Linking Diagnostics with Service Information

Diagnostic tools and service information are often viewed and developed as separate tools for the automotive technician to use while repairing a vehicle. However, the service technician often uses both of them interactively when diagnosing and repairing a problem on a vehicle.

Expert-system technology and electronic information retrieval technology are available to create tools that will help technicians improve their efficiency. However, the ultimate advantage of these technologies is not realized until the two applications are linked together so that they can be used interactively. Selecting the appropriate technologies and linking them together as an integrated system is critical to the ultimate effectiveness, acceptance, and success of the system.