Getting Started with Mitchell1 ProDemand from 1sixty8 media

If you’ve ever purchased a premium tool like a digital multimeter, a thermal imaging camera or a new table saw, you know it takes some time and experimentation to get used to how those devices function. Mitchell1 ProDemand is no different. While the interface has been developed to provide quick access to the information you need, you should learn the best ways to get the most out of the solution. Let’s explore a few tips and tricks to get you rolling with ProDemand so you can start working more efficiently in just a few minutes.

Step 1 – Book a Training Session

Part of the agreement between 1sixty8 media and Mitchell1 includes web-based training for all subscribers. Whether you’ve just signed up or have brought on a new technician, shop manager or salesperson, the Mitchell1 team is happy to provide some guidance to help you get the most out of the product. Contact Mitch Schaffer at 1sixty8 media; he can schedule a training session for you and your team members. It’s best to include technicians and salespeople in the process, as ProDemand is helpful in the install bay and on the sales floor.

Step 2 – Learn the Interface

ProDemand provides a wealth of information around tasks related to repairing and upgrading cars, trucks and SUVs. A key to getting the most accurate information possible is to select the correct vehicle. ProDemand allows you to perform searches based on year, make and model or by VIN, with the latter being the most accurate method.

ProDemand Vehicle Lookup — ProDemand lets you look up data by VIN or the year, make, model and trim level of a client’s vehicle.

At the main menu, you have several options for narrowing your search. If you’re looking for wiring for a backup camera or speaker wire for the radio, you might want to jump directly to the Wiring Diagrams. ProDemand’s access to technical bulletins might be a good starting point if you’re trying to troubleshoot an issue.

ProDemand Main Menu — ProDemand’s main menu provides quick access to recent search topics on your selected vehicle.

ProDemand includes a feature called OneSearch. It’s like a Google search of all the information on a topic. For example, searching for “battery” might be a good start if you’re troubleshooting a battery drain issue.

OneSearch Results Battery — The OneSearch feature provides quick access to details about a specific topic.

Once you’ve searched, you can directly access information like wiring diagrams, removal and reinstallation procedures, and component location information. Searching for speakers, amplifiers, cameras or microphones will provide similar results.

Step 3 – Practice Using Wiring Diagrams

One of the most powerful features of ProDemand is its wiring diagrams. For example, some amplifiers or radios can have dozens of connections. Being able to follow the wires you want makes the process of integrating aftermarket equipment more efficient and reliable.

After you’ve opened a wiring diagram, ProDemand allows you to highlight the wires you want to work with. In this example, we’ve highlighted the front speaker wire outputs from the radio in a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe.

ProDemand Highlighted Wiring — ProDemand allows you to highlight wires to make searching for the information you want quick and easy.

Spend some time exploring how the information is presented.

Step 4 – Learn How to Print Information

If you’re using ProDemand on a shop PC rather than on a tablet that you can take to the vehicle, knowing how to print relevant information will save you time when a client’s car is in the bay. ProDemand gives you printing options to show text and graphics, text only or graphics only. Options under the Print button will let you choose the information you want to include on a printout.

Printing Information from ProDemand — You can decide which elements to view on paper by choosing an option beneath the Print button.

Practice highlighting some wires on a diagram and printing them out.

Remember, when you search for a topic, you might be presented with several subtopics. In this search, we looked up the word speaker. The removal and reinstallation information includes two sections. You can click on the + sign to the left of the title to expand that section.

Topic Information Sections — You may be presented with multiple options when searching. Remember to click on the + to see all available information.

Step 5 – Practice Using ProDemand

Finding information quickly is the key to making your subscription profitable. We suggest starting by looking up information on your vehicle. Go through the Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), then pull up the wiring for the radio that came with your car or truck and highlight a few things you’d want to know if you were troubleshooting a speaker that wasn’t playing. Next, look up the removal and reinstallation instructions for the radio and the factory-installed amplifier. Spend some time perfecting searches for each item individually so you know how to access the specifics you want quickly.

Step 6 – What if a Vehicle Isn’t Listed?

The team at Mitchell1 has access to an extensive array of vehicle information resources from manufacturers. Team members spend hours importing and organizing data to make it easy for you to search. They also recreate wiring diagrams so you can highlight the information you want. When a new vehicle hits the showroom floor, the information team might not be quite ready to share the data they have. That doesn’t mean you’re at a dead end.

You have a full subscription to ProDemand. It’s not limited just because you purchased from 1sixty8 media. You are entitled to support directly from Mitchell1. So if you have a brand-new car in the bay and can’t find wiring information in the ProDemand database, give Mitchell1 a call. They can often get you the information they have in an hour or two.

ProDremand Support Contact Information — The support team at Mitchell1 is ready to help you maximize your ProDemand subscription.

Step 7 – ProDemand Is a Powerful Sales Tool

As a shop owner, ensure that your sales team understands how to access information in ProDemand. For example, if they need to know whether a vehicle has active noise cancellation as part of an audio system quote, ProDemand can help.

Part of the sales process is assuring the client that your team can be trusted to work on their vehicle. Demonstrating that you have factory-approved disassembly and reassembly instructions that include relevant fastener torque specifications will help brand you as an expert in your craft.

Disassembly Procedure — Showing a client that you have the information about the proper steps to work on their vehicle instills confidence.

Mitchell1 ProDemand Will Prevent Headaches While Saving Time

You’ve already recognized that access to the information available from Mitchell1 ProDemand will improve your team’s profitability. ProDemand has proven itself as an invaluable tool to help simplify troubleshooting and reduce the chances of vehicle damage during the upgrade process. Being comfortable with its interface is the key to getting the most from ProDemand. Investing an hour to research the ways to access information will pay dividends when a client is in the waiting room.

If you’re a mobile enhancement retailer and want to learn more about ProDemand, please check out our microsite here. If you have any questions, check out our ProDemand FAQ.