Article

Streamlining operations: How JLR enhanced efficiency through CarSensor automation

Patryk Szafiański
Project Manager / PM Lead

CarSensor is a leading online platform in Japan dedicated to listing and selling used cars.

It offers dealerships and retailers a comprehensive marketplace where they can showcase their vehicles to a broad audience of potential buyers.

The platform allows users to search for cars based on various criteria, such as make, model, price range, and location.

In addition, CarSensor provides detailed information on each vehicle, including specifications, pricing, and seller contact details, making it easier for buyers to find the right car.

On top of all that, the platform offers various tools and resources, such as loan calculators and buyer guides, to assist users in making informed purchasing decisions.

carsensor japan

The Importance of Automated CarSensor Integration

For JLR, automating the data dispatch to CarSensor was an important step for streamlining their operations in Japan. Previously, JLR manually inputted vehicle data into CarSensor, which was time-consuming and prone to errors.

Given the platform’s prominence as a trusted and widely used resource for car buyers in Japan, JLR needed to maintain accurate and up-to-date listings. Automating this process allowed the automotive manufacturer to reduce manual work, minimize errors, and ensure that its vehicle data was consistently accurate across all platforms.

"One aspect worth highlighting is the organization of images. Our AI-driven feature within Stock Locator doesn’t just handle car data; it also manages and organizes images.

As the data sent to CarSensor includes photos, they are automatically added to the portal in a specific, logical order."

Jarek Lubelski Tech Lead, Reffine
carsensor japan

Behind the code: integration story

The integration with CarSensor required a custom-built solution due to the platform's unique data requirements. Unlike typical integrations where data is pulled from external sources, CarSensor extracts data from JLR's system.

This necessitated the use of Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) instead of the more common API-based methods, ensuring that the data transfer met CarSensor's specific needs.

While technically challenging, this approach was essential for aligning with CarSensor’s processes and maintaining the integrity of the vehicle data.

To meet the expectations of Japanese consumers, who demand detailed information on vehicle condition, history, and specifications, the integration included custom fields and data formatting that aligned with CarSensor's platform. 

This level of customization was crucial to deliver a seamless user experience and build trust within the market.


Localization and customization

Localization helped ensure the success of the integration with CarSensor. This involved adapting the data export process to include specific fields required by Japanese buyers. Additionally, the integration required modifications to how JLR stored and formatted data, ensuring compatibility with CarSensor’s systems.

carsensor japan

Automation and data integrity

Automating the data export and upload process reduced the need for manual work, which minimized the risk of errors and ensured that the car listings on CarSensor were always up-to-date. This automation was particularly important in the Japanese market, where accuracy and real-time updates are highly valued.

As a result of the integration, JLR could transfer data every 4 hours, ensuring that vehicle listings remained current and that customers always had access to the most accurate information.

To achieve this, we implemented background jobs that run continuously, pulling any new or updated data since the last transmission. We also employed timestamping to avoid unnecessary duplication, ensuring that only new or updated images are sent. This incremental approach not only reduces data redundancy but also maintains the efficiency of the system, adds Jarek Lubelski, Tech Lead at Reffine.

Maintaining data integrity was a priority throughout the integration process. Accurate, complete, and properly formatted data played an essential role in avoiding issues with listings and maintaining buyer trust.

The integration involved sending separate data and image files, with images being used directly in CarSensor’s listings, further emphasizing the need for precision and consistency.


Conclusion

By automating the data management process and tailoring the integration to meet CarSensor’s specific requirements, JLR was able to reduce manual workloads, minimize errors, and ensure consistent, accurate data across platforms.

This integration highlights the importance of flexibility, customization, and automation in optimizing business operations, particularly in a market as detail-oriented as Japan.

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