SKF, a global leader in the automotive aftermarket, has successfully enhanced data management and customer service through the implementation of TecCom Managed Data (before CMD). By standardising product, price, and availability data and automating key processes, the company has reduced time-to-market, improved operational efficiency, and strengthened relationships with wholesale partners and customers alike.
“Before using TecCom Managed Data, our biggest challenge was keeping all relevant data up-to-date and accessible in one place. The TecCom solution solved this by reducing manual work and costs while ensuring accurate stock and product data. Ultimately, this helps us boost customer satisfaction.”
Patrick Engel, Manager Customer Integration & Pricing Automotive Vehicle Aftermarket at SKF
The Challenge
SKF is a leading provider in the Independent Automotive Aftermarket (IAM), offering a wide range of high-quality spare parts and repair solutions. Renowned for reliability and durability, SKF products are used in vehicle components such as wheel bearings, engines, transmissions, steering systems, and suspensions.
Over the years, SKF has continuously expanded its product portfolio and strengthened its market presence.
However, centralising all relevant data—such as stock levels, product master data, and price lists—for transmission to TecAlliance proved challenging. Ensuring the availability and up-to-date accuracy of this data, particularly stock information, was a complex and time-consuming task. This situation led to inefficiencies in providing consistent, reliable information to partners and customers.
The Solution
SKF has been using several TecCom solutions for years, including TecCom Order, TecCom e-Invoicing, and TecCom Returns, reflecting a holistic approach to optimizing supply chain operations. TecCom Managed Data complements this setup as a key tool to overcome data management challenges by offering standardisation and a centralised platform for transmitting structured data.
TecCom Managed Data helps suppliers and buyers streamline data and warehouse processes. For parts manufacturers, it automates the delivery of product, pricing, and availability information in a standardized format—eliminating time-consuming emails or calls. This gives buyers instant access to accurate data, improving service levels and reducing delays.
The solution provides product and logistics details such as article descriptions, article numbers, currency codes, brand, quantity, unit of measure, dimensions, weight, and shipping methods. Parts distributors can download data on demand in various file formats, adjusting content and structure to their needs. Additionally, the availability report function provides 24/7 access to article and pricing information, along with real-time updates.
The Impact
This solution allows SKF to provide their customers with standardised, high-quality order-relevant data via a fully automated, cloud-based process. For their buyers, this means immediate, around-the-clock access to consistent and comparable product information, helping them make well-informed purchasing decisions, reduce delays, and respond to clients in real time. Automated updates can be tailored to individual needs, ensuring logistics, purchasing, and warehouse teams always have the latest details on articles, replacements, pricing, promotions, and stock levels.
For SKF as a supplier, TecCom Managed Data streamlines data distribution and minimises manual, error-prone tasks, significantly reducing customer inquiries and returns. The solution enables client-specific data views, flexible delivery formats, and schedules—all from a central setup. By accelerating time-to-market, TecCom Managed Data enables SKF to launch new or successor products faster, ensuring sales can begin immediately and demand is captured from day one.
TecCom Managed Data not only supports operational efficiency but also strengthens trust across the supply chain by ensuring that every stakeholder—from the parts manufacturer to the end customer—has access to accurate, up-to-date information.
“The return on investment is clear—saving time and costs while enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.”
Patrick Engel, SKF
SKF and their wholesale dealer clients can react faster and provide accurate feedback, reducing the risk of lost sales and improving their customers purchasing experience. The standardised and automated data distribution has not only saved time and costs but has also positively contributed to revenue growth. “The standardization TecCom Managed Data provides simplifies our processes as a supplier. By managing only the export to TecAlliance, we streamline operations, enable automation, and boost efficiency. The return on investment is clear—saving time and costs while enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.”, confirmed Patrick Engel.
Looking Ahead
SKF values its partnership with TecAlliance, especially the direct contact with product managers, which allows for the rapid development and implementation of customised solutions. This collaborative approach helps further improve customer experience and keeps SKF agile in responding to market needs.
SKF plans to continuously update its existing solutions and unlock additional functionalities within the TecCom platform. By expanding its digital infrastructure and prioritizing process automation, the company aims to drive further innovation and optimization across the supply chain. This will not only benefit wholesale partners and workshops but also ensure that end customers receive quicker and more reliable service.
Conclusion
By integrating TecCom Managed Data, SKF has optimised data management, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction. The solution has streamlined communication with wholesale dealers, shortened time to market, and strengthened its position as a trusted partner in the automotive aftermarket.
