BETHESDA, Md. and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) have announced a new free website, www.AftermarketMatch.com, that allows automotive suppliers and their distribution channel partners to align and match their technology capabilities such as EDI document exchange, industry data standards and web services.
AftermarketMatch.com speeds the identification potential partners whose capabilities are aligned. Like a dating service for suppliers and channel partners, AftermarketMatch.com will save valuable time in the search for trading partners whose requirements are in synch with a company’s capabilities, the two associations say.
AftermarketMatch.com is a collaborative effort of AASA and AAIA and is powered by Pricedex Software. The free service requires that a user complete a short registration form and designate a person responsible for changes, with other users who have read-only privileges. Just as “friending” on Facebook works, the detailed e-commerce capabilities of one company cannot be seen by another unless they have mutually agreed to share information.
When trading partners agree to share information through AftermarketMatch.com, one can view the respective capabilities and requirements of the other for EDI documents and versions, including the EDI SuperSpec; industry data standards and versions of ACES and PIES, including the AWDA specification; and Web service standards such as IPO and i•SHOP. In the case of PIES, the specific field requirements are enumerated. AftermarketMatch.com is free and open to any company in the aftermarket to list its e-commerce capabilities and requirements.
“Automotive retailers, wholesalers and information companies would love to have one place to turn for accurate, timely and detailed information about the files, formats and fields that their suppliers can provide – AftermarketMatch.com is that place,” said Scott Luckett, AAIA chief information officer. “Like any directory, the more companies that list their information the greater the value of the service to everyone.”
“Several years ago, the AASA Technology Council envisioned and launched a way for suppliers to see the e-commerce requirements of their customers as a great service in focusing IT resources where they would do the most good,” said Chris Gardner, vice president, programs and member services, AASA. “Now, by collaborating with AAIA, we have completely revamped the service to deliver a greater value to suppliers, resellers and anyone wondering where to invest their resources for the greatest ROI.”
AftermarketMatch.com will be presented at the annual ATC Fall Conference, which takes place Oct. 14-16, in Marco Island, Fla., and will be in full production prior to AAPEX 2012. Anyone interested in listing with the site should register by completing the short form at www.aftermarketmatch.com.
