ILC ARTICLE

Connection to CAPS Provides Instant Access to Advantage Parts Solutions

25th August 2020

Advantage Parts Solutions has selected CAPS as a UK connectivity partner to link to a large fast-growing network of organisations leading the UK’s motor insurance collision repair ecosystem.

The Canadian-owned company provides a platform that enables original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts dealers to sell more effectively by allowing repairers to order all of the parts needed for a job in one place.

As a result, bodyshops can focus on delivering repairs and insurers can track progress in real time, improving how service levels are monitored and providing better information to drivers. Advantage Parts Solutions is currently linked to 1,100 dealers across the UK and 300 repairers working with insurance claim customers.

CAPS is already used by more than 1,200 of the UK’s top collision repair bodyshops as well as 65 work providers and suppliers. It connects seamlessly to all the leading bodyshop management systems and third-party software platforms with no need for additional development.

“Over the past 26 years our business in the UK was focused on helping parts suppliers sell more effectively,” said Darren Clark, Advantage Parts Solutions Commercial Director

“We began working with insurers about eight years ago when we saw an opportunity to increase efficiencies by providing more information to insurers about the supply of parts, as this can have a significant impact on repair times and customer satisfaction.”

Darren explained that missing parts have historically been the reason cited for a delay in a repair. However, there was no data or transparency to enable repairers and their partners to establish better service levels.

David Gaskell, Insure Programme Director for Advantage said “Our focus was on capturing data and streamlining communications. The challenge is that this is a sector where there are multiple data entry points and many different technology standards. Historically we’ve had to build lots of individual connections and APIs to integrate to bodyshop management systems, third party platforms and the technology used by work providers.

“We then realised CAPS is the solution. With one connection to CAPS, we can communicate with almost the whole UK insurance collision repair sector.”

CAPS brings many other benefits alongside efficient, seamless communication and in particular, GDPR-compliant data transfer and high levels of data security through end-to-end encryption.

David Neave, Chair of the CAPS independent National Advisory Council, said, “The benefits experienced by Advantage Parts Solutions demonstrates how CAPS is enabling the collision repair sector to drive efficiencies, reduce repair times, reduce cost and ultimately improve customer service by removing data blockages, and connecting the ecosystem.

“An insurance claim is an information-rich process. Sharing data equally, quickly, transparently and safely with all of the stakeholders involved in the repair. This brings increasing benefits given the growing move towards digitisation. The independence and investment underlining CAPS means that it can become a genuinely open and accessible platform for the benefit of everyone involved in collision repair.”