Data quality is no longer a technical detail. It is a business driver.
In the independent aftermarket, online sales continue to grow. Customers search, compare and order parts digitally. If product data is incomplete or incorrect, parts are not found. Or worse, the wrong parts are ordered. This leads to returns, extra work and lost revenue.
Creating Transparency Through Data Quality Standards
With TecDoc, we provide a structured data environment that connects manufacturers and trading partners through standardised product information. Our Data Quality Management (DQM) initiative sets clear standards for product data quality. It focuses on completeness, accuracy, consistency and correct vehicle linkage.
The Premier Data Supplier (PDS) status builds on this framework. It signals that a manufacturer meets defined quality benchmarks within the TecDoc ecosystem. For trading partners, this offers orientation in an increasingly complex market.
But how does this translate into day-to-day business at retail level?
Data Quality as a Core Criterion at hostettler autotechnik ag
We spoke with Christoph Althaus, Head of Product Management at hostettler autotechnik ag. The company is one of the leading suppliers to the Swiss garage industry and offers more than 120,000 spare and service parts.
Christoph Althaus explains:
“Data quality in the TecDoc Catalogue is becoming increasingly important, both in supplier selection and in our daily operations. Within our product management department, it now carries the highest weighting in our supplier evaluation.”
Christoph Althaus, Head of Product Management at hostettler autotechnik ag
For hostettler, this development is closely linked to the growth of online business.
“Online sales now represent the clearly predominant share of our sales volume. If product data is incorrect, customers either cannot find the right parts or, in the worst case, order the wrong items. High data quality is therefore essential for efficient processes and for avoiding returns.”
The connection is clear: poor data reduces visibility, lowers conversion rates, and increases returns. In a margin-sensitive environment, this is not sustainable.
Certification as a Practical Signal
Since this year, hostettler has integrated DQM and PDS certification into its supplier assessment. For Christoph Althaus, this reflects a broader market shift. The topic is increasingly moving into focus among suppliers, and meeting the growing technical requirements across the value chain requires consistent and high-quality implementation.
Certification provides structure and reduces uncertainty. A concrete example is the use of the SRS system within the DQM framework. For hostettler, its value became visible in the collaboration with suppliers:
“By actively pointing out the use of the SRS system, we were able to significantly optimise processes together with individual suppliers. For us, not only the response speed is decisive, but above all the quality of the feedback in the form of precise and complete information. These optimisations create clear added value for both sides.”
This highlights an important point: Speed matters. But accuracy and completeness matter more. Structured corrections improve processes along the entire supply chain.
Increasing Complexity Requires Better Data
The aftermarket is becoming more digital and more complex. Product ranges expand. Vehicle variants multiply. Attribute requirements increase.
Christoph Althaus summarises the outlook:
“With the continuously growing online share and increasing complexity at manufacturer and article level, including their interconnections, high-quality product data with precise attribute differentiation is an absolute must.”
The direction is clear. Data quality will not become less relevant. It will become more decisive.
What This Means for Manufacturers
Data quality goes beyond compliance and directly affects commercial performance. Traders assess suppliers using structured criteria, where DQM and Premier Data Supplier status act as recognised benchmarks. Accurate product data improves visibility, reduces returns and strengthens trust, making it a clear competitive factor in the digital aftermarket.
