The challenge
Toyota was looking for a next generation service to aggregate data from the UK’s Toyota and Lexus dealers. The aim was to provide data from dealer management systems (DMS) for detailed analysis by Toyota. The data was needed to provide complete insight into network performance across the customer, vehicle and dealer lifecycles. It enables Toyota to provide in-depth value to their customers and dealers. The data also contributes to the optimisation of Toyota’s operations, delivering new and existing products as efficiently as possible.
The solution
To deliver Toyota’s requirements, we created a bespoke version of our DataHub managed service. Our proven system integrates data from the dealer networks of a wide range of automotive manufacturers. For Toyota, we used our two specialist applications:
- The highly configurable DataHub system manages the flow of data from Toyota’s dealer network to a cloud database. The dealer data pipeline is fully monitored, bespoke business and mapping rules are applied, data quality reports are generated and the data is sent to the cloud.
- Our Transformation Manager software accurately aggregates the data from the dealers’ DMS. It then manages the transformation of the source data, through validation and out to the cloud.
Every component and service level is tailored to meet Toyota’s business needs, maximising the value to the client. The resulting DataHub system provides an accurate and up-to-date flow of data from existing and future dealers. The system currently collects from DMS including Keyloop, Titan, AutoView, Pinewood and Catalyst.
Some of the DMS data is collected via direct access, while others use a feed provided by the software provider.
The data in each DMS is extracted in terms of what we call data feeds. This gives a categorisation to the data. For the Toyota DataHub, the system extracts new and used car sales, aftersales, vehicle data, customer data and customer contact preferences. The system also monitors and manages important aspects such as customers who have been removed from the dealers’ DMS.
Toyota’s DataHub system is now being expanded to include historical data going back ten years. There is also work underway to add future aftersales bookings.
“ETL play an essential role in our dealer network strategy. Their technology enables Toyota to focus on our continuous improvement programme without the distraction of the data collection and management process. We are now extending the project to include the data required for a further range of sales and marketing initiatives.” Rod Walker, Senior Manager Systems, Toyota (GB) Ltd
