OptiCat, a leading supplier of data services for the automotive, heavy-duty aftermarkets and other markets, has introduced a powerful new solution that helps parts and accessories suppliers and distributors communicate distributor-specific custom data fields easily and efficiently.

The new OptiCat product is called “Load Sheets,” which is designed to simplify the process for suppliers to deliver unique new item setup data and other information to individual data receivers, based on their custom needs. More specifically, Load Sheets addresses the needs of distributors who require product information that is not accommodated by the industry standard Auto Care Association PIES data fields. This new product is ideal for securely handling unique data fields and types such as internal product line codes, distributor specific pricing, unique country codes, direct ship information, buyer designations and others. Literally any type of unique product information can be securely shared between suppliers and distributors using Load Sheets, and distributors can also use Load Sheets for their own internal and external secure communications of information, said the company.

The new Load Sheets tool is fully integrated into OptiCat’s OnBoard Pro and OnDemand portals as a high-value, fee based additional service. It also includes automated communications of changes and can include data validation based on the distributor’s custom specifications. This means that once the supplier sets up the specific data formats needed by each data receiver in the OnBoard Pro system and populates the information fields, given any custom validation needed, the data will be automatically distributed individually to the supplier’s data receivers in one convenient action. And, since the data is resident in the OnBoard Pro system, it is always available for reference when the data receiver requires new information or fields, or the supplier desires to make changes. The flexibility and simplicity of this system coupled with the reliability, simplicity and speed-to-market of the OnBoard Pro system makes this a revolutionary solution for suppliers in meeting their customers’ unique data needs.