AUSTIN, TEXAS — Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance is currently conducting a pilot study of Activant Catalyst, a new eCatalog designed to revolutionize the parts selling process. Catalyst, which debuted in a Web-based version during this month’s Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo in Las Vegas, was developed by Activant Solutions Inc.
The Alliance, with 56 independent distributor members serving more than 4,000 auto parts stores and 2,000 service centers, has been integrating Activant Catalyst – Web Version into each of its locations over the past four months.
According to Activant, Catalyst includes exclusive next generation eCat tools – including true “cover-to-cover” content such as detailed product images, specifications, technical service bulletins, warranty information and manufacturer Web links – to help maximize the efficiency and accuracy of counter sales personnel.
Alliance President and CEO Dick Morgan said the Alliance will leverage Catalyst to strengthen its relationship with its customers.
“Our shareholders embrace technologies that deliver a proven competitive advantage,” Morgan said. “We believe we can leverage a better, faster, smarter and more timely eCatalog to strengthen the relationship between our parts professionals and their commercial and retail customers.”
The first release of Activant Catalyst is a standalone Web version designed to help distributors transform the way they serve their customers. Its browser interface was designed to facilitate faster lookups and allows the user to define a vast array of display preferences. The result is a more accurate, highly efficient selling process that helps minimize returns, said Activant.
Activant also has introduced a separate next generation product for its PartExpert, LaserCat and ShopCat eCatalog users; that product, Activant Cover-to-Cover, enables users to access additional manufacturer information such as images, TSBs and product specs directly from their Activant catalog.
“The Alliance is the ideal partner for a product roll-out of this scope,” said Activant President of Automotive Pervez Qureshi. “Their shareholders have a strong vision of the value of important new technologies, and they expect solid results. We’re confident Catalyst will enable our customers to improve efficiencies at the counter and deliver higher levels of customer service.”
The Activant Catalyst-Web Version pilot is the second major technology demonstration conducted by the two companies: The Alliance was the first aftermarket distribution enterprise to embrace Activant’s leading-edge data warehouse capabilities. That collaboration, launched in 1997, continues today with more than 92 percent of Alliance sales data captured and analyzed daily to help members make faster, smarter stocking decisions and strengthen vendor relationships.
For more information, visit: www.activant.com.
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