Seven minutes. That’s how long it takes in many repair shops to manually search for a single replacement part—including logging into the catalog, selecting the vehicle, comparing prices, and adding the part to the order. With 30 orders per day, that adds up to over three hours of pure click work. This is exactly where CATAMA comes in with its API interface to the easypart parts catalog: The direct connection to the parts search on app.easypart.app shortens this process to seconds and transfers part numbers, prices, and descriptions directly into the CATAMA order.
For auto repair shops and car dealerships, this means more than just time savings. It means cleaner data, fewer incorrect orders, and a seamless process chain from intake to invoicing.
Key Takeaways
- CATAMA, with its API interface to the easypart parts catalog, integrates easypart's online parts search directly into the CATAMA automotive software.
- Product data, prices, and quantities are automatically transferred to orders, quotes, or invoices without the need for manual entry.
- Workshops significantly reduce search times, ordering errors, and duplicate entries.
- The interface complements existing CATAMA integrations with suppliers such as WMKat, Stakis, Partslink24, and Mercedes-Benz WebParts.
- The integration is part of the modular CATAMA Suite and can be activated based on the size of the business.
Why an API connection to the parts catalog is now standard
The demands placed on automotive service shops have increased significantly in recent years. Customers expect quick estimates, transparent pricing, and short turnaround times. At the same time, the variety of parts is growing due to new powertrains, driver-assistance systems, and model variants. Anyone who still searches for parts by phone, fax, or by switching between multiple browser windows is wasting time—and losing profit margins.
An API interface provides a structural solution to this problem. Instead of manually transferring data from a catalog into the workshop software, the two systems communicate with each other automatically. CATAMA, with its API interface to the easypart parts catalog, is specifically designed for this use case: it connects the central order and invoicing platform with a modern online parts search tool.
The challenges of manual parts entry
In day-to-day practice, the same issues keep cropping up:
- Typos in long part numbers can lead to incorrect orders.
- Outdated prices in the spreadsheet reduce the margin.
- Duplicate data entry in the catalog and workshop software ties up staff.
- Lack of transparency regarding which employee entered which item.
- Media discontinuities between browsers, PDFs, phones, and software.
A direct connection to easypart eliminates these vulnerabilities because the part data is received by CATAMA in a structured format and in real time.
What exactly does CATAMA do with its API interface to the easypart parts catalog?
The interface is more than just a simple data import tool. It is a two-way connection that integrates searching, selecting, and importing. Users continue to work within the familiar CATAMA interface, so there is no need to learn how to use any additional software.
Overview of Features
| Function | Benefits for the workshop |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Context Transfer | easypart automatically identifies the vehicle from the CATAMA order |
| Article Transfer | The item number, description, price, and quantity are included in the order |
| Shopping Cart Import | Transfer multiple items at once |
| Price Update | Wholesale and retail prices based on current catalog data |
| Pictures & Descriptions | Visual confirmation that you have the correct part before placing your order |
| History | Clear association with the order and the employee |
Typical procedure in practice
- Vehicle registration in CATAMA, supported by intelligent vehicle recognition via OCR where applicable.
- Open the order and access the easypart integration directly from the item entry screen.
- easypart retrieves the vehicle context (e.g., via HSN/TSN) and displays matching parts.
- The employee selects items, checks the images and prices, and adds them to the shopping cart.
- With a single click, all items are transferred to the CATAMA order in a structured format.
- The order will be priced, approved, and converted into an invoice as usual.
“Once you’ve worked with a seamless API connection, you’ll never go back to manual searches. The time savings are measurable—and so is the error rate.”
Benefits for Auto Repair Shops and Car Dealerships
The benefits can be grouped into four categories: time, quality, profit margin, and customer experience. Each of these factors has a direct impact on the business’s profitability.
Time: Faster quotes and orders
An average auto repair shop generates between 10 and 40 quotes or work orders every day. If just five minutes are saved per transaction, that adds up to several hours per employee each week. This time can be invested either in taking on additional jobs or in improving the quality of customer service. For more background on this topic, see the article “How Auto Repair Shops Save Time and Money with CATAMA Software.”
Quality: Fewer errors, cleaner data
Since part numbers, descriptions, and prices are imported directly from easypart, there is no risk of typing errors. The data is stored in a structured format in CATAMA and is available for reporting, warranty claims, and future repairs.
Margin: Current prices and accurate calculations
Outdated price lists are a silent profit killer. The API ensures that the purchase prices stored in CATAMA match the currently available terms. Combined with the auto repair shop hourly rate calculator, this allows for precise control over the overall cost estimate.
Customer Experience: Transparent and Prompt Communication
When a customer calls to ask about the cost of a repair, the service representative can provide a reliable preliminary estimate right over the phone. The interface turns a 20-minute search into a 2-minute response.
Overview of the key benefits
- Reduced processing time per order
- Fewer errors in orders
- Better data quality for future analysis
- Higher customer satisfaction through prompt responses
- Reducing the workload of service and administrative staff
- Consistent processes across all employees
Integration with the CATAMA Suite and additional interfaces
CATAMA, with its interface (API) to the easypart parts catalog, is part of a comprehensive ecosystem of interfaces. CATAMA serves as a central hub for all data within an automotive business—from customer acquisition to the workshop and accounting. An overview can be found on the page “CATAMA Software Interfaces to Suppliers & E-Commerce.”
Overview of Additional Interfaces
| Interface | Applications |
|---|---|
| WMKat | Repair costs, AW values, and replacement parts |
| Repdoc | Repair times and labor rates |
| Stakis & Stahlgruber | Ordering parts through a wholesaler |
| Partslink24 | Manufacturers' genuine parts catalogs |
| Mercedes-Benz WebParts | Shopping Cart Import for Mercedes Parts |
| easypart | Universal parts search via app.easypart.app |
This synergy allows each business to choose the combination that best suits its brand mix and supplier structure. An independent repair shop might use easypart and Stakis in parallel, while a brand-affiliated business might supplement its offerings with Partslink24 or Mercedes-Benz WebParts.
Select the appropriate CATAMA Edition
Depending on the size of your business and your needs, different editions are available:
- CATAMA Professional – for medium-sized repair shops
- CATAMA Unlimited – Customized with Extended Support
- CATAMA Enterprise – for larger businesses and chain operations
A complete product overview, including 2026 prices, can be found on the CATAMA Automotive Software – Professional Solutions & 2026 Prices page.
Technical Fundamentals of API Integration
Even though the application has been deliberately kept simple, it’s worth taking a look behind the scenes. Understanding the technical architecture helps put the interface’s reliability and security into perspective.
What is an API?
API stands for Application Programming Interface —a standardized interface through which two software systems communicate with each other. In the case of CATAMA with an interface (API) to the easypart parts catalog, this means: CATAMA sends a request to easypart (e.g., “Which brake pads fit vehicle X?”), and easypart responds with structured data that CATAMA can process directly.
Security and Privacy
Communication is encrypted using the HTTPS protocol. Authentication and authorization ensure that only authorized businesses can access their own data. CATAMA sets forth details regarding the handling of personal data in its privacy policy.
Cloud architecture as a foundation
Since both CATAMA and easypart are cloud-based, updates, new data sets, and security patches are available immediately. For more information on the software’s cloud strategy , see the guide “Automotive Workshop Software: The Efficient Cloud Solution for Workshops.” A local installation or a separate server for parts lookup is not required.
Availability and Stability
Businesses can check the availability of all systems at any time via the CATAMA System Status. In the event of an outage, the support ticket system provides quick assistance.
Real-world examples: How the interface works in everyday life
Theory is one thing; real-world application is another. Three typical scenarios illustrate how integrating with easypart changes day-to-day work.
Example 1: Brake service for a compact car
A customer reports a squeaking noise when braking. The service technician creates the work order in CATAMA, launches the easypart search directly from the work order, and selects pads and rotors for the front axle. With a single click, four items—including images and purchase prices—are added to the work order. The estimate is ready in under two minutes.
Example 2: Inspection requiring a large number of parts
A major inspection involves replacing filters, oils, spark plugs, and small parts. Using the easypart search function, all items are added to a shopping cart and sent to CATAMA as a single order. The shop saves about 15 minutes of data entry time per inspection—which adds up to five hours of time saved per week for 20 inspections.
Example 3: Quote over the phone
A customer calls to ask about the cost of replacing an exhaust system. The employee opens the customer management system, creates a quote, accesses easypart, and provides a reliable price within minutes. The inquiry is thus converted directly into an order, rather than getting lost in the phone queue.
What repair shops should keep in mind when implementing this
An interface only realizes its full potential when processes and employees are taken into account. The following points have proven effective during implementation:
Phased introduction
Anyone implementing CATAMA for the first time should start by stabilizing the core processes—order acceptance, invoicing, and billing. Afterward, interfaces such as easypart, WMKat, or Stakis can be activated. The guide *How CATAMA Digitizes All Business Processes in the Automotive Industry* provides an overview of all processes.
Employee training
Even though the system is intuitive to use, employees will benefit from a brief training session. Key topics:
- Launching the easypart search from CATAMA
- Handling Vehicle Context and Search Results
- Adding individual items vs. the shopping cart
- Verification of prices and quantities before accepting an order
- Handling missing parts
Maintain Master Data
The interface works best when vehicle data is correctly entered in CATAMA. The HSN/TSN, initial registration date, and engine code should be maintained. The HSN/TSN lookup feature in CATAMA can assist with this.
Analysis and Optimization
After a few weeks, it’s worth taking a look at the analytics: How often is the interface being used? Which employees create the most orders using easypart? Where are manual entries still being made? These insights help further refine processes.
Economic Considerations: Is the connection cost-effective?
Investing in an interface has to be worth it. A simple example calculation illustrates the potential:
| Position | Assumption |
|---|---|
| Orders per day | 20 |
| Time saved per order | 5 minutes |
| Time saved per day | 100 minutes |
| Working days per year | 220 |
| Hours saved per year | approx. 366 |
| Hourly rate (internal) | 60 € |
| Annual economic value | approx. €21,960 |
Even if the actual time savings are only half as much, there is still a significant economic benefit. In addition, there are effects that are difficult to measure but nonetheless real, such as fewer complaints, lower rates of incorrect orders, and higher employee satisfaction.
If you want to delve deeper into the economic analysis, you’ll find further insights in the article “Efficient Auto Repair Shop ERP Software.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every workshop need its own easypart account?
Yes, each business uses its own account on app.easypart.app. This ensures that each business has its own terms, suppliers, and settings.
Does the interface work with all car brands?
The interface uses the easypart database, which covers a wide range of popular car brands. For brand-specific original parts, additional integrations such as Partslink24 or Mercedes-Benz WebParts can be combined.
Can the interface also be used in the automotive retail sector?
Yes. The automotive retail sector also benefits, for example in the preparation of used vehicles, where parts are added directly to the preparation order.
What happens if easypart is unavailable?
CATAMA remains fully operational. Parts can still be entered manually as usual or searched for via alternative interfaces. The current status can be viewed in the CATAMA System Status.
Conclusion:
CATAMA, with its interface (API) to the easypart parts catalog, is not just a nice-to-have feature, but a direct driver of efficiency, data quality, and profit margins. It connects the central workshop software with a modern online parts search tool, creating a seamless process from order acceptance to invoicing. Workshops and dealerships save time, reduce errors, and can provide their customers with reliable quotes more quickly.
The next concrete steps:
- Review current processes: How much time is spent searching for parts today?
- Choose a CATAMA edition: Professional, Unlimited, or Enterprise—the right fit for your company's size.
- Get access to easypart: Set up an account at app.easypart.app.
- Enable the interface: You can enable the connection in the CATAMA system settings.
- Engage employees: Plan a brief training session so that their potential is harnessed from day one.
- Check for additional interfaces: effectively combine WMKat, Repdoc, Stakis, or Partslink24.
Any automotive business that takes digitalization seriously cannot do without integrated interfaces. Connecting to easypart is one of the most immediately noticeable building blocks—and a clear sign that modern workshop management doesn’t end with a wrench, but begins with data.
