Automotive Data Sync & Scraping Platform
Challenge
An automotive company needed to manage and sync large volumes of product data covering cars, tyres, and rims into their database, while simultaneously keeping tabs on competitor pricing and market trends through web scraping. On top of that, they needed new functionality added to their existing website without anyone on the 8Seneca team having access to the client's source code.
The additional constraint was deployment: the client's internal team had limited technical knowledge, meaning whatever was built had to be operable by non-technical staff without relying on developers for every update or rollout.
An automotive company needed to manage and sync large volumes of product data covering cars, tyres, and rims into their database, while simultaneously keeping tabs on competitor pricing and market trends through web scraping. On top of that, they needed new functionality added to their existing website without anyone on the 8Seneca team having access to the client's source code.
The additional constraint was deployment: the client's internal team had limited technical knowledge, meaning whatever was built had to be operable by non-technical staff without relying on developers for every update or rollout.
Solution
8Seneca built a four-part system tailored to each of the client's core needs.
For data sync, the team developed a Laravel-based engine using queue workers and batch jobs for fast, incremental updates. Delta sync logic kept server load minimal, and an indexed database structure ensured performance held up under large datasets.
For web scraping, Apify Actors were combined with custom scripts to handle a wide range of target sites. Jobs were scheduled via Laravel Scheduler and outputs were post-processed into clean, normalized data ready for direct database import.
For the website, standalone Vue.js modules were built — including a Tyre Finder and Rim Selector — that could be dropped into the existing site with nothing more than a script tag and a config file. No access to the client's codebase was needed. The modules communicated through secure APIs, kept business logic fully decoupled, and supported full theme customization via CSS variables.
For deployment, everything was packaged with Docker and a Laravel Installer, accompanied by video walkthroughs and documentation designed specifically for teams with no DevOps background.
8Seneca built a four-part system tailored to each of the client's core needs.
For data sync, the team developed a Laravel-based engine using queue workers and batch jobs for fast, incremental updates. Delta sync logic kept server load minimal, and an indexed database structure ensured performance held up under large datasets.
For web scraping, Apify Actors were combined with custom scripts to handle a wide range of target sites. Jobs were scheduled via Laravel Scheduler and outputs were post-processed into clean, normalized data ready for direct database import.
For the website, standalone Vue.js modules were built — including a Tyre Finder and Rim Selector — that could be dropped into the existing site with nothing more than a script tag and a config file. No access to the client's codebase was needed. The modules communicated through secure APIs, kept business logic fully decoupled, and supported full theme customization via CSS variables.
For deployment, everything was packaged with Docker and a Laravel Installer, accompanied by video walkthroughs and documentation designed specifically for teams with no DevOps background.
Results
The data sync ran with near-zero impact on the client's existing systems. Market data collection time dropped by over 70%, freeing the team from manual research and monitoring. Modular components rolled out quickly across multiple sites, and the client has since moved to expand the platform to additional regions and data types — a strong signal that the solution delivered well beyond the initial scope.
The project also demonstrated 8Seneca's ability to work directly with clients without a PM layer, navigate unclear initial specs through iterative demos and workshops, and deliver tools accessible to non-technical teams without sacrificing quality.
The data sync ran with near-zero impact on the client's existing systems. Market data collection time dropped by over 70%, freeing the team from manual research and monitoring. Modular components rolled out quickly across multiple sites, and the client has since moved to expand the platform to additional regions and data types — a strong signal that the solution delivered well beyond the initial scope.
The project also demonstrated 8Seneca's ability to work directly with clients without a PM layer, navigate unclear initial specs through iterative demos and workshops, and deliver tools accessible to non-technical teams without sacrificing quality.