BETHESDA, Md. – Steve Smith, president and CEO of GCommerce Inc., and Max Buchanan, director of sales, heavy duty and automotive for Datalliance, will discuss Internet data exchange and vendor managed inventory collaboration at the Virtual Aftermarket eForum on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
 
Smith will explain how automated purchasing over the Internet can transform your business and not break your pocketbook. In his presentation, “Internet Data Exchange: Pointing EDI in the Right Direction,” Smith will discuss a new approach to unlocking the ROI and business improvements that can be found in automating document exchange over the Internet. Smith has more 20 years of experience in global supply chain management. His presentation will conclude with a live audience Q&A session.
 
Buchanan will present “Collaborating to Optimize Your Inventory Results,” during which he will explain that in other industries, suppliers and distributors routinely collaborate on inventory optimization for increased sales and turns along with reduced lost sales. Buchanan will explore the risks and rewards of collaborative and vendor-managed inventory practices, and cite the ROI and business benefits realized by those who practice collaborative inventory planning. Buchanan has spoken at numerous heavy duty events and works with dozens of companies to help them improve their inventory efficiency and reduce their supply chain costs.
 
These presentations are just part of the complete Virtual Aftermarket eForum, which you can attend without leaving your home or office. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the full day will include these live presentations, discussions, networking and vendor trade show. The entire program will be available on-demand for six months after the live event.
 
The Virtual Aftermarket eForum is produced by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). All proceeds benefit the industry's "Be Car Care Aware" campaign. Activant and Autologue are gold sponsors for the 2009 eForum.

Registration is open www.aftermarketeforum.com, where visitors will find the agenda, speaker profiles and other information. The cost of registration is $95 after early-bird and association membership discounts, and attendees earn 0.4 CEU credits toward the AAP or MAAP from the University of the Aftermarket.