Body repair estimating system house Audatex has been accused of attempts to “bully” developers of the Common Automotive Platform Standard (CAPS) into giving it an exclusive access to repair data.

The CAPS project transmits information between bodyshops and approved bodyshop software developers, who can then use the data to create cycle time management and repair tracking systems.

By creating a common platform where data from various management systems can be compared, CAPS hopes insurance companies will no longer be able to demand that bodyshops invest in one specific estimating system.

Eddie Longworth, co-ordinator of CAPS and managing director of Norton Consulting, says: “Attempts by Audatex to bully the management systems into compliance provide ample evidence of how an Audatex controlled information transmission system might work and who would be the main beneficiary.

“Audatex is more than welcome to join the CAPS initiative and gain access to agreed information from the management systems, but we can see no reason why any single company should have a monopoly of ownership and access.”

Last week’s inaugural Audatex Industry Forum, attended by all the major trade bodies, raised concerns over CAPS’ commercial implications and established a cross-industry committee, chaired by David Cresswell of ABP Club, to examine data sharing.

Paul Tucker, Audatex managing director, says: “Data should be made freely available over open standards.”