the time to measure the painted surface rather than simply accepting that the paints match visually an additional process can be integrated with the paint matching and verification processes that identifies data points and data contributed by each individual remote user every time a remote user communicates with the central computer a user identification code can be communicated to the central computer and every data point or record contributed by that user can be tagged with that user 39 s identification code by this process the central computer can identify data points that correlate with other data points or data curves to a certain degree of confidence if a particular user 39 s either a particular person or repair facility data points vary too greatly and or too regularly the provider of the paint matching services can be notified and field representatives can be sent to the remote user 39 s facility to determine whether the statistical deviation is due to user error or to equipment malfunction the equipment can then be repaired or the user trained the tracking by user can be used as a method for implementing a certification program for technicians and or facilities an additional process in optional step 32.