiles to the estimate profile. You can select one Alternate Parts Profile to be used for vehicles with a set age and odometer reading and another Alternate Parts Profile for all other vehicles.

  1. Log in to Mitchell Connect as an appraiser.
  2. On the navigation pane in Mitchell Connect, click Settings.
  3. Click Estimate Profiles on the Estimating card.
  4. Open an existing estimate profile or click + Estimate Profile to create a new one.
  5. Click Edit .
  6. Click the Parts tab.
  7. In the Alternate Parts Profiles section, select an Alternate Parts Profile to use.
  8. Type a vehicle age and odometer reading in the appropriate fields.
  9. In the For all other Scenarios Use This Profile section, select an Alternate Parts Profile to use for vehicles that do not meet the parameters set.
  10. Click Save when you are finished making changes.
  11. Open an estimate using the Estimate Profile you just configured.
  12. Start adding a part of the estimate. Before adding the line to the estimate, click Compare on the repair line to open the Compare Alternate Parts window. This will start the alternate parts comparison. The results are based on the Alternate Parts Profile settings.

Note: You can also configure the primary and secondary Alternate Parts Profiles in WorkCenter when creating and assigning estimate profiles to users.

Determine how the vehicle age is calculated for alternative parts using current date or date of loss. This feature enables greater accuracy for alternate part eligibility and compliance.

  1. On the navigation pane in Mitchell Connect, click Settings.
  2. Click Estimate Profiles. on the Estimating card
  3. Select an Estimate Profile or click + Estimate Profile to create a new one.
  4. Click the Parts tab and then click Edit (if you are using an existing profile).
  5. Next to Vehicle Age Calculator, select an option for the End Date:
  • Current Date: Calculates vehicle date based on the current date.
  • Date of Loss When Available: Calculates vehicle date based on the Date of Loss entered in the Insurance Information section of a Job.

    Note: If Date of Loss When Available is selected, make sure that a Date of Loss is entered in the Insurance card in Mitchell Connect. If this information is missing, the Current Date will be used for the calculation.

You can compare the cost to repair a part or replace a part. Use an alternate parts profile to view the most cost-effective part chioce.

Note: The alternative parts profile must be configured with the Auto-Substitute Off option selected to use this feature. The compare feature is also available for recycled parts if the Auto-Substitute ON, Excluding Recycled Parts option is selected. The Operation for the repair line must also be set to Remove and Replace.

  1. From the estimate editor, click Split View in the navigation pane.
  2. Select the part repair line with the Remove and Replace (R&R) operation.
  3. Click Compare. The Compare Alternate Parts window appears with the available parts profiles to choose from.

  4. Filter the list in the Filter options on the left (if available).

  5. Select the part in the list and click Done.
  6. Click Done on the repair line when complete.
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