STAUNTON, Va. – Federated Auto Parts is preparing to launch a new data warehouse solution that the group says will provide its suppliers better visibility while enabling member businesses to optimize category management practices, streamline marketing activities and help drive long-term sales growth.
Federated says the new Enhanced Supply Chain (ESC) solution also will assist Federated suppliers in demand forecasting and measuring, and improving the effectiveness of brand and product strategies.
The Federated ESC solution has been developed in collaboration with Epicor Software Corp. (formerly Activant Solutions Inc.), and will be deployed beginning in January 2012.
“The Federated Enhanced Supply Chain will help each member more fully leverage the benefits of our network’s impressive scale while managing and growing their businesses through highly effective, locally executed strategies,” said Rusty Bishop, Federated CEO. “This will be a very powerful new tool that will help our suppliers increase sales, enable us to save time, reduce operational complexity and enhance our competitiveness through world-class market intelligence.”
Among the key new capabilities that will be made possible through the Federated ESC solution are the management of national account programs, tracking and assessment of supplier and member marketing programs and promotions and the sharing of business intelligence among member businesses. Participating Federated suppliers will be able to leverage the solution to enhance production planning and develop highly targeted marketing programs that help maximize product sell-through.
Federated says it chose Epicor as its project partner for the solutions provider’s proven expertise in data warehouse technology for aftermarket businesses, as well as its ability to integrate the new solution into the disparate business management systems in use by Federated members.
“We are going well beyond the capabilities and bottom-line benefits of other existing data warehouse solutions,” said David Wesselman, chairman of Federated’s Purchasing Committee and president of longtime member KOI Auto Parts. “Store owners and the operators of Federated Car Care Centers will be able to utilize this solution to enhance their competitive strengths and uncover an array of new sales and service opportunities on an ongoing basis.”
“Federated has become one of the aftermarket’s fastest-growing distribution networks by helping members optimize their business practices and competitive strategies. The ESC solution will help significantly enhance the power of this approach by providing members with critical business intelligence at the right time and place,” said Paul Salsgiver, executive vice president and general manager of retail software for Epicor.
