LAS VEGAS – The future of the aftermarket electronic catalog will feature not only faster availability of an ever-growing set of replacement parts data, but also an array of sophisticated new market intelligence tools for use by distributors, jobbers and service dealers, according to Activant Solutions Inc.
Activant has announced that it is extending its suite of full-channel intelligence solutions to help aftermarket businesses identify and address emerging sales and service needs based on data derived from thousands of parts counters and service desks. At the center of this new capability are Activant’s industry leading replacement parts database and eCatalog solutions, which are used at nearly 30,000 automotive “decision points” across North America.
“The winners in most businesses are those who know the customer best,” said Tom Aliotti, senior vice president, automotive, Activant Solutions. “In the aftermarket that means having the information necessary to sell the right part at the right price and the right place and time. Thanks to the broad acceptance of Activant data and eCatalogs and the increased sophistication of our aftermarket data warehouse, we can now close the gap between what our customers believe they should carry and what their markets really need.”
Activant has already announced its agreement with R.L. Polk & Co. to offer Activant Vista Replacement Rate Intelligence solutions featuring vehicle data integrated with daily electronic catalog transactions. These solutions include the new Vista Catalog Coverage Monitor and Inventory Modeling tools, which will assist manufacturers in product planning and distributors in inventory optimization. These solutions will be available soon and can be viewed in both Activant’s 2009 AAPEX booth (#2035) and Polk’s booth (#838). Activant has also developed a variety of additional e-modeling tools that will help distributors generate more effective product assortments for each of their store locations. These assortments are based on the companies’ preferred brands and category management practices as well as the latest parts consumption trends by application and geographical location.
The same intelligence could be applied at the service level, where service writers and technicians could advise customers of emerging maintenance and repair needs associated with specific vehicle makes and models, according to Aliotti.
“In all cases, we will focus on delivering information to help drive sales and margin at the point of decision,” he said. “The distributor and jobber will be able to base their inventory choices on actual market behavior by application and part number. The counter professional and service dealer can add value to their customer relationships through an entirely new level of market insight. And this rapidly emerging capability will be built around an existing infrastructure featuring the industry’s most widely used parts database and eCatalog solutions.”
