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The high cost of manual tire data capture
In the competitive automotive service industry, the reliance on outdated manual methods for capturing tire tread data is a significant operational friction. Handwriting information or manually keying it into a computer is not just slow; it's a process plagued by human error. These inaccuracies can lead to incorrect service assessments, compromise driver safety, and damage a service centre's reputation.
The consequences of these inefficient workflows extend to the bottom line. Slow service times lead to frustrated customers and lost revenue, while the labour costs associated with manual data entry and correction continue to rise. Ultimately, these operational bottlenecks prevent service centres from maximising their efficiency and profitability.
The all-in-one Zebra Tread Intel™ solution
Zebra's integrated Tread Intel solution combines rugged mobile computers and intelligent software to automate manual, error-prone tasks. For tire service centres, this accelerates diagnostics, reduces wait times, and improves service quality. It also streamlines warranty claims by securely documenting precise tread depth, tire identification numbers (TINs), vehicle identification numbers (VINs), and license plates in a consistent digital record, ensuring necessary details about the tire and vehicle are documented precisely.
Potential benefits
By replacing manual, error-prone processes with a digitally integrated solution, automotive service centres can turn operational challenges into tangible, quantifiable outcomes.
Capture tire measurements in under five seconds
accurate to within 1/32 of an inch (0.79 mm)
Improved customer experience
and loyalty through reduced wait times and data-driven recommendations
Lower labour costs
by eliminating time-consuming manual data entry
Enhanced safety
and compliance with precise, digitally recorded tire data
How the solution works
Accelerate tire tread analysis
With a Zebra TC501 or TC701 mobile computer and the Tread Intel snap-on accessory, technicians can measure tire tread depth in under five seconds per tire with an accuracy of 1/32" (0.79 mm). Combining advanced imaging and proprietary algorithms, this digital solution replaces slow, error-prone manual gauges with a fast, precise workflow. For tire service centres, this boosts technician productivity, enhances safety by preventing inspection errors, and builds customer trust through transparent, evidence-based replacement recommendations.
Digitise vehicle and customer information in seconds
With licensed OCR Wedge, service technicians instantly capture critical data. They can capture VINs through a windshield or directly from a document. They can also easily capture low-contrast, curved TINs directly from tire sidewalls. Also, the software scans license plates for vehicle identification and digitises driver's licenses and IDs to accelerate the customer's intake process. Tire Identification Numbers (TIN), Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), license plates, and other essential OCR capabilities using the rear camera can be tested using the preloaded DWDemo or Zebra Showcase App.
The value of Tread Intel
Zebra’s Tread Intel solution improves vehicle intake and inspection workflows by automating tire tread measurement and data capture. This delivers faster, more accurate, and digitally connected operations through barcode scanning, photo capture for vehicle and tire condition, odometer capture, and optional OCR-based document capture.
Note:
Use case figures, savings estimates and images are illustrative only and may be derived from customer data, projections, or controlled testing. They do not represent guaranteed results, and actual outcomes will vary by application; customers should consult a Zebra sales representative to evaluate their specific environment.
