May 30, 2025
Find out how Penta modernized their workshops and boosted profits with digital solutions
Key takeaways:
- Notable boost in up-selling driven by image-based recommendations
- 62 jobs completed in a single day (up from 50)
- Notable boost in up-selling driven by image-based recommendations
An Established Automotive Group Ready for Change
Penta Motor Group operates multiple branches across three South African provinces, focusing on high-quality vehicle servicing and aftersales. They have used the Pinewood.AI system for more than 10 years, and most recently needed a more efficient approach to workshop management.
The Challenge: Eliminating ‘Dead Time’ and Tackling Workshop Inefficiencies
When Penta’s existing time management module was discontinued, they saw it as an opportunity. They could now implement a solution that avoided time drains and made their workshops more efficient. Specifically, they could remove manual, slow job allocations and service technician clock-ins. These previously relied on a shared computer and manual processes, which introduced bottlenecks, delays and distractions. Beyond efficiency gains, Penta recognized the chance to improve customer communications and create new upselling opportunities.
The Solution: Mobile Clock-Ins: Putting Tech in Technicians’ Hands
Penta technicians now clock in and out directly from their mobile devices, eliminating unnecessary moving about the workshop and idle time. To enable this transformation, we introduced the Pinewood.AI Tech+ App to streamline job tracking and overall workshop efficiency. The app enhances job scheduling, facilitates technician workloads, and enables a structured up selling process by integrating image-based job recommendations.
Key features of Service Intelligence’s Tech+
Smart job management (Clocking & Planner Integration)
Technicians can clock onto jobs, track time, and see progress in real time – boosting productivity and keeping workshop operations efficient.
Enhanced Vehicle Health Check (VHC) with Video & Digital Approval
Issues can be flagged as urgent/recommended/OK, supported by branded video evidence. Customers confirm digitally, increasing trust and driving additional revenue.
Integrated Parts & Information Access
Technicians can view service history, upload technical docs, communicate with parts, and even issue parts by scanning bar codes – cutting downtime and streamlining workflow.
The Results: Record-Breaking Productivity with Service Intelligence’s Tech+
Time Gains:
Collectively, across 12 team members (technicians and apprentices), Penta saves 4 hours per day. This is 84 hours every month. The time savings are thanks to reduced movement between workstations and improved digital processes.
Productivity Boost:
In December 2024, with only three technicians and their three apprentices on duty, they completed 62 jobs in a day, surpassing their previous maximum of 50 with a full team.
Business Impact:
The introduction of image-based recommendations for additional work significantly improves Penta’s ability to upsell repairs and maintenance.
Enhanced Workshop Productivity:
The new system allows better planning and real-time tracking, leading to a more streamlined workflow with technicians focusing solely on their tasks.
Customer Service:
Customers can receive real-time updates and visual proof of additional work needed, improving customer service, trust and approval rates.
Working Together: From Main Branch to Group Success
We began working with Penta’s main branch before expanding to other locations. Alan McLean, after-sales service specialist at Penta, led the adoption process and secured buy-in from both management and technicians. Implementation followed a staged approach, focusing first on clocking efficiency before expanding to additional features such as upselling as team members became more comfortable using the app.
In Their Words: How Service Intelligence’s Tech+ Transformed Penta’s Operations
“Pinewood.AI Tech+ has completely transformed how our workshop operates. Saving time is the biggest value add in the motor industry – and with Pinewood.AI Tech+, we’re no longer chasing the clock on services. It’s eliminated dead time and distractions like waiting for a shared computer or chasing updates, allowing our technicians to stay focused and productive. That shift has not only boosted profitability but also improved the customer experience. The collaborative approach ensured we implemented it right, and we’re now seeing the full value of our Pinewood.AI investment come to life.”
“Leaders and owners who believe in the value of the tech are critical. They don’t need to know how it works, but they must believe in the benefits. And by successfully integrating Pinewood.AI Tech+, we’ve modernised our workshop processes, increased our daily job capacity, and ensured a more productive and profitable operation.”
“We're all about changing how service works in the automotive world by building real partnerships with dealerships. By really understanding what their business needed, working closely with their team, and leveraging Pinewood.AI's technology, we've helped Penta modernise their workshop operations, saving them valuable time while boosting their profits.”
Ready to eliminate dead time in your workshop?
Contact Pinewood.AI South Africa today to discover how Service Intelligence’s Tech+ can transform your operations.
