BETHESDA, Md. – The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has announced its support of the “Super Spec” as the industry best practice for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) documents within the automotive aftermarket.
The Super Spec combines the requirements of multiple trading partners into one specification, and creates standardized data definitions within the data fields. With full implementation of the Super Spec, a company can do the setup work once, and re-use the map for all of its aftermarket trading partners.
In close cooperation with AAIA, the Super Spec was developed, maintained and donated by Gcommerce Inc., and is overseen by a committee of AAIA manufacturers, distributors and technology providers. The Super Spec is an open specification available free to any party.
"At AAIA, we believe that broad adoption of information technology and electronic business processes are essential to success in the aftermarket supply chain," said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. "The contribution and cooperation of GCommerce will surely raise all ships and lower the barriers to enter into the world of electronic document exchange."
In traditional EDI, each trading relationship is set up on a one-to-one basis. Different trading partners have different data requirements and specifications, which requires the support of multiple maps and data definitions for each trading partner. In other words, there is a unique map for each buyer/seller relationship, and the work starts over with each new trading partner connection.
"Creating the Super Spec allowed GCommerce to drive greater purchasing efficiencies in the automotive aftermarket supply chain," added Steve Smith, president, GCommerce Inc. "Donating the Super Spec to AAIA puts the Super Spec in the hands of the users, allowing them to shape its future direction and accelerate the rate of adoption. The results of the Super Spec speak for themselves: the power of many, in alignment can accomplish great things for his industry."
For additional information on the Super Spec, as well as case studies from companies that are benefiting from its use, visit www.aftermarket.org/technology/super-spec.
