Bosch plans takeover of LAWA Solutions; cloud-based software platforms in the automotive industry
05 February 2019
Bosch Service Solutions is planning the takeover of start-up LAWA Solutions based in Giessen. LAWA Solutions GmbH, which was founded in 2009, specializes in cloud-based software products in the automotive industry.
LAWA’s highly scalable solutions are used by automobile clubs, breakdown services, recovery companies and workshops, for example.
The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the company with around ten associates. The transaction is subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities.
Those who had a breakdown in the past often had to wait for hours and were badly informed during the waiting period. Those who have a breakdown today can use a smartphone to access digital services after calling the breakdown service and get more transparency about the status of the roadside assistance.
Bosch uses technology embedded in the vehicle as part of its service. When a driver reports a malfunction, he/she can send important data from the car simultaneously - such as location, vehicle type and error code. On this basis, the associated digital platform automatically connects to suitable breakdown service providers in the immediate vicinity. The orders are awarded to those partners who respond to the relevant request first and can send a service employee within minutes. At this point, the driver receives a notification on his/her smartphone and can track the arrival of the breakdown service digitally.
With the acquisition of LAWA Solutions, the last process steps in the value chain are digitalized. The start-up brings with it an independent, cloud-based end-to-end platform for recovery companies. From case acceptance to regulation: the necessary repair is digitally documented and can be invoiced to the breakdown service provider within a short time. A process that can normally take several weeks is therefore completed in just a few hours. In addition, it simplifies and accelerates processing and provides more transparency for service technicians, insurance companies, automobile clubs, recovery companies and workshops.
Combined with other services, such as the Concierge Service, the driver can also find a nearby hotel or rental car provider, for example, or bridge the time until the roadside assistant arrives with digital waiting time offers. This provides for all-round digital utilization of the service.
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