LAS VEGAS — Activant Solutions Inc. premiered Activant Vision, its next-generation distribution management system for automotive replacement parts distributors, at the 2005 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) last week.
Activant Vision is a new distribution management solution for large and mid-size distributors who want to leverage technology to drive sales, business efficiency and customer service. The Vision platform — acquired through Activant’s May 2005 purchase of the assets of The Systems House, Inc. — has been fully integrated in the latest, v7.3 release with Activant’s PartExpert electronic catalog and Cover-to-Cover graphical eCatalog module, as well as with AConneX, one of the largest Internet-based auto parts sourcing solutions in the industry.
“Activant Vision marks a major achievement for our company and the several distributors who are already using its powerful features to maximize their growth and efficiency,” said Tom Aliotti, vice president and general manager of Activant’s automotive group. “This exciting new solution empowers users at every level of an aftermarket enterprise, from the owner to the front-line sales professional, through vital information and exclusive tools that help drive customer service and sales and profitability.”
Vision features a powerful graphical user interface built around Microsoft .NET technology. The system’s centralized database and highly efficient workflow approach guides users through established best practices so customers can experience consistently exceptional service. According to Activant, the solution includes multi-location inventory and order management for store and warehouse operations, pricing tools and sales analysis, sales activity management and integrated customer relationship management (CRM) functions.
Activant Vision provides an interactive CRM tool that enables executives and counter professionals alike to focus on highest-yield opportunities and exceptional problem areas to ensure stronger, more profitable customer relationships.
The solution also leverages a variety of powerful new technologies, including wireless Internet, interface with mobile signature-capture devices and barcode scanning to simplify and streamline routine businesses processes, reduce paper and labor expenses and collect actionable competitive data.
Activant Vision’s graphical interface provides rich, visual information and rapid navigation so virtually any user can quickly and easily process routine and exceptional business transactions. In addition, it has an open architecture that supports exchange of data with other systems so distributors can more readily do business with outside trading partners.
“The competitive velocity of today’s aftermarket requires that distributors collect, analyze and act on market information on almost a real-time basis,” Aliotti said. “Vision provides visibility across all levels of an organization so the user can make not only faster, but smarter, decisions that can result in a true competitive advantage.”
_______________________________________
