What Real Time Communications does

Real Time Communications (RTC) is a UK-based B2B SaaS provider, headquartered in Wokingham with a Bury office, specialising in automotive aftersales software for dealer groups, retailers, and OEMs. Founded around 2000–2001 and operating as a subsidiary of CitNOW Group since 2022, it builds an integrated platform spanning electronic vehicle health checks (eVHC), workshop management, online service booking, online check-in, and a business intelligence layer (REALinsights, rebranded to CitNOW Insights in May 2024).

The product surface is anchored in workshop-floor workflow tools that digitise technician inspections, service advisor handovers, and customer-facing booking/check-in journeys, complemented by BI that aggregates aftersales performance across dealer rooftops. The platform integrates with major industry systems including Keyloop/DMS, Auto Trader, HPI, Tjekvik, and Epyx, and has extended into AI-assisted personalised marketing through CitNOW Marketing360, a partnership product built on Salesforce Marketing Cloud.

RTC generates revenue through a combination of subscription and per-rooftop licensing for the core aftersales platform, implementation and configuration services for new dealer rollouts, and ongoing support contracts. Customer evidence points to an enterprise-led go-to-market targeting large UK dealer groups such as Chorley Group, Inchcape UK, Lookers, Sinclair Group, and Group 1 (BMW), with distribution leverage provided by parent CitNOW Group's reach across 11,000+ dealerships globally.

Name

Real Time Communications

Legal name

Real Time Communications Ltd

Website

https://rtcauto.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Real Time Communications is a UK-based B2B SaaS provider of automotive aftersales software — including eVHC, workshop management, online booking, and BI — serving enterprise dealer groups and OEMs as a subsidiary of CitNOW Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

Revenue model

1. Software Subscription / Licensing: RTC generates revenue through software subscriptions and licensing fees for their integrated aftersales platform. The solution is configured and deployed to individual dealership locations or groups, with pricing based on deployment scope, number of locations, and feature modules selected. Annual or multi-year contract structures are implied by renewal discussions and account management processes.
2. Implementation & Training Services: Revenue is generated through professional services including implementation, configuration, on-site training, and deployment support. The company employs dedicated Implementation Project Teams and provides comprehensive onboarding programs, suggesting implementation fees as a revenue component.
3. Ongoing Support & Account Management: Post-deployment revenue streams include dedicated Account Management services, ongoing support, and access to new features and updates within the platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Real Time Communications (RTC) develops and supplies software solutions for automotive aftersales operations, including the RTC Aftersales platform encompassing electronic Vehicle Health Check (eVHC), Workshop Management, Online Service Booking, Online Check-In, and business intelligence tools

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RTC Aftersales: Complete aftersales solution including service booking, eVHC, workshop management, and digital customer interactions.
• REALinsights
• REALaftersales+

Quantifiable outcome

• Technician efficiency increases by over 8% with fully digital aftersales processes
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• CitNOW GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Parent company acquisition. Real Time Communications became part of the CitNOW Group in 2022. This strategic acquisition expanded the CitNOW ecosystem of specialist automotive software solutions to include comprehensive aftersales management capabilities. RTC operates as a brand within the CitNOW Group, with shared technology integration (CitNOW Insights, CitNOW Triage, CitNOW Workshop) and combined go-to-market activities at industry events.
• TjekvikcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital check-in integration partner. Tjekvik terminals integrate with RTC aftersales software, enabling seamless digital customer check-in at dealership reception. Customers can check in via terminals or online, with selections and job status updated instantly in RTC systems. Implementation case studies demonstrate successful deployment at BMW Borehamwood (Group 1) and other locations.
• Epyx (1Link Service Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationFleet booking integration partnership. The integration between Epyx's 1Link Service Network platform and RTC's dealer software enables fleet operators to self-service workshop bookings directly into dealership diaries. Drivers can view available slots and book appointments in real-time, reducing booking process from hours to minutes.
• SalesforcestrategicTechnology or IntegrationStrategic technology partnership for Marketing360 platform development. CitNOW Marketing360 was developed in partnership with Salesforce as an advanced marketing automation platform specifically designed for automotive retail. The platform enables customers to connect data across systems, deliver personalized customer journeys, and achieve measurable ROI.
• KeyloopcoreTechnology or IntegrationDealer Management System (DMS) integration partner. Keyloop provides automotive retail technology solutions, and RTC integrates with their systems to enable seamless data flow between dealer management and aftersales workflow processes.
• Auto TradercoreTechnology or IntegrationData partnership for business intelligence and stock optimization. RTC's REALinsights platform connects with Auto Trader's dataset of millions of used vehicles to provide real-time market data, pricing strategy tools, and competitive benchmarking for dealers.
• CitNOW InsightscoreTechnology or IntegrationFormerly REALinsights, this is the company's own business intelligence solution that evolved and rebranded to align with the CitNOW Group product family. Provides automotive-specific BI and reporting capabilities.
• CitNOW TriagecoreTechnology or IntegrationCitNOW Group product integration within the aftersales ecosystem. CitNOW Triage provides triage and workflow optimization capabilities as part of the integrated dealer solution.
• CitNOW WorkshopcoreTechnology or IntegrationCitNOW Group product integration providing workshop-specific video and communication capabilities within the broader aftersales management platform.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CDK Global: Global provider of dealership management systems and integrated aftersales software for franchised automotive retailers. Directly comparable to RTC because it serves the same franchised dealer customer base with overlapping eVHC, workshop management, and dealer BI capabilities, typically at much larger scale.
• Reynolds and Reynolds: US-headquartered provider of dealership management systems and retailing solutions for franchised automotive dealers. Directly comparable to RTC as a DMS-centric vendor that has expanded into digital workflow, eVHC, and aftersales process automation for the same franchised dealer segment.
• Pinewood Technologies: UK-based cloud DMS and dealer software provider serving franchised retailers. Direct competitor to RTC within the UK franchised dealer market, with overlapping aftersales and workshop management functionality and a comparable UK enterprise sales motion.
• DealerSocket (Solera): Dealer CRM, DMS, and digital marketing platform for franchised and independent dealers, now part of Solera. Directly comparable to RTC for its dealer CRM, desking, and aftersales workflow tools targeting similar franchised retail customers in North America and the UK.
• Workshop Software: Cloud workshop management platform for mechanical workshops and service centres. Directly comparable to RTC's Workshop Management module for the trade and independent workshop segment, with overlapping job card, quoting, and customer communication functionality.
• eDynamix: UK provider of automotive retailer software including enquiry management, digital retailing, and aftersales tools. Direct UK competitor to RTC, serving the same franchised dealer customer base with overlapping online enquiry, service booking, and digital workflow capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Cox Automotive: Diversified automotive retail technology provider (Manheim, AutoTrader, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book) offering broad dealer software suites including DMS and aftersales. Overlaps with RTC's dealer BI and aftersales offerings within a much larger product portfolio, and was a previous employer of RTC's Chief Product Officer.
• Keyloop: Global dealer management system provider (formed from the merger of CDK's international and Reynolds UK businesses). Both a DMS integration partner and a broader competitive incumbent whose bundled platform overlaps with RTC's aftersales and CRM-adjacent functionality for franchised dealers.

Emerging players

• Tjekvik: Provider of digital self-service check-in and service booking kiosks for automotive retailers. Both a technology integration partner of RTC and a partial competitor in the customer-facing digital check-in and online booking workflow that RTC's Online Check-In module addresses.
• Epyx (1Link Service Network): Fleet management and service booking platform whose 1Link Service Network integrates with RTC to enable fleet workshop bookings. Adjacent competitor in the fleet-to-dealer service scheduling workflow that overlaps with RTC's online booking and workshop management capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rtcautomotivesolutions
• Xx.com/RTCAutomotiveUK

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Real Time Communications