Als Herr Weber Montag früh in sein Auto steigen will, bemerkt er, dass der Vorderreifen platt ist. So möchte man wirklich nicht in die Woche starten. Er lässt den Wagen in die Werkstatt abschleppen – in der Hoffnung, dass der Reifen schnell ersetzt werden kann. Mehrere Dienstreisen stehen an, und er möchte seine Termine nicht absagen müssen.
But before the tire can be changed, the tire dealer must first find out where to get the right tire, how quickly it can be delivered, and how much it costs.
What tire dealers need at this point is a software that functions like a crystal ball, showing them in a matter of seconds which tires meet the customer's requirements, which ones are already available in their own warehouse, and which ones are in stock at other suppliers, such as Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, and others. At the same time, the software must make prices and delivery times transparent.
This “crystal ball” is actually the tire dealer's ERP system – with an integrated EDIWheel interface to its suppliers.
EDIWheel, the decisive competitive factor for tire dealers
In rims and tires trading, automated data exchange is not a luxury, but a crucial competitive factor. Most dealers generally keep a stock of the best-selling tire sizes and variants so that they can offer their customers a tire change without delay in emergency situations. However, there are thousands of tire variants—depending on size, type, season, and many other criteria. In addition, some customers prefer a particular brand, while the tire dealer may only have another brand in stock.
The established industry standard EDIWheel enables fully digitized data exchange between tire dealers and suppliers — in real time, directly through the ERP system. This means that during a customer consultation in the showroom or online, the dealer can immediately access relevant information: Which suppliers have the desired tires in stock? How quickly can they be delivered? What prices (including discounts or graduated prices) currently apply?
The employee can present the customer with all the information they need to make a purchase decision in no time at all. With just a few clicks, the order can then be triggered from the ERP system—without additional queries, phone calls, or waiting times. This creates a smooth sales process, that saves time and significantly increases customer satisfaction.
Hands-on dealer experience: 60% more efficient processes – fewer mistakes, higher income
EDIWheel not only speeds up internal processes — it also enables retailers to respond more quickly to customer needs, offer better service quality, and massively increase their digital competitiveness.
Georg Dachs, Head of Sales and ERP expert for the tire industry at Iptor multiflex, provides a concrete example from a joint project with a leading tire dealer in Austria:
‘Automated order processing via EDI often reduces process time by 60–70%. Simultaneously, operational process costs are reduced by up to 30% – depending on the industry and initial situation. We achieve these successes not theoretically, but together with our customers, in a measurable and sustainable manner.’
This example impressively demonstrates how a potentially complex and error-prone process can be transformed into a digitally optimized business workflow—with measurable added value.
Comparing processes in the tire trade with and without EDIWheel supplier connections
| Area | Without EDIWheel | With EDIWheel + ERP |
|---|---|---|
| Stock & Prices | Manual query to the supplier and maintenance in your own system. | Real-time synchronization between supplier, ERP, and web shop possible |
| Order processing | Email, telephone, manual entry | Automated transfer & order creation |
| Availability in Webshop | Often outdated or incorrect | Live data from suppliers' systems |
| Labor costs | High, many correction loops | Low, the focus remains on sales |
| Customer experience | Slow, unreliable | Fast, informative, convincing |
How EDI interfaces bring added value in other industries too
Are you interested in EDI outside of the tire trade? Read our comprehensive technical article on the role of EDI connections in an ERP system, including fundamental technical requirements, strategic advantages, and concrete implementation steps.
💡 Together, we find solutions to your most complex challenges.
Experience first-hand how our software solutions can digitize your tire business and transform your processes. Contact us and arrange a non-binding consultation with our team of experts.
