RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Representatives of O’Reilly Auto Parts and K&N Filters will discuss the suppliers’ award-winning data delivery program at the Fall Conference of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Technology Council (ATC) on Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Marco Island, Fla.
O’Reilly recognized K&N as its top vendor earlier this year for consistently providing high-quality electronic applications data. David P. Ortega, O’Reilly’s director of electronic catalog systems, will discuss the creation of the award, the importance of the rich product content, and how and where the information is deployed, including online applications. Tim Martin, K&N vice president, will discuss how and why his company implemented the product data, rich content, and automated push technology required to meet O’Reilly’s requirements.
The ATC Fall Conference 2012 is set for Sunday, Oct. 14, through Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Marco Island Marriott, Marco Island, Fla. This year’s event is focused on the theme: “Intersection of Business & Technology.”
“Technology is strategic for suppliers as almost every critical area depends on or is based on computer technology,” said Chris Gardner, AASA vice president. “The annual Fall Conference is the only event in our industry focused on the needs of aftermarket supplier technology professionals and their channel partners. A perfect example of the utilization of technology to enhance supplier-customer relationships is data delivery between K&N and O’Reilly, and we look forward to learning how this works in October.”
The event is designed for professionals working at automotive aftermarket suppliers responsible for their company’s customer service, business support, e-commerce, information services, cataloging, forecasting, supply chain, EDI, IT/IS and Web services.
Other confirmed speakers and presentations at the ATC Fall Conference include:
•“Aftermarket IT Spend and Trends,” Paul McCarthy, AASA vice president, industry analysis, planning and member services
•“Aftermarket Insights & the Industry’s Need for Increased Technology,” Bill Long, AASA executive vice president
•Heavy Duty Breakout Session which will include “Leveraging VMRS Codes,” presented by Dave Reed, Arsenault Associates, and presentations on “State of EDI in the Heavy Duty Segment” and “Understanding Commercial Vehicle Configurations”
Aftermarket Breakout Sessions:
•“Global Vehicle Platforms and the Need for Global Data,” David Winter, TecDoc
•“Channel Visibility: Accessing and Utilizing POS Data,” Jan Zieve, Epicor
•“Technology – Enabled Touch Points with Service Professionals,- Stephen Sigg, ACDelco
•Channel Partner Spotlight
•“eBay and WHI: Strange Bedfellows or Aftermarket Synergies?” Bryan Murphy, managing director – WHI Solutions and senior director – eBay
•Mobile Devices & Apps Panel: Opportunities & Pitfalls
•“Make the CEO Happy – Harmonizing IT & Marketing,” Jeff Peake, Abundance Analytics, and Hubert Sawyers, MontAd
For more information on the conference agenda, click here.
