CAS at AAPEX/SEMA 2024: Highlights and Insights

This week, the CAS team attended the AAPEX and SEMA conventions in Las Vegas, engaging with industry leaders and exploring exciting developments in automotive technology. Here are some key takeaways:

Monday:

  • Attended the NASTF General Meeting, featuring speakers from NASTF Australia, Hyundai Motors Group, and ASE. Discussions included new tools, ADAS certifications, and theft prevention measures.
  • Connected with key players in OEM tool distribution to address ongoing challenges and upcoming innovations.

Tuesday & Wednesday:

  • Explored the AAPEX convention, identifying a promising new re-flashing power supply and participating in demos of cutting-edge ADAS calibration tools.
  • Held strategic meetings with TEXA, ISS, and EZDS-USA to strengthen partnerships and explore advertising opportunities for 2025.
  • Discussed the future of EZRemote, reaffirming CAS’s exclusive role in its U.S. distribution and support strategy.
  • Met with various suppliers, including Schumacher and PICO, to explore new tools and technologies to enhance our offerings.

Thursday:

  • Visited the SEMA convention, a massive showcase of automotive innovation.
  • Built new relationships with key players like WorldPAC and Autoland Scientech to expand CAS’s reach in training and OEM tools.
  • Enjoyed interactive moments like “Beat the Bot” at the OPUS booth and connected with existing CAS customers, reinforcing our commitment to top-tier service.

Overall, it was a productive and inspiring week, filled with opportunities to advance CAS’s mission of providing the best diagnostic and repair solutions for our customers. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build on these exciting developments!

CAS Announces Updates to E-ZDS Family of Scan Tools and Secure Gateways for Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis

Easton, Massachusetts July 16th, 2024

CAS is thrilled to announce the release of significant software updates for the E-ZDS family of scan tools, specifically targeting the Zenith and G-Scan models. These updates are designed to enhance the functionality and capabilities of our tools, ensuring our customers have access to the latest advancements in automotive diagnostics.
CAS President and CEO, John Jenkins, commented on this update: “Another release and on time, as usual, with the E-ZDS engineering team! This release updates the Zenith and G-Scan database to securely access 2023-2025 car models in the Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis lines.”

Second Major Update of the Year – Central Gateway Access to Nissan Vehicles
Earlier this month, E-ZDS released their second major software update of the year, introducing a range of new features and improvements. One of the standout enhancements is the Central Gateway (CGW) access for Nissan vehicles. This update is a testament to our commitment to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving automotive diagnostics industry.

New Software Release for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis
E-ZDS has also released a Service Notice highlighting a new software update for multiple Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles’ Secure Gateway Access (SGW) control modules. This update covers 2023-2025 model years, providing critical access for many Zenith buyers who chose Z5, Z7, or G-Scan tools over more expensive OEM alternatives. This update is essential for maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of diagnostic operations for these vehicle models.

Our goal is to provide our customers with the most advanced and cost-effective diagnostic solutions. These updates are a significant step towards achieving that goal, ensuring our tools remain at the forefront of the industry.
We encourage our customers to renew their subscriptions to take full advantage of these new features. Detailed information can be found on our website at https://oemtools.com/multi-line-scanners/ in the document library. Additionally, several YouTube videos are available on the same page to demonstrate the CGW operation.
For more information, please do not hesitate to call us at 877-263-4897 or contact us through our site at OEMTools.com.

About CAS
Connected Automotive Systems (CAS) is a leading provider of advanced diagnostic tools and solutions for the automotive industry. Based in South Easton, MA, CAS has been in business for over 25 years. We excel in customer service, offer remote support, and provide aftermarket scan tools with advanced features and reliable performance for modern automotive technicians. Our extensive list of available OEM scan tools is second to none.

CAS Announces Major Release For The G-Scan Family Of Scan Tools

The company (CAS) has announced today that E-ZDS the software developer for G-scan, has just released the next major software update for the G-scan family of scan tools.

CAS President and CEO, John Jenkins commenting on this third major release of 2022; “Another release and on time, as usual, with the E-ZDS engineering team! This release has 3 dozen different car lines being added or updated to the G-scan scan tool database.” “For those repair shops and mobile diagnostic service providers that use the G-scan and Zenith-5, they will be happy to see this release includes the majority of 2022 models for Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge. In the past, repair shops could wait 2-3 model years for coverage to arrive. Now with ADAS services, a number of our customers are demanding more current vehicle coverage. E-ZDS has been addressing this situation with their on-going, timely software development.”

It was also noted E-ZDS has security access capabilities for the FCA vehicle line as well as Hyundai and Kia making the Z5, G-scan3, and G-scan2 the only known non-OEM scan tools to offer both of these OEM authorized dual security access capabilities.

The newly released software includes a large amount of new Volkswagen, Audi and Subaru coverage, as well as 30+ other car lines. Expansion areas include Diagnostics, Maintenance Functions and ADAS calibrations. Also made available is a multi-page ‘What’s New September 2022’ PDF file for downloading from the CAS website; https://oemtools.com/multi-line-scanners/.

Customers under a current subscription are encouraged to update their G-scan immediately to take advantage of all the latest additions and enhancements. G-scan owners wishing to purchase a subscription are encouraged to call their CAS representative.

CAS Announces Major Release For The G-Scan Family Of Scan Tools

The company (CAS) has announced today that E-ZDS the software developer for G-scan, has just
released the next major software update for the G-scan family of scan tools.

CAS President and CEO, John Jenkins commenting on this first major release of 2021; “It’s great to
see the amount of new coverages introduced with this release. Jaguar and Land Rover were extended
quite a bit as were the Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge vehicle lines”

“I am also excited to see the release of an ever increasing number of ADAS calibration capabilities
as E-ZDS is adding a number of 2020 vehicles. In the past, repair shops could wait 2-3 model years for
coverage to arrive. Now with ADAS services, a number of our customers are demanding more current
vehicle coverage. E-ZDS has been addressing this situation with their software development”

It was also noted E-ZDS has security access capabilities for both the FCA vehicle line as well as
Hyundai and Kia making the Gscan-3 and Gscan-2 the only known non-OEM scan tools to offer this
OEM authorized dual security access capability.

The newly added vehicle coverages include a large amount of 2020 model year vehicles, multiple
Mercedes Benz models, 2018-2020 Fiat Chrysler and 20+ other car lines. Expansion areas include
Diagnostics, Maintenance Functions and ADAS calibrations. Also made available is a multi-page ‘What’s
New’ PDF file for downloading from the CAS website; https://oemtools.com/multi-line-scanners/.

Customers under a current subscription are encouraged to update their G-scan immediately to take
advantage of all the latest additions and enhancements. G-scan owners wishing to purchase a
subscription are encouraged to call their CAS representative.

View the full press release here: Gscan Software Update Press Release

TECH ALERT: February 2024 – ODIS Update Warning

Notice Date: February 6th, 2024
Product Affected: VW-Audi Factory Tools ODIS application.

Condition: Volkswagen Group of America has announced today that tomorrow, Wednesday February 7th, there will be an ODIS software release, version 23.2.0. This update will require a full uninstallation and reinstallation of the ODIS program.

Actions To Take: You should perform the update as soon as time allows. Please be advised that in the past our experience has shown us that a full uninstall and reinstall of ODIS can take up to 2 hours depending on file size and the shop’s internet download speed. So, you should plan accordingly. If you are currently covered under CAS TAS (Total Annual Support), you can call into the CAS Tech Support group for assistance in performing this update procedure. You may wish to call in prior to starting the update and schedule a specific day and time for CAS Tech Support to assist you. Scheduling can help to prevent excessive wait time when asking for assistance.

The CAS Tech Support Team
1-877-263-4897 / www.OEMTools.com

 

TECH ALERT: VW-Audi Notice

Notice Date: October 19th, 2023
Product Affected: VW & Audi ODIS Subscribers

Condition:  The Volkswagen-Audi Group (VAG) has began a process of updating the security procedures for all ODIS users. All ODIS users will be affected. A recap of what they are doing is listed below:

  • Last Week VW/AUDI sent out an e-mail with an attached PDF file to appx 2,800 IRF (Independent Repair Facilities) explaining the process they are starting.
  • On Tuesday, 10-17 VW/Audi loaded all the VW contacts into the GRP (Group Retail Portal) and then sent out an e-mail asking everyone to verify their e-mail address.
  • Some CAS customers received the e-mail directly, other shops had the e-mail coming into us as VW/AUDI used their #@oemtools.com address
  • For the CAS customers who had the notice sent to CAS, Harold in CAS Tech Support will be creating a new password and then e-mailing these shops to advise them of this change.
  • This will be completed by EOD today. (Thursday 10-19)
  • Audi users will be added on the 30th of October using the same above steps.
  • Appx two weeks after Audi is notified, VAG (VW-Audi Group) will be sending out instructions to create 2 factor authentication for every user.
  • It was noted that when this e-mail arrives the end users will have only 24 hours to reply. So, watch for this e-mail!
  • When all of these steps are complete, VAG will announce to all ODIS users that they can switch from using their current ODIS credentials to their new GRP credentials.
  • VAG has advised us that this final switch and notification will occur sometime around the end of November.
Actions To Take: If you have received a couple of e-mails from VW-Audi, follow the directions ASAP as you have a limited window of time to do so. If you do not recall receiving any e-mails, then most likely we received them and are following the instructions. We will be send out an e-mail today to each of these shops with the new U/N and password. You should however continue to use your current (old) user name and password until VAG announces the switch is complete. Again, this not expected to be announced until sometime in November.If you have any questions, please contact your local CAS sales rep of CAS Tech Support.

The CAS Tech Support Team
1-877-263-4897 / www.OEMTools.com