Tech Tool is a tool that supports the repair and diagnostic process, developed in order to make the work in the workshops easier and more efficient.
Tech Tool can be used online or offline (i.e. connected to central systems or not) in the workshop, out on the field, at the roadside or during test drives.
Tech Tool is an application for diagnostic with possibility to use plug-ins to cover the whole repair process. With Tech Tool you can diagnose, test, calibrate and program a product. A product could be a vehicle, engine or a machine.
Tech Tool also provide functions for updating the tool, and communication with the product and other external applications such as links to external websites or plug-ins.
The set of plug-ins, user authorisations, and available languages is adjustable to provide every user with what they need.
The basic workflow in Tech Tool is the same for all products.
Steps in Tech Tool | Description |
---|---|
Product |
Identify a product. See View product information for details. |
Product History |
View the information history about the selected product. See View product history for details. |
Diagnose |
Diagnose the selected product for symptoms and/or DTCs. See Diagnose for details. |
Test |
Run tests on the selected product. See Test and calibrate for details. |
Calibrate |
Calibrate the selected product. See Test and calibrate for details. |
Program |
Program the selected product. See Program for details. |
These menu options are available in the Tech Tool menu.
Menu option | Description |
---|---|
Connect to Central Systems or Work Offline |
Depending on if you are working online or offline you are able to connect to or disconnect from central systems. |
Update Product Information |
Update the product information database. |
Administrate Software... |
Order different types of software. Electrical system dependent. |
Administrate Software New... |
Order different types of software. Electrical system dependent. |
Settings |
Change settings for product and network communication. See Settings for details. |
User Preferences... |
Change language and unit settings. See User preferences for details. |
Print Label... |
Print engine labels for available chassis IDs. |
|
Print the displayed information. |
Log off |
Log off the current user. |
Exit |
Exit the application. |
Only the external applications you are authorized to use are visible in the Links menu. These external applications could be either plug-in applications or links to websites relevant for brands you are working for, for example BST (Bus Service Tips), VBC Remote, FST (Field Service Tips), V-Mac Online and Impact.
If an external application is visible in the menu, but greyed-out and not clickable, you are not able to use this application from Tech Tool. The application could for example be greyed out when you are working offline if the application only is available online.
If you believe you should have access to an external application that is missing or disabled, contact your local administrator.
These menu options are available in the Help menu.
Menu option | Description |
---|---|
Tech Tool Help |
View the help file. |
Send Concern Report |
Send a concern report to report an error or suggest an improvement. |
View Report History... |
View status of all sent and pending reports. |
Contact Helpdesk |
View contact information for helpdesk. |
Remote Session Tool |
Open Remote Session Tool when you are in contact with helpdesk. |
Send Logs |
Collect and send log files to central systems for helpdesk analysis. |
What’s new... |
View information about news and updates in Tech Tool. |
View Contract... |
View and read details about your valid contracts. An open contract can be printed. |
About Tech Tool |
View information about the application. |
Whenever you experience an issue with Tech Tool or find something that could be done better there is a fast and simple way for you to report it. It is called the Concern Report function and you always have access to it no matter where you are within Tech Tool.
You can send in a Concern Report for anything you find that is not as it should be or could be better, this is your way of connecting directly with the helpdesk and system development. Using this function sends a lot of information automatically with very little input from you which makes it really fast and easy.
Wherever you are in Tech Tool, to the top right of your screen
you will find this icon . Also, in the event that there is a problem with the tool and an
error generated you are provided with the option to send in a concern
report.
When you select this, a number of things are done in the background to capture information; your contact information, log files and a copy of the screen you are looking at.
This helps us to better understand what you are about to report. It is all captured without any input from you.
Once we have this automatic information we then ask for some input from you. Each piece of information helps us to better handle and understand your concern.
Text | Description |
---|---|
Problem Type: |
This helps us to understand the type of concern you have and categorise the case correctly. |
Product status: |
This helps us to know how we should handle your concern. If you have a vehicle/machine (product) that is. |
Description: |
This is the part that really helps us. Give us a short description of the concern you are seeing. Please try and be clear about what you are seeing and when possible what you would like to see. |
Submitter contact information: |
Here we just ask you to check that we have the right contact information for you so that we can come back to you. If this is not correct please update this or if you would like someone else to be contacted please replace the information here with the main contact person’s information. |
Once you send your report you will get a conformation email containing a reference number. This confirms that your concern report has been received. A number of activities will begin happen in the background to understand the report and address it to the right areas to either come back with a solution or register your ideas for improvements.
How we come back to you does depend on a couple of factures. If you are a Volvo Group workshop you can see updates within Argus Dealer/eService. If you are not a Volvo Group workshop we will contact you using the contact information you sent in with your report.
If at any point you wish to find out the status of your concern report or update it with further information this can be done by calling the support helpdesk which details can be found in the Help menu under “Contact Helpdesk”.If you are a Volvo Group workshop you can also use Argus Dealer/eService.
These are the access and shortcut keys for the Tech Tool application.
Keyboard command | Description |
---|---|
Alt + F4 |
Close the active item, or quit the active application. |
Alt + letter key |
Select or carry out the corresponding menu command or control. |
Alt + Tab |
Switch between open windows. |
Ctrl + Tab |
Open the next tab. (Not top main menu.) |
Ctrl + Shift + Tab |
Open the previous tab. (Not top main menu.) |
Backspace |
Step back. |
Tab |
Tab forward between controls or between items in a checkbox list. |
Shift + Tab |
Tab up/backward. |
Arrow keys |
|
Ctrl + C |
Copy |
Ctrl + V |
Paste |
Ctrl + P |
|
Ctrl + R |
Open concern report dialogue. |
F1 |
Show the help. |
F5 |
Refresh |
F6 |
Move between panes. |
F10 |
Activate the menu bar and enter menu mode. |
Alt |
Activate the menu bar and enter menu mode. |
ESC |
Depending on what is in focus:
|
Enter |
Carry out the default command of the dialogue box or command of the selected control. |
Delete |
Delete selected item |
Spacebar |
|
You can log in online or offline, that is, connected to central systems or not. The online option requires a static password. The offline option does not require any password. The computer must have been used online, at least once, in order for any user to log in offline.
You have to connect to central systems on a regular basis. If you have not been connected to central systems within a certain time you will not be able to log in offline. The next time you log in you will be requested to connect to central systems.
It is also possible to change connection from offline to online and vice versa in the Tech Tool menu
Note: You are forced to synchronize your user profile with central systems on a regularly basis. You will get a notification in the log in window when synchronization is needed. To synchronize your user profile, check the box in front of Synchronize user profiles.
You can select to work online or offline, that is, be connected to central systems or not. Working offline is suitable when working outside the workshop without the ability to go online.
Note: The computer must have been used online at least once, in order for any user to log in offline.
Note: If you travel between different time zones it is recommended to set the time by changing time zones. If you set the time by adjusting the clock, you may not be able to log in offline.
Offline work can be done in two different ways:
Limitations to working offline:
The static password must consist of seven or eight characters and must be a combination of both letters and numbers. It may not contain national characters, only the characters a-z, A-Z and 0-9 are allowed. The password is case sensitive. The last eight passwords are remembered so they cannot be reused.
To change your static password: