MOT stations in the UK are facing a major headache this year when the switch to MOT ‘Modernisation’ takes place.
As part of the plans for an upgraded system, the government (DVSA) will require garages to buy and support their own IT and printing infrastructure for the MOT service. A full list of the exisiting equipment that garages will be able to keep – which includes your printer, mouse, keyboard, monitor and cables – can be found by clicking through to the ‘Move to the new MOT testing service’ page on GOV.UK.
For the last 15 years DVSA has supplied and supported the MOT processing and printing equipment to all MOT stations in the UK, with garages paying for this service through a small charge that is levied on each MOT they successfully process through the system.
Cloud cover
In 2015 this all changes, as DVSA has served notice for some of its legacy MOT processing and printing equipment to be replaced. In its place will be a cloud-based application, accessed through a browser. The new system requires the garages to buy and support their own IT devices to access the application, process the MOT and print off the relevant documentation.
For some, this will not be a problem, but for many, the thought of having to buy, install and support their own MOT processing and printing equipment is terrifying.
As well as eating into their initial cash flow, the biggest worry is the complexity and reliability, as most garage owners want to spend their time keeping their customers happy, not messing around with fixing IT and printing related issues. If they cannot process an MOT, it could have a major impact on their business, as they may lose the customer and any potential failure repair work.
After discussing this issue with a number of garage owners in Lancashire, Darren Turner, Owner and MD of Cartridge World Office Supplies & Printing Solutions, based in East Lancashire, decided to do something about it.
As a result he developed an MOT processing and printing solution that provides the garage with all the equipment they need, together with a guaranteed four hour fix time.
Darren says: “After listening to the problems garages face, we have come up with a solution that solves all of the main issues, such as cash flow, complexity and reliability. The garage can choose what they require from three packages, each of which is paid for in a low fixed monthly fee. This includes the IT equipment, unlimited printing, installation, training and a guaranteed four hour fix support contract.
Simple and affordable
“Our aim was to keep it simple, affordable and to take all the hassle away from the garages, so they can concentrate on what they’re good at. To make things easier we’ve built a simple information and ordering website for the service, which can be found at www.motprintingsolutions.com.”
Nick Wright, MD of West Riding Hyundai, Colne, said “We’ve used Darren and his team for many years for all our printing solutions and office supplies. This new service is brilliant and will be very valuable to many MOT operators.”
With three stores in the UK, the team can offer assistance on all print-related matters.
