One step away from an iPad?

So last time blogged, I had just completed my first cascade training session to my mates, and after a bit of Micky taking, it all went quite easy.

We'll as promised, here's how the other sessions went...

The second session was a lot less nerve racking, as I knew exactly what to do, and had a better idea how long to spend on each bit. Another big difference was by the time I did this session, a lot more of my work mates had seen ODIS being used by others and were genuinely interested. So I gave out the QRGs, showed them the Play & Prove zone, and bagged myself two more signatures on the learner log.

The third and fourth session was a breeze, which was mainly down to the Play and Prove zone. Because there were now 5 of us using it at lunch times and discussing our scores, the rest of my work mates were all keen to have look at what they were missing out on, and have a go at bagging themselves an iPad! (the good news is one of them just had a crack at the test too quickly, and failed the first attempt and scraped through on his second - he's blown his chances of and iPad!)

Anyway, by time I trained them they had already sussed out a lot of ODIS, but were still over the moon with their QRGs that I gave them and the YouTube channel videos.

But more importantly - that was me DONE! And after passing the learner log on to my dealer principle - SENT!!!

I have now finally taken level 1 myself too, and got nearly top marks, proving that practice really does make perfect. So with just level two to complete (and it looks easier than level 1), I am now definately (possibly) one step away from a nice shiney iPad2!!!

You beauty - bring on the next training course!!! ;-)

1st cascade session - DONE!

So, I work with these guys every day, right? How hard can this mini training session be?

As I mentioned in the last blog, our cascade sessions have now been ok'd and booked in by the Dealer Principle and Service Manager, and the scary 'training session number 1' was booked for this Wednesday afternoon - AGHHHHHHHH!!!

I spent probably about 20 mins getting ready:
Bring car in - check
Battery charger and wing covers on - check
ODIS connected - check
Faff about trying my best to waste time and put off the training - check ;-)

So after I couldn't put it off any more, I went for it...

And you know what? It wasn't that bad!

After everyone had laughed at me and generally took the Micky, I got into showing them how to open it up and getting them to navigate around the menus, and suddenly they were glued to the screen - rather than grinning at me!
We continued on to have a play at GFF, and by the time I'd pointed out where to find Guided Functions, it was clear I was no longer needed!

And I really think this was the point that hit it home to me how much ODIS is better, because I had stopped trying to 'convince' people about the benefits of it, and was stood there quite proud of it - what's that all about! - I didn't create it!!!

By the time they were having a look around Self-diagnosis, they were sold, and my job was nearly done, and any nerves were totally in the past.

The only thing left was to get them to sign the 'learning log', which turned out to be quite a nice surprise to end on. Because it reminded me of 2 things I had forgot...
1. To give them their quick reference guides (again, found myself showing off how they worked!)
2. To show them the 'Play & Prove' zone (which they love!)

Clearly, all I have to do now is actually pull my finger out and complete the Prove zone myself, as I've just noticed that someone has already passed level 2!

Anyway, all in all, it's been quite a painless event... The guys appreciated it, and the Dealer Principle seems well impressed!

I'll let you know how the next one goes!!!

Cheers

The cascade pack... me, a trainer???

OK, so since the last blog, I've been scared silly by all the huge scores appearing on the Play & Prove zone, so much that I still haven't actually attempted the test yet (yes, I'm STILL practicing!)

But now it's time for the real scary bit... the dreaded cascade pack!

So, rewind back to the end of the official training, I was supplied with a 'cascade pack' with an explanation of how to use the documents that it contained, which would hopefully support me in training my work mates :-0

The pack consisted of:
A 'to-do' list (explaining what to do),
Some quick refence guides (one for each technician),
A learning log (for recording who I'd trained),
A pre-paid addressed envelope (for sending the log back),
A session plan (recommending what to train them, and how long it takes)

Now I've got to be honest, as a Master Tech, I've been to a number of API's etc where I been 'tasked' with passing on the information I was given, but this never seemed to be that important, and consequently was all a bit informal. But this is clearly a completely different thing, as it's obviously really important that all the techs can use ODIS properly, and this is why I am feeling very very very nervous (and a bit stressed!) about the whole cascade process.

Now to be fair, I can also honestly say that I can't ever remember being so well supported in terms of the help I have been given to carry this out, but this still doesn't change my nerves! Anyway, I've been through the 'to-do' list with my service manager and dealer principle, and after much discussion, they agreed how important this process is, and have consequently booked the 5 short training sessions that I need to train our 10 techs. This means I now have exactly 2 days to get ready for the first session... me, a trainer... we'll see!!!

Watch this space...

Extra competition!

OK, so I've been openly honest and blogged about the 'fun and games' I've had with getting my head around ODIS over the past 2 or 3 months, and for those of you that haven't been reading - I think I've recently turned a corner cause I no longer see it as the 'fear of the unknown' (just like when ElsaPro first turned up), but see it more like an opportunity to use the new faster software and new features.

So I should now be glad that I've got a 3 month head-start of the UK Technicians who have just started attending the technical ODIS launch training, shouldn't I???

Well, I sort of was feeling quite confident, and with the announcement of the 'Play & Prove zone' being released last week, I was starting to get quite excited about the prospect of winning an iPad2!

That was of course, until I saw some of the HUGE scores that have started appearing on the leader board!
Not only was I impressed with the shear size of their scores, but the fact that they managed to score them WITHIN HOURS of the thing being released was amazing!!! I clearly have got some serious competition out there, so much for a head start :-(

The bar's been clearly set pretty high, but with 25 iPads up for grabs, I've not given up yet. So, I'm spending the next few evenings perfecting Level 1 in the 'Play zone', so I'm more than ready to achieve my own whopping score (cause you can only set a score once - then it's locked). Good job you've got unlimited practice! I've also noticed a lot of the videos on the YouTube channel are the same as those in level 1, so they're helping too.

Anyway, better get on with it, as I've heard level 2 is also being released in a few days.

Cheers!

Play and Prove zone

News flash - the ODIS Play & Prove zone has been launched,

and there's already an Apprentice completed it with a monster score!

Access it via LEMA at: http://www.vwgtraining.co.uk/

Search for 'ODIS'

Click on 'Access to material'

More iPad information

I've now got more information of how I'm gonna bag myself one one these beauties!

To have a chance of winning the iPads you have to use an online ODIS game called the Play & Prove Zone

When launched (tomorrow - 3rd  Nov 2011), you will access it via LEMA. It's free to access, so any technician can use it so long as they've got a LEMA login. Just search for the word 'ODIS' and you'll see the Play & Prove zone in your results.














I can now also confirm it works like this...

Play zone
This is basically an online version of ODIS, where you can practice carrying out various tasks, like resetting service lights etc. You get advice if you don't know how to do any of the tasks. You can use this area as much as you like.
Make sure you have speakers or headphones on though, as there is speaking that really helps.

Prove zone
This is also an online version of ODIS, where you get tested by completing 10 random tasks form the Play zone. There is obviously no help in the Prove zone.

When you finish the test, your score goes on the leader board (hopefully somewhere near the top), and you 'unlock' the next level of the game.

There are 25 iPads available! YES - 25!!!

They are available as follows:

There are 3 iPads up for grabs for the

• 3 highest scoring Audi Technicians
• 3 highest scoring Skoda Technicians
• 3 highest scoring SEAT Technicians
• 3 highest scoring VW passenger cars Technicians, and the
• 3 highest scoring VW Commercial Vehicles Technicians

There is also an iPad awarded to the:

• Highest scoring Audi Apprentice Technician
• Highest scoring Skoda Apprentice Technician
• Highest scoring SEAT Apprentice Technician
• Highest scoring VW passenger cars Apprentice Technician, and the
• Highest scoring VW Commercial Vehicles Apprentice Technician

We're not done yet! There is also an iPad awarded to the:

• Highest scoring Audi ODIS Champion
• Highest scoring Skoda ODIS Champion
• Highest scoring SEAT ODIS Champion
• Highest scoring VW passenger cars ODIS Champion, and the
• Highest scoring VW Commercial Vehicles ODIS Champion

Here's the really important part...
To be eligible to win, you also have to:

• Have your own Dealer Portal Login, and
• Have used ODIS at work (and have sent a diagnostic log online with your login)

However, both of these are standard practice anyway, so shouldn't cause you any bother.

The competition is open to all Technicians and Apprentice Technicians in Great Britain that work for Skoda, SEAT, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Audi service departments.

An official communication will be published on Desktop and SEAT Central shortly, including all the terms and conditions.

Hope this wets your ODIS taste buds!!!

Who needs ElsaPro!

Just thought I'd share my latest ODIS experience, as it's good news...

Just carried out a service and needed to reset the service indicator (a job that I probably would have rather used VAS PC for a few weeks back). Anyway, as I'm now getting used to reaching for ODIS, I did for this job, only this time I kept one eye on the time it took me - and I'm very happy with the results... 2 minutes!

The car also had a headlight fault, which I needed to double check to see if there were any relevant TPIs covering this... No need for ElsaPro yet - another job for ODIS. Time taken... just over 1 minute (and no need to start logging on to other PCs!!!)

I then need to check the remove / refit instructions... still no need to leave ODIS yet! Found via the search function in less than 30 seconds!

 Finally, I had to carryout basic setting on the headlight system, and then send a diagnostic log in - all of the above was carried in approx. 5 minutes.

This really takes me back to when ElsaPro was launched - it was yet another new system that I really could have done without having to learn. It fills you with dread and frustration of the unknown, and you kinda find yourself wanting to pick fault with it. And yes, I initially thought that ODIS seemed a bit slow to start-up. But I've gotta be honest, I can't imagine having to go back to ElsaWin, and I definitely don't want to lose these fantastic new features of ODIS.

Best of all - the ODIS training has started now so I'll have lots more mates getting involved too!

I'm liking the look of this!!!

Just seen this advert for an ODIS competition!

I've been told that to enter / have a chance of winning the iPads - you have to use an online ODIS game called the Play & Prove Zone

I think it's going to be accessed via LEMA.

As soon as I know - I'll stick it on the Blog (shortly after I've had a crack at it!)

Then hopefully, I'll get a knock at the door and a postman will bring me a lovely looking parcel with an apple on it ;-)

Lost test plans - more help from ODIS

So, I am now fully up to speed with finding and completing event driven (fault code to you & I) test plans, and I've now also sussed out using the DISS coding system to get relevant test plans offered to me. So I'm feeling pretty confident, compared with a few months ago when I really didn't want to use ODIS by choice.

So along along comes a job to give my confidence a knock...

I have in an A4 that has had a number of repairs carried out, and now needs the steering angle sensor calibrating with basic settings. Anyway, my mate is having a nightmare and so asks me to do it for him. Not a problem (I thought), and better still, another easy task to flex my ODIS muscles at!

Now carrying out basic settings on G85 is something I've already done on a Tiguan and an A1 using ODIS, so I was thinking this was going to be pretty straight forward, and hopefully another example to prove to my work mates that they should be using ODIS as much as me by now. So, with a couple of them watching my "look how easy & quick this is" demo, I set to work...

Cue 'sods law', to come and bite me on the ass!

I start a diagnostic session (quicker than you can with VAS PC) - tick
I navigate straight to the block diagram view (quicker than you can with VAS PC) -tick
I navigate straight to the guided functions menu for a control unit (quicker than you can with VAS PC) - tick
But can I find which control unit has the G85 basic settings?

So I'm now under a barrage of p1$$ taking, and am open to suggestion as to where this might be? (sound familiar?)

By this time (luckily), we're all of the opinion that this is not an ODIS issue, but more a lack of product knowledge, but that still doesn't help. But seeing as it's a Technician's responsibility to take the p1$$ at every opportunity, I'm still copping it sweet, specially as I'm the 'ODIS Champion' (cause I've been on the course). But this is a fair point, so I figured I'd better check I was'nt actually missing something that was covered on the course. So, in times of need, reach for the training book.

Now it was a good job I did!
As I've previously covered, the online help button is great for giving you help regards a page you are currently on, but as for pages you can't find - not so much.

But the training workbook reminded me of all the features I used on the course, one of which was the 'search' function.

Now this is the old version of 'function/component' selection that lets you select your own test plan, but with the fantastic benefit of a search function.

So, from the test plan tab I clicked on the 'select own test' button, and then the magnifying glass, which opened a search pop-up menu. I typed in 'G85', and there you have it! Two test plans available for G85. One to diagnose it and the other to calibrate it. I clicked on the calibrate option and had the test plan added to the normal test plan list. Two minutes later and we were disconnecting the equipment - all done!

So this is the classic case of being shown something great on a training course, but suffering from the normal problem of not using these features as soon as you get back to the real working life. Since this, I have found this feature soooo useful, and have found that I tend to keep my workbook from the training course in the top of my toolbox (rather than 'filed' away).

There is now also a great 2 min video demonstarting how to use this feature on the Using.ODIS YouTube channel and Facebook page.

So, I hope you find me going through this embarrassment useful, and hopefully, the fact that I sent 20 minutes looking for a test plan, might mean you never have too ;-)

Cheers!

Measured Value Search Function? Genius!

Just came across another ODIS feature that's making life easier for me, so thought I'd share it...

I've just had a Q5 in with a customer concern regarding the engine power.
After launching GFF a large number of event memories were stored in the vehicle, a lot of which that were OB5 gearbox related.

Anyway, having looked at the customer statement in the DISS report, (which you now do in ODIS ;-) ), it turns out the vehicle is 'surging', rather than losing engine power, which I have experienced before.

With this in I decided to check the measured values of the DSG, as this is a typical symptom of the over-heat / protection mode, and there is usually a measured value that displays how many times the gearbox has over-heated.

This seemed like a good idea until I opened the list of values in self diagnosis...
The downside is, the control unit was a UDS version, meaning all the typical measured values that I'm used to (value 64 for example) have changed!
Anyway, after spending what seemed like an eternity of scrolling, I noticed a text box at the bottom of the screen called 'Filter'.
I had no idea what this was, but decided to push my luck and type into the text box, and sure enough - it turns out that this is a search function within measured values... you beauty!
I typed in 'temperature', and there it was! Shame I hadn't noticed this 5 minutes ago :-(

Back to the problem - sure enough, the measured value had logged that the gearbox had reached the maximum temperature value quite a few times - now to find out why...

Seeing as I had a new search toy to play with, I typed in the next logical (or maybe suspicious) value title... 'launch control'.
And what do you know - the fact that this vehicle has used launch control 64 times may have something to do with it!!! ;-)

Search functions in measured values... pure genius!!!

DISS coding

So, in my previous Blog, I mentioned how I've now started using the new version of the customer complaint test plans, which helped me fix a tricky air-con problem first time. Well, this is how it works...

When you start GFF with ODIS, it takes you to straight to a 'DISS' page.
This displays any DISS reports created by the Service Adviser when they listened to the Customer's complaint. It also shows you any relevant TPIs that relate to the complaint!

In this instance there was no DISS report created, but this page can still be really handy, and this is why; after speaking to the Service Adviser, and then contacting the customer again :-/ we got their statement of what was not happening. Then I could code the complaint in on the DISS page of ODIS (just like you would on a DISS report in ElsaPro). The great thing about this is that as you have coded the complaint, it then offers you relevant TPIs (just like ElsaPro would). No going to a separate PC, all the TPIs were there listed in ODIS!

Anyway, I can honestly say in experience this doesn't normally get done properly, as it can all prove too hard. Not now.

Back to the problem - it turns out that there is a relevant TPI, so I now used a new feature to 'extend the test plan', which basically means turning the TPI into a test plan (or selecting a test plan relevant to the TPI). Either way, I had gone from working on a car with no fault codes - to now following a test plan based on the Customer's concern.

 

The test plan checked out the performance of the air-con, and helped me locate the problem of a blocked condenser, that I don't honestly think I would have found as quickly on my own.

The best thing to come out of all this, is that my Service Manager and Adviser have both agreed that we should be doing this DISS creation every time, the worst thing is that we ruined such a good result by having to ring the customer back which made us look a bit unprofessional :-(

Test plans

Been using the new software for Odis for a few days now, and have seen quite a few improvements, mainly in the Test plan area.

Previously there have been 3 ways of choosing test plans:
1. Via fault codes
2. By selecting your own
3. By selecting via a customer complaint or TPI

In my experience I mainly picked them via fault codes, and if not, then by selecting my own, but as for the 3rd option - there was never really much to choose from, and the TPI list was always incomplete and out of date.

Not now though! Since using ODIS I assumed this would be the same story, and stuck to selecting fault code generated test plans or ones manually selected, but recently I have come across the new version of customer complaint / TPI generated test plans, and it works fantastic!

 More importantly it's just really helped me fix someone's car first time!

I'll find out all the details and explain how it works in the next Blog

Cheers

More benefits

Just tried the latest ODIS software, and am happy to confirm that it works on Skodas and SEATs now too. Am happy to say this - as after using this for a few weeks now, I am absolutely sold on it.

Forgetting all the sales talk, I now have first hand experience of ODIS being A LOT QUICKER and WAY MORE EASIER to use than VAS PC! So the more vehicles this works on - the better.

And to think that not that long ago, I was worried about having to learn it all over again, and (if being completely honest), would have preferred sticking to the old software.

So, it turns out I'm not a dinosaur after all (but it's looking like VAS PC is)!

Back soon...

New software!

Just been on my holidays, and am returning to new software. Apparently I should see quite a few updates, so will test it out thoroughly tomorrow and will post my findings!

Flying now!

Seems like forever since I last blogged, but I've had a good excuse! Lots has happened in the last few weeks, such as me getting some official training on ODIS and getting some really useful resources to help me out.

I 'll share these with you in the next day or two, but until then, you've absolutely got to check out this YouTube channel:

www.YouTube.com/user/odisuser

Full of 'how to' videos, that seem to be updated on a daily basis ;)

With all this help I'm finding using ODIS is going great, and I'm absolutely flying through standard day to day tasks like basic settings and adaptions etc!

I'll be back shortly to share some more goodies!

Lots more features!

Just been working with GFF, and actually went straight to it this
morning! So it is starting to sink in.

Whilst doing this I've just noticed some more features, such as 'hot fix' and 'PV trace'.

No idea what they are, but will hopefully have some answers later!

Sent from my mobile device

More good news!

Another week - another Odis session.

Had a crack a using Guided Functions today, as I had to code in a trailer module.
Once I had remembered where Guided Functions was (I did say I'll forget, and it was a good weekend), I thought this was really straight forward (see below).

So, chuffed with my new skills, I decided to show my colleague how easy and quick this was - only for him to tell me that he thought it seemed slow...

Odis... slower than VAS... there's only one way to find out - FIGHT!

Round 1:

So with me ready on the Odis shortcut, and Harry Hill hovering over the VAS shortcut, we started the stopwatch and fired them both up...

And the results -
VAS: 1 min 45
Odis: 45 secs

Round 2:
Launch GFF and wait for the system test to complete...
And the results -
VAS: 5 min 45
Odis: 3 mins

Now I know that these figures are the results of just one un-scientific test, but as far as I'm concerned GET IN THERE ODIS (I'm well up for saving 3 minutes per test before I've even started!)

I suppose it did seem slow at first, but I think this is just because it's new.

Anyway, with not much else going on, I decided to do some control unit adapting on my own car.
Again very easy, definately quick and easy to use. I've got some more time on it due tomorrow, so will try and capture a few more examples.

With a bit of luck, I'll spend less time trying to remember where stuff is!

Cheers!

P.S. If you're enjoying the blog - please feel free to share it!!!

We are connected!

Productive day on the Odis front - now all the I.T. stuff is sorted I've finally managed to actually use it on a car!

As mentioned on the last blog, I was a bit concerned that it looks tricky to use, but once you know where everything is - it's pretty straight forward to use.

The most welcome news I found out was the main features of the VAS5051 that I'm used to using every day - ARE STILL THERE!!! (phew)

Yep, you heard it hear first folks, MVBs, Guided Functions, Self diagnosis, Basic settings are all still there (you've just gotta know where!)

Today I used Odis to diagnose an air-con fault using GFF, and once I knew where to find it and how to start it, I was really impressed with how quick and useful it was.

The main thing that seems obvious is that I'm just going to have to get plenty of practice in at finding everything, as that seems to be the hardest part.

Couple of days off now but back to a full day on Monday - let's see how much I remember then!

Cheers!

Another day - more answers

Another day with Odis today, and didn't use it much again as was mainly watching it being set up.

Some new points that I've found out are that:

Odis doesn't need to be updated by loading 'base' and 'brand' discs. It seems that the software is updated automatically by uploading it online. This seems like yet another great idea, which is definitely going to save everyone from a lot of messing around. I'm really liking the idea of no longer having to wait around for the next disc coming out to fix a customer's car.

Another point is that there has been changes made to our server in order to get Odis online. I don't really understand this area too well, but it was clear that this upgrade was essential before we could start using Odis.

The final main point I found out was that there is something called 'E-Shop' that is also to do with Odis. It looks like it's just a website where you can buy a licence to get the Odis software registered to your machine, and although I don't think I'll be needing to get involved with this side of things (well I hope not!), I'll post any more info I find about it.

After all this I.T. stuff going off, I did manage to have a bit of a play (although not with a vehicle connected) and was pleased to find there's a very easy to use help option that now provides online help (to user manuals etc).

I've gotta be honest though, other than using the help option, it does look a bit confusing regards how you actually do normal things like checking MVBs etc!

Here's hoping it's easier than it initially looks?

Tomorrow we get a car connected :)

A bit clearer now!

Well, that wasn't so bad. Had my first day with Odis, and although I didn't really get much hands-on, I have got a few answers (as follows)...

So starting with my opener - 'what is Odis?'
Turns out it's just new software for the diagnostic equipment.
So I'm not going to get a shiny new laptop, just a change in how I operate the VAS5051.

My next one answered was 'what does it do?'
A much more interesting answer that I was only too happy to hear:

Essentially the same as before, but with much more online systems integrated to it, such as ElsaPro (AT LAST!!!)
From what I've seen so far, you can get TPIs and current flows whilst in the middle of a test plan - sounds very handy, but will reserve judgement till I've used it!

Final big one answered - 'why do we need it?'
Well, aside from the fact that it should make the job a bit easier / quicker, it is also capable of communicating to vehicles with a new type of control unit, which VWG vehicles are being built with as of next year. So the killer point is, when these arrive in our workshops, we won't be able to talk to them with the current 5051 software. Fair point - better get my head round it quick smart!!!

Another day with it tomorrow, so will hopefully get back with more answers,

Cheers!

Anticipating ODIS

So, as a Master Technician I finally feel like I've 'mastered' using the diagnostic equipment VAS5051B. Just my luck then, that I've just found out I've now got to start using something called ODIS! This is all good and well, but a few simple questions spring immediately to mind, like: 'what is ODIS?', 'what does ODIS do?' and 'why do I need ODIS?'
One question I do have the answer to already is 'when have I got to start using it?' - Answer: Monday!
So, as I'm sat here mixing anticipation with a pinch of panic, I figured I might as well share any experiences or answers I have with any other Master Technicians that work with the current VAS5051B, and are interested in the next development in vehicle diagnosis.
Feel free to share your thoughts or questions, and please pass on the link to this blog to anyone else you think might benefit from it.
Here's hoping Monday goes ok!