Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

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Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

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Glossary

1

ADAS calibration

Re-aiming and verifying advanced driver assistance sensors (forward cameras, radar, blind-spot units) after windscreen replacement, suspension work or alignment. At Vision KC it is one of the fastest-growing equipment categories, because calibration rigs and bay space are now a capital decision for independent shops.

2

DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code)

The alphanumeric code a control module stores when it detects a fault, for example P0301 for a cylinder misfire. Class sessions and scan-tool vendors at the show build diagnostic workflows around reading, freezing-frame and clearing DTCs correctly rather than swapping parts.

3

OBD-II

The standardised on-board diagnostics port and protocol on vehicles from 1996 onward in the US market. It is the entry point for emissions testing, generic code reading and the pass-through reprogramming tools demonstrated on the exhibit floor.

4

Scan tool / diagnostic platform

The handheld or tablet device, plus its software subscription, used to talk to modules, run bidirectional tests and perform relearns. Buyers at the show compare coverage depth, subscription cost and update cadence, not just screen size.

5

J2534 pass-thru

A standardised vehicle communication interface that lets a laptop run manufacturer reprogramming software. It matters at Vision KC because module flashing and software updates increasingly require OEM subscriptions plus a compliant pass-thru device.

6

Bidirectional control

A scan-tool function that commands a component - fuel pump, cooling fan, transmission solenoid - on and off so a technician can prove a circuit instead of guessing. Demonstrations of bidirectional tests are a common way exhibitors separate entry-level readers from professional platforms.

7

TPMS service

Tyre pressure monitoring sensor diagnostics, relearn and replacement. It is a routine add-on revenue line for tyre and general service bays, and sensor-programming tools are a recurring exhibit category.

8

EV / hybrid high-voltage safety

The lockout, PPE and isolation procedures used before working near orange high-voltage cabling on electrified vehicles. Training providers at the show treat it as a prerequisite competency rather than an optional module.

9

DVI (digital vehicle inspection)

A phone- or tablet-based inspection workflow that sends photo and video findings to the customer for approval before work is authorised. Shop software vendors exhibit DVI because it directly changes average repair order value and approval speed.

10

Service advisor

The frontline role that translates a technician's findings into an estimate, obtains approval and manages the customer relationship. Advisor-focused classes and shop-management software booths are a substantial slice of the programme.

11

TSB (Technical Service Bulletin)

An OEM-published note describing a known condition and the approved fix. Knowing where TSBs and updated labour operations live is a recurring theme in drivability classes, because the fix is often a reprogramming operation rather than a part.

12

Flat-rate labour time

The book time an operation is expected to take, used to price a job and pay technicians. Estimating accuracy and labour guides come up repeatedly because under-quoted diagnostic work erodes shop margin.

13

Shop management system (SMS)

The software handling scheduling, repair orders, parts ordering, invoicing and reporting. Vendors at the show pitch integration with DVI, parts catalogues and payment processing rather than standalone features.

14

OEM vs aftermarket parts

Original equipment parts supplied through dealer channels versus independently manufactured alternatives. Suppliers at the event position coverage, warranty terms and fitment data alongside price, and shops weigh comeback risk against margin.

15

Two-post and four-post lifts

The two main vehicle lift architectures in a service bay: two-post for wheel-free work such as brakes and suspension, four-post for alignment and drive-on inspection. Lift capacity, ceiling height and anchor requirements are the practical buying questions raised on the floor.

16

Alignment and ADAS-ready bay

A bay designed with level floor, target space and controlled lighting so alignment and camera calibration can be performed in-house. It is a facilities decision that often pairs equipment purchases at the show with a building upgrade at home.

17

Mobile repair and roadside diagnostics

Service delivered at the customer's location with portable tooling and a compact scan setup. Mobile operators attend to compare battery-powered equipment, security and van-fit tool storage against fixed-bay alternatives.

18

Core charge

A refundable deposit charged on rebuilt or remanufactured components until the old unit is returned. It appears in parts-counter conversations and affects how shops price reman versus new assemblies.