ORLANDO — You probably use scan tools in your shop on a daily basis, and Charlie Gorman as a few ideas of what you might expect to use in the future.

Gorman, chairman of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), laid out a couple of future predictions during his lunch presentation at the WORLDPAC Supplier & Training Expo. The predictions tie closely to two committees within NASTF — the Service Information Committee and the Equipment and Tool Committee.

Looking forward, Gorman suggests that OEM scan tools will become more affordable and generic, and that all diagnostics will be performed on the Internet with standard devices and PCs.

The potential shift in that direction is one focus of the Equipment and Tool Committee. Gorman discussed the committee’s role through calls that no OEM provides all information a scan tool maker needs to emulate a scan tool, while no aftermarket scan tool manufacturer implements all the information from an OEM.

He also is quick to note that the industry never will see an aftermarket tool that can do everything on every make of vehicle. Part of that is due to an information gap between the carmaker and aftermarket.

“Nobody’s thinking about you when they design a car. Nobody’s thinking about you when they manufacturer a car,” Gorman states, posing the question then how can they get the information right if they’re not thinking in this manner.

All of this is in addition to the Secure Data Release Model (SDRM) that was implemented in 2008. The SDRM provides a way for vehicle security professionals (VSPs) to gain access to keycode immobilizer and module initialization information in a secure and legal manner.

This is a benefit for those attendees who listened to Gorman’s presentation, as many are import shop owners and multiple foreign automakers closely guard this information.

Gorman’s primary future prediction is that most diagnostic shops will join the SDRM, which will be the way to access OEM sensitive data. He also believes that OEMs will start to use this model internally, while auto diagnosticians and high-tech locksmiths will merge to become vehicle security specialists.

The NASTF serves as a means for independent repair shops to access OEM information they feel they were denied. The online process begins with a form, on which the OEM is copied and given the chance to reply. More times than not since the system was enacted in late 2008, solutions are accepted.

A couple of times the solution has moved to the committee level for review. The seven-person committee reviews the situation and offers a suggestion. If that solution still is not acceptable, it moves to arbitration.

Check out more information on the WORLDPAC expo’s multiple courses and events, all in addition to Gorman’s presentation.