TAMPA, Fla. – During the opening address at the National Catalog Managers Association (NCMA) Knowledge Exchange conference, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) unveiled a new Web page that presents the status of the leading data receivers in the aftermarket relative to the major technology standards. The Standards Compliance Roadmap indicates whether an industry standard, such as ACES or PIES, is required, preferred, supported or under development by the leading automotive resellers.

The NCMA conference began May 3 and concluded yesterday at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay in Tampa Bay, Fla. In his address at the 35th annual NCMA Knowledge Exchange conference, Scott Luckett, AAIA vice president, technology standards and solutions, described the challenge that some suppliers have in getting a clear picture of their customers’ data and e-commerce requirements.

"Catalog and product content professionals tell us that getting funding and staffing resources to take on standards compliance projects is the leading obstacle to adoption," Luckett said. "The roadmap will give the management of these companies a view of what standards their leading customers support, at a glance."

The Web page is freely available from the Standards and Technology section of the AAIA Web site at www.aftermarket.org. In addition to Activant and WHI Solutions, the Standards Compliance Roadmap reflects the status of Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, CARQUEST, CSK Auto, NAPA and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Other data receivers are welcome to submit their information for addition to the roadmap. The standards that are the subject of this guide are the Aftermarket Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES), the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES), Internet Parts Ordering (IPO), the PARTnerShip Network and the Product Imaging Best Practices.

"When suppliers can see, at a glance, the number of large customers they have supporting, or even requiring, a particular standard or technology, they will be better able to justify the investment and measure the ROI in modernizing their practices and adopting the industry standards," said Luckett. "The roadmap is intended to take the mystery out of whether a standards initiative is warranted or justified."