The TecCom Customer Day in Madrid showed that progress in the Independent Automotive Aftermarket is built through shared standards, reliable data, and real collaboration. With around 50 attendees from both manufacturers and wholesale/distribution, the day created a rare chance to look at the same challenges from both sides of the transaction.
What stood out most was not only the content, but the way it was shared. The exchange of ideas was dynamic, discussions were lively, and the format gave everyone enough time to ask questions and contribute. Many attendees highlighted the roundtable approach, the clear explanations of common issues, and the approachable style of the presenters. There was a genuine feeling that, together, the industry can move forward faster and support each other in digitalisation and automation.
Below is a recap of the biggest takeaways, centred on three topics that generated the most interest: TXML 5.0, TecCom Managed Data, and the new Shopping Cart demonstration.
What attendees valued most
A recurring theme in feedback was interaction and openness. Participants appreciated:
- Two-way dialogue rather than one-way presentations
- Time for questions, follow-ups, and specific explanations
- Concise, practical sessions focused on real problems and solutions
- A professional yet friendly atmosphere that encouraged participation
Just as importantly, the mixed audience of suppliers and distributors enabled conversations that do not always happen in day-to-day operations: about where misunderstandings typically occur, what “good” looks like for both sides, and how to reduce friction across partner boundaries.
1) TXML 5.0: raising the bar for automation
A major focus was our new standard for message and data exchange and the opportunities it creates to automate and standardise trading processes. When ordering and returns rely on inconsistent formats or interpretations, small ambiguities often lead to exceptions, manual checks, clarifications, and rework.
TXML 5.0 strengthens the foundation for:
- More consistent message handling across partners
- Fewer errors and exceptions caused by unclear structures
- Better scalability as volumes grow and partner networks expand
- Smoother end-to-end flows in ordering and returns
The key takeaway was simple: standardisation is a practical enabler of operational efficiency. The more reliably companies can exchange information in a shared structure, the more confidently they can automate, and the less time they spend correcting issues.
2) TecCom Managed Data: faster decisions through reliable data
Data came up in almost every discussion because it is often the root cause behind process inefficiency. If product information, pricing, logistics data, and availability are not easy to share and keep aligned, teams compensate with manual steps and constant checking.
TecCom Managed Data addresses this by making it easier to distribute and consume key information in a structured, reliable way, including article data, pricing, and availability.
The value is tangible on both sides:
- Suppliers can reduce effort, avoid repeated corrections, and improve consistency
- Buyers gain faster access to trustworthy information and can decide more quickly
In Madrid, interest centred on how better data distribution unlocks improvements beyond a single process step: fewer follow-ups, clearer decisions, and a stronger foundation for e-commerce and internal systems.
3) New Shopping Cart: a more streamlined buying experience
The day also featured a demonstration of the new Shopping Cart, which sparked particularly practical conversations about usability and workflow impact. When purchasing steps are intuitive and structured, teams move faster, with fewer mistakes and fewer interruptions.
Attendees valued seeing “how it works” in a concrete way, not just as a concept. The presentation helped connect product improvements to daily reality: smoother buying steps, clearer transparency, and a more consistent experience that supports service levels.
Key takeaways from Madrid
While the sessions covered multiple topics, the shared learnings can be summarised in three points:
- Automation needs standards. TXML 5.0 strengthens the foundation for scalable, lower-error processes.
- Efficiency depends on data quality. Reliable distribution of pricing, availability, and article data removes friction and speeds decisions.
- Progress happens together. With manufacturers and distributors in the same room, the event reinforced that alignment across both sides accelerates digitalisation.
Continue the conversation with real-world examples
Two customers who joined us in Madrid, Jiménez Maña and TERREPOWER, are great examples of what becomes possible when standards, integrated processes, and reliable data come together.
Explore their success stories to see how digitalisation and automation translate into measurable impact:
Seamless integration: Jiménez Maña | Scaling success: TERREPOWER