Fullbay, the turn-key platform that improves the operational efficiency of heavy-duty repair shops, is introducing Fullbay Marketplace, a comprehensive tool that streamlines the part-purchasing process for independent shops and fleet maintenance departments. This newest feature eliminates multiple steps related to ordering parts, saves significant time, maximizes searchability, and simplifies the vendor interface.
Fullbay Marketplace is an integrated parts-purchasing tool that allows shops to view part cost, availability, and shipping times across vendors and then perform a single-click order. Additionally, the system enables users to drill down on landed costs for each part, something shops struggle to do without an automated system.
“Our team is constantly listening to and learning from our customers, and a consistent observation we’ve made is that the traditional parts-ordering process is unnecessarily complicated and archaic,” said Jacob Findlay, co-founder and CEO of Fullbay. “We are excited to get Fullbay Marketplace into the industry to solve this pervasive legacy problem and help customers become faster and more productive.”
The Fullbay Marketplace module, which is free to all Fullbay customers, is being launched with FinditParts as its first integrated parts vendor.
“FinditParts is excited to partner with Fullbay to provide immediate, real-time access to more than 1,100 brands, 10 million part numbers, and $6 billion in heavy truck parts inventory,” said David Seewack, founder and CEO of FinditParts. “We’re confident this partnership will improve the efficiency of those who work in the heavy-duty repair and maintenance fields by increasing fill rates and reducing vehicle downtime due to part sourcing challenges.”
Traditionally, the part-ordering process can require a large number of steps, such as:
- Contacting a preferred parts vendor with part number for pricing
- If the preferred vendor is out of stock, contacting a second and/or third parts vendor to locate the part
- Conducting a parts cross-reference if the first part choice is unavailable to locate suitable alternatives
- Ordering the part from a vendor when it is finally located
- Providing the vendor with a purchase order number
- Requesting the arrival time or date of the shipment
- Upon arrival, completing a three-way match to check the purchase order against the vendor invoice and the part
- Confirming the part is logged in the inventory system
- Updating the purchase orders and ensuring accuracy of accounting
- Marking up parts appropriately and add to the customer’s service order
With Fullbay Marketplace, inventories, shipping times and costs are available in real time, 24 hours a day, and order logs, payment details and tracking are generated and stored automatically. Invoices are eliminated because parts are purchased using the credit card on file within the secure Fullbay system.
“Using Fullbay Marketplace, the entire ordering process, cross-referencing, and part search is accomplished in three steps: search; select; order!” added Fullbay’s Findlay.
On October 26, Fullbay and FinditParts will conduct a webinar to provide background and best practices on overcoming the current parts shortage, including how Fullbay Marketplace can help. Those interested in attending may register here. Additional information about Fullbay Marketplace can be found here and here.
