Interview: Why standardisation is the biggest lever for better data quality

Reliable data has become a decisive success factor in the independent automotive aftermarket. In a recent interview with the German trade publication Parts & Service News, our Commercial Director Europe Central, Isabel Meeus, shares her perspective on why trusted data is essential for efficient business processes today and how standardisation, automation, and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of the industry.

Data quality creates business value

Data quality has evolved far beyond being a technical topic. Today, it directly influences efficiency, customer satisfaction, and competitiveness across the entire aftermarket.

I am convinced that data quality is no longer purely an IT topic, but a decisive competitive factor in the independent automotive aftermarket.

Every incorrect parts identification can trigger unnecessary costs throughout the supply chain, from returns and replacement deliveries to workshop downtime, warranty claims, and additional administrative effort. As vehicle technology continues to evolve and product portfolios become more complex, the need for trusted, validated data only continues to grow.

For this reason, workshops and distributors increasingly rely on dependable data sources. Initiatives such as the TecDoc Premier Data Supplier certification help the market identify manufacturers that consistently provide high-quality product information.

Digitalisation needs trusted data

Digital processes have transformed the aftermarket, but digitalisation alone does not guarantee reliable information.

Digitalisation accelerates processes – however, it does not yet guarantee data quality.

Vehicle data, product information, and application links are constantly changing. New vehicle models, alternative powertrains, software-defined vehicles, and new brands entering the European market require data to be continuously updated and validated. At the same time, information is exchanged between many different systems and organisations, making consistent standards more important than ever.

This is why we continue to develop solutions that help our customers manage growing data volumes more efficiently. For example, our TecDoc Instant Data Processing (IDP) Data Receiver API enables businesses to process updates faster without having to handle complete data packages manually.

AI is only as good as the data behind it

Artificial intelligence is already supporting data management in many areas, from product classification and plausibility checks to identifying inconsistencies in large datasets. However, AI can only deliver reliable results when it is built on reliable data.

As Isabel explains:

AI is only as good as the data on which it is based – and that is precisely why data quality remains the most important foundation for every successful AI application.

Rather than replacing data quality, AI helps organisations maintain and continuously improve it. Standardised, validated data therefore remains the essential prerequisite for making AI work effectively in the aftermarket.

Standardisation is the biggest opportunity

When asked what single change would have the greatest impact on improving data quality across the market, Isabel's answer was clear:

If I could change one thing in the market today, it would be even more consistent standardisation and collaboration across the entire value chain.

Data quality begins long before information reaches a catalogue or an ordering system. It starts when data is created, structured, and maintained according to common standards. By enabling manufacturers, distributors, workshops, and software providers to work from the same trusted data foundation, we help reduce errors, automate processes, and improve efficiency across the independent automotive aftermarket.

Read the full interview with Isabel Meeus (in German) on the Parts & Service News website…