A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a unique code given to each vehicle in the United States. This includes automobiles, trucks, and trailers. Many companies use the EBMS Serialized Item module to record VIN number as a serial number. VINs can be recorded to identify vehicles that are purchased and sold, used vehicles, or to identify the customer’s existing vehicle for service only. Work orders, sales invoices, and other history documents are associated with the customer’s vehicles creating a valuable reference for both the customer and the service technician.
The serialized item database which is used to track the serial number of equipment can also be used to track a customer’s vehicle information. This tool allows the user to track the work orders or invoices associated with a specific vehicle or equipment giving the user a history of the customer’s equipment. This option is used by many auto parts and accessories stores, vehicle service centers, truck up fitters, trailer sales and service companies, and other vehicle or large equipment sales and service companies.
Scenario: An auto accessories dealer identifies the vehicle on the work order and sales invoice when billing aftermarket parts for customer fleets, trucks, and other vehicles. The vehicle specs can identify the year, make, model, and other details of the dealer’s vehicles, company fleet vehicles, or the customer’s vehicle(s). These details are needed for the sales staff to quickly identify the correct accessory for a customer’s specific vehicle. These VIN details are displayed on the work order allowing the technician to quickly identify the vehicle.
A generic inventory item needs to be created to identify the associated serialized item records as a vehicle VIN numbers. These serialized items/Vehicle VINs are used as service-only VINs unless vehicles with VINs are sold. Complete the following steps to create an inventory item that is used only to identify the serialized item as a vehicle.
Create a generic inventory item classified as a Non-Inventory
Serialized Item as shown below. Note that most settings within
the inventory item can be ignored. Review the Non-Inventory
Serialized Item section for more details on creating this generic
item.
Click on the Serial No Specs Defaults tab to enter the vehicle specs
to download from NHTSA. Add the following spec Description
that will be decoded from the VIN number. Enter the Year, Make, Model, and Engine
specs as shown below since this standard information is needed
for any vehicle.
Add any additional vehicle specs to this tab such as Wheel Size, cab type, trailer type connection, number of wheels and many other options. Review the NHTSA Raw Data section of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Decoding for more detailed instructions.
Keep the Serial No. Specs column blank unless any of these settings are common for all VIN numbers with this inventory item.
Record this generic non-inventory item within
inventory options. Click Inventory > Options and click
on the Serial No Specs tab as shown below:
Enter the generic inventory item that was created in step #1. This entry is required to automate the VIN number entry within the sales order.
EBMS also contains the ability to decode the VIN number to list the vehicle's year, make, model, and copy the vehicle specifications from NHTSA | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Review the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Decoding section for more details.
An alternative stock number may be needed to identify a vehicle. Review the Alternative Serial Number section at the end of Serialized Item Overview for details.
The Serialized Item tab of a customer can be used to list the vehicle(s) or equipment owned by each customer. This information is helpful when identifying a piece of equipment by customer for a work order or invoice. Vehicles can be added from the serialized item tab of the customer but the VIN decoder is not launched from this tab. Complete the following steps to add a customer's equipment or vehicle information as well as the VIN decoding:
Open the sales order dialog by selecting
from the main EBMS menu.Populate the Customer ID to identify the owner of the vehicles.
Click on the Serial No tab of the sales order
as shown below:
Enter the vehicle’s VIN number into the Serial Number entry. Entering a VIN number into the Serial No entry will active the VIN Decoder utility.
Enter the optional Miles/Hrs value of the vehicle at the time of service.
Note that the vehicle's Serial No Specs will be populated on the sales order.
Repeat for any additional vehicle for this customer. Note that vehicle information can also be added as service or parts are purchased. Review Viewing or Adding Service Only Items to a Customer for more details on adding serialized items to a customer record.
Repeat the steps list above for additional customers.
Review the Attaching a Vehicle to a Sales Invoice or Work Order section for details on attaching a vehicle to EBMS documents.