Exploring the potential of ZF [pro]Diagnostics

After unveiling ZF [pro]Diagnostics, a digital platform designed to provide workshops with access to protected diagnostics, in the last issue, Sebastien Thiriez – ZF Aftermarket’s sales leader workshop digitalisation – steps up to answer questions about how the launch has the potential to impact business opportunities and the factor workshop relationship, as well as insights about subscription models.

ZF [pro]Diagnostics provides secure gateway access that allows technicians to view and utilise a wide range of secure OEM data and specialist diagnostic and repair functions.

ZF [pro]Diagnostics is powered by two diagnostic solutions that deliver detailed diagnostic functions and data: ZF MultiScan provides reliable troubleshooting solutions that cover key vehicle systems across a variety of models, while ZF Scan provides diagnostics for ZF group systems and components.

Q. What opportunities does ZF [pro]Diagnostics create for motor factors to support their garage customers more effectively?

A. ZF [pro]Diagnostics is a futureready solution that offers garages fast, complete and reliable advanced diagnostics.

Motor factors can offer garages access to OEM-level diagnostic capabilities previously only available at main dealers, helping independent workshops compete more effectively with franchised dealers for complex diagnostic work.

By providing comprehensive diagnostic solutions alongside traditional parts supply, motor factors can become more integral to their customers’ operations, creating deeper business relationships and reducing customer churn to competitors.

With ADAS calibration capabilities and support for EVs available, motor factors can help their customers stay current with evolving automotive technology, particularly as EVs and ADAS become more prevalent.

Q. How can factors position themselves to benefit from the launch?

A. Garages are faced with increasing technical complexity; the most basic maintenance and repair operations require modern diagnostic capabilities nowadays. Motor factors can position themselves as service-oriented technology enablers to sustain independent garage competitiveness and autonomy, making them the bridge between traditional parts supply and cutting-edge diagnostic technology.

In addition, we offer the possibility to interconnect our diagnostic solutions with existing digital services from distributors, such as DMS, parts catalogues and technical data to bring a common seamless experience to our end-users.

Q. How do the flexible subscription models work from a distributor’s perspective — can factors package these for their customers?

A. The solution is specifically designed to be sold through selected distributors rather than direct sales, giving motor factors the opportunity to add their own service layer while maintaining customer relationships.

The monthly subscription model that combines hardware, software and services – starting at £99 per month – is always offered via our partner distributors. This is not only taking away the pain point of heavy initial investment, but it also allows services to be added that can be proposed easily as a “pay-per-use” mode. Factors can also, if they prefer, buy and resell our tools.