Be Cyber Savvy – 5 steps every car breaker should follow

Be Cyber Savvy – 5 steps every car breaker should follow

Be Cyber Savvy – 5 steps every car breaker should follow

With a growing focus on Cyber-crime and the impacts such crimes can have on any business no matter the size, there has never been a more critical time for car breakers in the UK to take stock of their cyber-crime prevention methods and ensure the processes and preventions are in place to protect their business.

 

According to the UK governments published Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2019 around 32% of business identified breaches or cyber attacks in the last 12 months. With the report going further to illustrate that the average annual cost for businesses impacted by such cyber breaches is £4,180 for each instance with large business in 2019 reporting costs in the region of £22,700.

 

The most common attacks are phising attacks, impersonating an organisation via emails, online viruses, spyware or malware, including ransomware attacks. The sophistation of such attacks continues to grow however for auto recyclers the prevention and guidance is relatively simple. A combination of best practice and IT maintenance can help your business protect itself from around 75% of common cyber attacks.

Image from Cyber Security Breaches Survey – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/813599/Cyber_Security_Breaches_Survey_2019_-_Main_Report.pdf

 

Head of Operations at Hollander International Paul Cunningham stated the following:

 

“With ransomware and malware being a very real threat to data and business continuity in recent years and having increased by 118% alone in Q1 2019, Hollander take the view that prevention and server security is key to keeping our yards running without fear of a malicious attack targeting critical data and paralysing core systems.” 

 

So what steps can you take as an active car breaker using software solutions such as Pinnacle Professional: 

 

1 – Use a firewall to secure your internet connection 

 

Pinnacle professional users are protected with Firewalls and sophisticated server setups at point of installation, ensuring port access and IP addresses are configured to control access to your Pinnacle servers.

However, think about additional devices and services on your IT network are they all locked down? Can they be better secured?

 

2 – Use the security settings available 

 

Most devices and systems you buy today are designed to be open and enable functionality and communication between a range of devices and services as a default setup. It is advised that you should always review security settings on any device or service you connect to your network.

Take advantage of additional security settings where available, ensure passwords are in place to protect your key systems and use services such as two factor authentications to prevent easy access to key accounts. If you use a standard router for on site wi-fi have you changed the default password on the box?

 

3 – Prevention through control

Best practice is to control the level of permissions and access available to users across any system you use. Who can access your banking software? Who can access your Pinnacle Professional system? Ensure only those who require access have access. Apply the required level of permissions and functions to the role the user performs to help minimise potential risks. 

Can your users access the internet freely on any device? Is that device connected to your Pinnacle Pro network, ensure your staff are aware of what acceptable web use is or lock it down. It is estimated only 27% of business trained their staff in cyber security in 2019.

 

4 – Protecting your services

 

Hollander provide Linux based servers to Pinnacle Professional customers that helps prevent against many malicious software attacks, however car breakers should still aim to keep Malware and Virus definitions updated on any device on their IT network. 

Storage devices should be used with caution, USB or removable media can be susceptible to carrying malicious software. If you are taking images of parts and using multiple removable storage devices to transfer these to your Pinnacle inventory you want to de risk this by using software solutions such as Snap IT to automate the process

Backup data, if the worst was to happen ensure your business continuity by having a regular backup process in place that can get your businesses critical data back within a short timeframe. How would your business react to your inventory systems data being lost?

 

Hollander provides online and offsite backup solutions to help yards be prepared for the worst.

 

5 – Keep your devices and software up to date

 

Pinnacle Professional regularly receives feature updates and enhancements, at times some of these enhancements are aimed at increasing security and offering greater functionality for the areas mentioned in previous points. This is typically a software update delivered such as version 19.1. However, yards should be vigilant ensuring all devices are kept up to date and the latest patches are installed when available across all software and hardware connected to your network.

Be aware that all IT hardware has a limited lifespan and regular audits should be taking place to ensure your hardware is fit for purpose. If you are using software services be mindful of the support available, consider switching services when support is no longer available, or updates cease as this is an indicator that your network could be put at risk in the near future. 

Ensuring your business is cyber savvy and security ready not only is good business practice but a critical area for auto recyclers to actively consider in order to avoid unnecessary loss of revenue, reputation or data. If you want to discuss how Hollander can help you be more Cyber ready, please get in touch. Further information and guidance on business best practice can be viewed online on the National Cyber Security Centre website

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Changes to IC part types

Changes to IC part types

Changes to IC part types

We are making some changes to some of our part type display names used within Pinnacle Professional and our web platforms. This will impact our Australian and New Zealand users of Pinnacle. The name changes are being made to offer clarity and offer part type names that are more useful to you an end-user or a potential customer viewing the part name online.

 

There are 17 part type names being changed. These are detailed in the table below.

Please look out for these changes within your Pinnacle Professional system which are live now. As you are viewing on a mobile device you can download this list of impacted part types by clicking this link.

Any questions or queries on the above changes, please contact Hollander Australia support.

Current Part Type: Change to: Reason for change
ROCKER ASSY/COVER ROCKER COVER Better representation of part inventoried and sold
F/BAR REINFORC/BRACK FRONT BAR BRKT/REINFORCEMENT Clarity and improved key words
LEFT REAR DOOR/SLIDING LEFT REAR DOOR Less confusing (sliding doors are a type of rear door)
RIGHT REAR DOOR/SLIDING RIGHT REAR DOOR Less confusing (sliding doors are a type of rear door)
GAS CONVERSION LPG PARTS Better suited to selling either conversion or components
DOOR/BOOT/GATE LOCK LOCK MECHANISM Improved description of actual part (any lock)
RADIO/CD/DVD/SAT/TV STEREO/HEAD UNIT Now describes basic form instead of function which was confusing when used online
SEAT BELT/STALK SEAT BELT Now description of basic category to avoid online confusion if selling belt or stalk only
INSTRUMENTCLUSTER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER Added space
DOOR/TAILGATE SEAL BODY SEAL RUBBER Now describes basic form instead of location-specific application
REVERSE CAMERA CAMERA Covers both front and rear camera’s – IC lines differentiate each kind
F LEAF SPRING FRONT LEAF SPRING Clarity and improved key words
R/BAR BRACKET/REINFO REAR BAR BRKT/REINFORCEMENT Clarity and improved key words
FREEWHL LOCKING HUB LOCKING HUB Simplicity
WHEEL STANDARD STEEL WHEEL STEEL Greater accuracy
FRONT BRAKE DISC/DRM FRONT BRAKE DISC Front brake drums do not exist on light vehicles of the last 40 years
WHEEL MAG WHEEL ALLOY Present day terminology

Please look out for these changes within your Pinnacle Professional system which are live now. If you want to download this list above on a separate file you can do so by clicking this link.

Any questions or queries on the above changes, please contact Hollander Australia support.

 

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New Features coming to Pinnacle Professional

New Features coming to Pinnacle Professional

New Features coming to Pinnacle Professional

19.1 brings lots of new features, but 2 exciting additions are some changes to the modify part and MVR/parts screens to allow inventory decisions to be made from these screens, over the usual PDR process. We’ve also improved the pricing functions around core parts and surcharges to help maximise income from these often neglected areas..

Hollander International are delighted to announce version 19.1 of the Pinnacle Professional yard management system will be available soon to all users in UK and EU. Currently going through beta, customers can look forward to a range of new features, enhancements and bug fixes.

As always Pinnacle Professional updates are free and made available to all users unless detailed otherwise. As part of this Pinnacle release, the development team have focused on increasing efficiency around many of the day to day processes you rely on Pinnacle for supporting during the inventory process.

 

New Features

There are 5 new features being added to Pinnacle as part of version 19.1.

  • The ability to see IC images on Modify/Edit parts screens. Helping users identify parts we have included a new button called “IC Images” which when clicked shows images associated with that part and interchange.
  • Ability to create a tag number for all parts when added to inventory including Y and U stats parts.
  • Changes to “Find parts” to support searching for unresolved parts when searching for a specific interchange.
  • Ability to colour code unresolved parts from the look and feel menu within Pinnacle.
  • Basic stats now included in the MVR/Parts tab for any part that has an IC number.

 

Enhancements

  • VIN Decode gets additional enhancements to the user experience. The VIN decode results table can now be sorted by clicking on the table header rows.
  • VIN Decode now utilises improved manufacturer field matching to enhance model matches.
  • VIN Decode – CVT and DSG gearboxes on decoding now populate the MVR with “automatic” as the transmission type.
  • Surcharge Pricing – New order wizard for creating and storing a surcharge fee.
  • eBay listing – The Item Specific ‘Tag Number’ will show ‘N/A’ if no tag number is present.
  • We have added Vendor and Invoice# to the P3 report (Purchase Order Detail).
  • Better security for managing and checking user privileges.
  • New filter options added to the control centre to help you identify unpaid orders.
  • Additional functions added to the “Export CSV” function allowing for the export of data from Pinnacle to a CSV document.

Bug Fixes

As part of the 19.1 Pinnacle release, we have squashed a number of bugs reported by customers since the last release. Here are the key bug fixes we are addressing as part of Pinnacle 19.1:

  • eBay Listing errors
  • Manual pricing error on T20
  • Error saving T18 report to Excel
  • Adding location to part in Modify parts needed to be actioned twice
  • Unable to see images on Pinnacle Net
  • T16 Report: COG
  • PO Pricing changes with WO’s.
  • Occasional alert message when opening brokerage WO’s
  • Removed “USD” from the input parts screen
  • Locking issue
  • Wildfly start-up issue
  • Markplaats
  • Android Inventory Pro – Public Comments
  • Android Inventory Pro – ignores default status defined in PDR
  • Inventory Pro: Sub-Assy parts marked as in resolution getting detached from Master Part.

 

As you can see there is plenty to look forward to with the next release of Pinnacle and we can’t wait to get it to you in the coming weeks.

As we get closer to general release we will share guides and training material covering the new features, enhancements and bug fixes listed above to support your teams with what’s new and to help you make the most of these new features.

 

 

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ARE YOU USING OUR LATEST INVENTORY APPS?

ARE YOU USING OUR LATEST INVENTORY APPS?

Are you using our latest inventory Apps?

Hollander’s latest versions of the Android apps are now available to download from the Google Play store. View our guide on correct practice for removing old versions prior to install. We advise all yards review this, install and use only the latest versions of our applications.

Additional features include:

  • Edit parts, mark parts as missing, etc using BarcodeScannerPro.
  • Update vehicle locations offline (Outside wifi range) using TricoderPro.
  • Show you inventoried parts when doing a PDR for a second time (InventoryPro)
  • App licensing to allow you to have the apps on multiple devices which will give you a daily limit to the number of licenses you subscribe to.

These have some additional functionality over the previous versions which is included in the full release notes.

 

 

Learn about how our inventory applications and sales inventory tools can support your yard further.  If you currently don’t have one our Pinnacle Professional Inventory applications or wish to extend your licence and access then get in touch with us to discuss your options to help make your inventory process as efficient as possible. 

 

 

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PINNACLE PROFESSIONAL VERSION 18.2 NOW AVAILABLE

PINNACLE PROFESSIONAL VERSION 18.2 NOW AVAILABLE

Pinnacle Professional Version 18.2 Now Available

Hollander International has released the 18.2 feature updates to the Pinnacle Professional yard management system bringing further enhancements to auto recyclers. 

Pinnacle Professional is regularly updated with features released in regular installments. Our latest release 18.2 is no different and sees 7 key feature releases with a host of under the hood and user experience enhancements.

Included in the latest release of Pinnacle 18.2 are the following key features:

  • GDPR enhancements – allowing yards to comply with the latest EU Data regulations within Pinnacle. Allowing greater control and security over customer and user data.
  • Android Application updates – A few tweaks and enhancements to make the stocking of car parts from the yard to inventory as seamless as possible.
  • Back Order Functionality – Pinnacle now allows you to list parts and quantity of parts that customers are wanting and then notifies the user who created the back orders that the stock is now available to fulfil this order and then create a work order and invoice.
  • Custom Search Criteria – additional search field being made available – # The purpose of this field is to allow bespoke search criteria to be implemented on clients systems.
  • eBay Enhancements – To improve the time it takes to upload parts to eBay and get the eBay listing set up. We have updated the Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) to recognise that when the K-Type field is populated.
  • New Welcome Panel – We have introduced a new way for you to get information direct to Pinnacle about significant events or news that we want our users to be aware of.

These changes are aimed at keeping Pinnacle the most flexible and efficient system to use when stocking your car parts. There are also many bug fixes and user-requested enhancements that have been made to ensure your yard can operate in harmony with the Pinnacle yard management system.

  

User guides can be downloaded for each of the 7 major updates listed above to help you as a Pinnacle User understand how the feature functions and how to access/use these new features within your Pinnacle system. Access our 18.2 user guides.

 

The updates listed above have been made available for both the United Kingdom, European, Australian and New Zealand marketplaces.

Stay tuned for further updates regarding new Pinnacle Features being released in the near future.

 

 

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