A framework for future-proofing the CAPS standard has been agreed by industry stakeholders from the insurance, bodyshop and other repairer organisations, including Sabre, LV=, RMI and Akzo Nobel.
They met this month to discuss and agree on the framework that will support CAPS as the industry standard for connecting data through the repairer supply chain at every stage of the claims process. The discussion focused on building a platform that will support the industry for the long term, in particular in terms of data integrity, security and visibility, as well as ensuring that all parties have a voice in the evolution of the CAPS system.
An agreement was reached on the structure and governance of the core National Advisory Council, as well as on the format for engaging with a large number of other organisations involved in the insurance claims process that have an interest in connecting to the CAPS platform. This will be through a series of specialist sub-working groups, similar to the industry structure in the US around the CIECA standard for data security and transfer, and will be tailored to the specific requirements of the UK market.
Delegates outlined key priorities for CAPS moving forwards, including how CAPS will support an industry that is shifting to a ‘self-service’ model, where motorists use apps and online software to access each stage of the claims process, and the impact this will have on data security and integrity.
The CAPS Council was established to be both independent and inclusive in order to ensure that the technology serves the best interests of the industry and evolves to meet the changing requirements of all parties in the supply chain, ultimately enabling the best service to the end user customer.
John O’Roarke, Chairman of CAPS, commented: “The intention of CAPS is to provide a truly agnostic platform which exists to serve the best interests of all participants. By establishing specialist sub-groups, in a manner similar to the CIECA model in the USA, we aim to ensure that CAPS is able to fully meet the future needs of our industry against a backdrop of a fast-changing and increasingly digital world.”
The NBRA is the only UK affiliated trade association representing vehicle repairers. Its Executive Director, Jason Moseley, attended the first two meetings of the CAPS National Advisory Council as the voice of the body repair community to ensure that member interests are represented.
Jason Moseley said: “It is vital to have transparency and security around data transmission and that repairers have access to CAPS in the most efficient and effective way. It is essential that there is clarity of where the data is going, how it is stored, deleted, and routed in all its aspects, which previously was not the case. CAPS is an important system to deliver this and hopefully, with the guidance and input from the Council coupled with the significant investment being made in security and transparency of data sharing as part of the new platform being implemented, it can become the industry benchmark going forwards.”
