DES MOINES, Iowa — Matco Tools is implementing the Virtual Inventory Cloud (VIC) solution from GCommerce.
Built on the Microsoft Azure platform, VIC enables automation of the special/drop-ship ordering process between distributors/retailers and manufacturers/suppliers, allowing both parties to capture sales opportunities and streamline a slow, manual process, according to GCommerce.
With VIC, information required to quote a special order can be captured in seconds, compared to the minutes, hours and sometimes days of delay in decentralized manual methods, says GCommerce.
“Special orders continue to increase due to the continuous expansion of part numbers, and the industry cannot afford to continue throwing people at a broken process,” said Steve Smith, president and CEO of GCommerce. “Our partnership with Matco Tools will lead to further improvements in VIC for the entire automotive aftermarket industry and others like it.”
According to GCommerce, Windows Azure and Microsoft SQL Azure enable VIC to be a more efficient trading system, capable of handling tens of millions of transactions per month for automotive part suppliers. GCommerce’s VIC implementation with support from Microsoft allows suppliers to create a large-scale virtual data warehouse that eliminates manual processes and leverages a technology-based automation system that empowers people, the company said. This platform is designed to work with existing special order solutions and technologies, and has potential to transform distribution supply chain transactions and management across numerous industries.
“VIC is a top line and bottom line solution for Matco and its suppliers, enabling both increased revenue opportunities and process cost savings. It’s all about speed and access to information,” said Mike Smith, VP Materials, Engineering and Quality of Matco Tools. “There is a growing concern around drop-ship special orders, which is why we are approaching the issue with a solution that fits the industry at large, as well as Matco individually.”
