The Challenge
DTA relied on manual extraction of used vehicle stock and pipeline data from an external vendor’s customer management system. Direct extraction was off the table, leaving them tethered to a single Power BI account for reports. This slow, error-prone process blocked organization-wide access to critical data, stalling efficiency and insights.
The Solution
- We initially pitched two options.
A Selenium-based web automation or a Power BI REST API integration. DTA leaned towards the API for scalability and security, kicking off the project in January 2025. Our Data Services, Data Lab, and Project Delivery teams rolled out the integration with these key functionalities.
Secure Authentication: Azure Active Directory with OAuth 2.0 or a service principal for tight access control.
Automated Report Identification & Export: Unique report IDs mapped to workspaces for targeted data pulls.
Scheduled Execution: Automated extractions to ditch manual work.
Secure Storage & File Management: Reports funneled to shared folders for compliance and ease.
Collaboration with DTA’s Infrastructure team in India was key as they held the Power BI and Databricks credentials. We developed a dummy dataset and dashboard to showcase functionality. As credentials arrived, switching to real data took just one day, thanks to pre-built pipelines.
DTA’s Japan team pivoted the approach midway, favoring extraction from an existing data mart over Power BI reports. We adapted fast, refining the solution to tap this richer, more accessible data source. A lean crew of a data analyst, one BI expert, and a project manager delivered this project in March of 2025.
Impact
With barriers lifted, DTA gained on-demand data flow for deeper analysis and better decisions. Key wins are as follows –
Estimated 70% reduction in manual efforts
Enhanced data accuracy with limited manual interventions
Instant organization-wide access to up-to-date insights
In a world where data drives decisions, DTA’s leap from manual extraction to automation proves the power of simple, scalable solutions. Our integration didn’t just solve a problem, it unlocked a new gear for efficiency and insight, paving the way for DTA to steer confidently into the future.
Daimler Truck Asia
About The Author
Ruhama Abedin
Analyst and Communication Manager
Ruhama Abedin is an Analyst and Communication Manager specializing in requirement analysis, solution validation, and stakeholder management. She’s previously worked as a strategist in market research and sustainable packaging industries in the UK. Ruhama holds a MA in business management from University of Nottingham and a BA in economics from Asian University of Women. She loves travelling to meet new people and explore their cultures.
