RALEIGH, N.C. – General Parts Inc. (GPI) announced late last week that it is now accepting only valid AAIA standard ACES 2.0 and PIES 6.1.1 or later data from its suppliers before it can be entered into its proprietary Product Data Management System (PDMS).
John Christie, GPI vice president of eServices, stated, “We see an incredible opportunity for increasing sales while at the same time improving our product presentation, by accepting only industry standardized data for our new PDMS system. Receiving standardized data from all of our supply chain partners is vital to our mutual success. It positions GPI to continue being a leader in cost, quality and service.”
GPI chose Illumaware LLC, an electronic catalog solution provider from nearby Wake Forest, N.C., for an exclusive contract to use its Evokat software as an ACES and PIES validation tool for nearly 200 companies in GPI’s supply chain. Each supplier’s data must pass validation before being entered into the PDMS system. ACES and PIES validation is performed twice a year to ensure the ongoing integrity of GPI’s PDMS system and their suppliers’ data. When asked why GPI chose Illumaware, Christie responded, “Because they are a proven partner with whom we have negotiated attractive rates for our suppliers that need help becoming compliant for ACES and PIES requirements.”
Non-compliant suppliers will be given an opportunity by GPI to resubmit their data to Illumaware for a second validation. GPI recently sent out a letter to its supply chain recommending Illumaware’s data management services to any supplier that has difficulty becoming and staying compliant with the latest ACES and PIES standards.
Bruce Speicher, Illumaware’s managing partner added, “Historically, product information and application data speed-to-market has been a critical stumbling block to increasing sales in the aftermarket. Evokat 2.5 is an online platform that feeds GPI’s Supplier Utilities Portal in real time, enabling GPI vendors to bring their products to market in minutes rather than months.”
