The newest generation, utilizing JSON and RESTful APIs . It is designed to be lighter, simpler, and more secure for modern web and cloud-based integrations. Key Components of a Standard
CIECA (Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association) standards are the "common language" used by computer systems to communicate efficiently within the collision repair industry. They allow different businesses—like body shops, insurance companies, and parts suppliers—to exchange data seamlessly without needing to build custom software for every single partner. Core Standard Types cieca standards
Before these standards existed, the industry was fragmented. Different software providers used proprietary formats, making it difficult for a repair shop's management system to communicate with an insurer's estimating tool. By providing a common digital language, CIECA helps: The newest generation, utilizing JSON and RESTful APIs
CIECA solves this "Tower of Babel" problem by creating a rigid set of definitions. By adhering to CIECA standards, the estimating system packages the data in a specific file format (historically XML) that the insurance carrier’s system is programmed to receive and parse. This interoperability allows for the seamless electronic transfer of information, reducing manual entry and eliminating human error. By providing a common digital language, CIECA helps: