OCR scanning to speed HVAC spares identification
10th July 2024
USA: Parts Town, the distributor of OEM parts for foodservice, HVAC parts and residential appliance equipment, has added visual search capabilities to its mobile app.
The new HVAC Data Plate Scanner feature allows technicians to easily identify and purchase the exact parts they need by simply scanning the data plate on HVAC equipment.
The Scanner facility is currently in beta testing, with the initial launch supporting Trane and York brands.
Traditionally, HVAC technicians have relied on manually deciphering long model and serial numbers from data plates, a process that often comes with errors or delays. Parts Town’s HVAC Data Plate Scanner uses OCR technology to streamline this process by quickly and accurately identifying the exact OEM parts needed for HVAC equipment repairs.
Users can quickly snap a photo or upload a saved image of the model and serial number on the HVAC equipment’s data plate. Once scanned, the Parts Town app takes the user to a dedicated landing page showcasing a comprehensive list of all relevant OEM parts and manuals for the specific equipment model. Clicking on the required part directs the user to the purchase page within the Parts Town app.
“Our mission at Parts Town is to equip our customers with the tools they need to work efficiently and effectively. HVAC service technicians are often battling the clock to diagnose and repair equipment when on the job. This new functionality will allow them to identify the right parts quickly using their mobile devices, saving valuable time on every job and getting things fixed even faster,” said Parts Town’s senior vice president of HVAC
Parts Town hopes to gather valuable customer feedback from the beta testing and plans to add a wider range of manufacturers’ spares in the future.
