CCCG Ccc Information Services Grp. Inc. (MM)

Re-keying estimate information affects more than 28 percent of the 9 million estimates written every year. This resulted in a negative impact on the collision repair industry to the tune of an estimated $17.5 million(1) in 2004. As part of the enhancements in the release of CCC Pathways 4.3, CCC Information Services Inc. has developed an Auto Workfile Entry functionality - the first to broadly address the issue. CCC Information Services Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of CCC Information Services Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CCCG). Instead of transferring data by printing a hard copy of the estimate and re-keying it to another PC or location - creating another step and opening up the potential for re-keying errors, users can now copy and send existing workfiles from one CCC Pathways unit to another either via e-mail, disc/flash drive or a shared network drive. "Adding the Auto Workfile Entry function into CCC Pathways 4.3 gives repairers the ability to maintain a smooth flow of information with other appraisal sources," said Jim Dickens, senior vice president at CCC Information Services. "The addition of this feature is an extension of CCC's work with repairers in developing a logical and efficient set of electronic tools." Another key efficiency realized through CCC Pathways 4.3 is the ability to access fully integrated solutions that focus on virtually every step in the repair process, eliminating the need for toggling back and forth between multiple software solutions. Some of the products include: -- CCC Accumark(TM) Advisor, which enables users to perform a preliminary estimate audit using user- specified guidelines; -- CCC Production Assistant(TM), a shop management solution, which targets the automation of the repair process with features, such as parts ordering, repair status and operational reporting; -- Repair Management Dispatch, which helps dispatch management by increasing capture-rates through features, such as assignment tracking and load leveling. Other new features found in CCC Pathways 4.3 include automatic model-year updating for the recycled parts display, a "Centralized Location" functionality that lets Recycled Parts Services users specify a mileage radius when searching for suppliers, and a maximum file size function. About CCC Now in its 25th year, CCC Information Services Inc., headquartered in Chicago, is a leading supplier of advanced software, communications systems, Internet and wireless-enabled technology solutions to the automotive-claims and collision-repair industries. Its technology-based products and services optimize efficiency throughout the entire claims management supply chain and facilitate communication among approximately 21,000 collision-repair facilities, 350 insurance companies, and a range of industry participants. For more information about CCC Information Services Inc., visit our web site at www.cccis.com or contact Michelle Hellyar of CCC at 312-229-2830 or John Harris of CCC at 312-229-2693. (1) Autobody News, September 2005, "CIC Participants Speak Up for Changes in Estimating Companies Approved Procedures," Janet Chaney