Activant Buys The Systems House
Activant Solutions has acquired substantially all of the assets of The Systems House, Inc., a technology solutions provider for distributors primarily in the automotive aftermarket and office products industries. The acquisition will provide next-generation technology for Activant’s customers in the automotive aftermarket and wholesale distribution industries, key vertical segments in Activant’s vision for growth.
MEMA Technology Conference to Showcase Best Aftermarket Extranet Applications
This October, three of the aftermarket’s top extranet Web applications will compete to be named the winner of the 2005 Aftermarket Web Challenge. Sponsored by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Information Services Council (MIS Council), the Aftermarket Web Challenge is the automotive aftermarket’s oldest and most recognized award. The annual contest is held in conjunction with the organization’s annual Fall Conference. According to the MIS Council, the aftermarket has witnessed a surge in the development of extranets by manufacturers in recent years. Due to the increasing development of corporate extranets, the 2005 Aftermarket Web Challenge will focus on these Web applications that connect manufacturers with their customers.
Automotive Distribution Network Selects Wrenchead’s Next Generation Warehouse and Store Solutions
Wrenchead, Inc., a provider of distribution management, electronic catalog and e-business solutions, announced that the Automotive Distribution Network (the recently merged program group formed by IAPA and Parts Plus) has selected Wrenchead to provide its members with Wrenchead’s next generation warehouse and store solutions. The product will be called Network Connect and will be made available to all Network members.
Executive Interview: Bill Maggs and Michael Mitchell Talk About the Recent Merger of Pronto and RPM
Following on the heels of RPM Group’s merger with Pronto, Mitchell and Maggs sat down for a phone interview with aftermarketNews. The two men gave us the scoop on what changes are on the horizon for the newly merged group as well as their thoughts on the future of programmed distribution.
Executive Interview: Bill Maggs and Michael Mitchell Talk About the Recent Merger of Pronto and RPM
Following on the heels of RPM Group’s merger with Pronto, Mike Mitchell and Bill Maggs sat down for a phone interview with aftermarketNews. The two men gave us the scoop on what changes are on the horizon for the newly merged group as well as their thoughts on the future of programmed distribution.
Executive Interview: Bill Maggs and Michael Mitchell Talk About the Recent Merger of Pronto and RPM
Following on the heels of RPM Group’s merger with Pronto, Mike Mitchell and Bill Maggs sat down for a phone interview with aftermarketNews. The two men gave us the scoop on what changes are on the horizon for the newly merged group as well as their thoughts on the future of programmed distribution.
Supplier Enablement Initiative Launched By MEMA
The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has announced a new initiative to help aftermarket manufacturers take advantage of existing e-commerce assets by enabling their suppliers to electronically exchange business document transactions. MEMA’s commercial division, the Management Information Systems Group, Inc. (MISG) developed a Web application, TransLink WebDX, to help eliminate the faxing, mailing and calling of orders.
Version 1.9 of PARTnerShip Network Software Released
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has released version 1.9 of the PARTnerShip Network software. This new version contains a number of enhancements and two new features: support for Internet Parts Ordering (IPO) and a request for data in the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES) format.
Aftermarket eForum Set for July 19-21
The 2005 Aftermarket eForum, “Solutions Today for Tomorrow’s Technology Challenges,” will be held July 19-21 in Chicago. The two-and-a-half day event will feature expert presentations and panels, breakout sessions and a vendor show, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), which created the e-commerce educational forum in 2000.
BREAKING NEWS: Pronto, RPM Group Announce Merger
Two of the aftermarket’s programmed distribution groups — National Pronto Association and The RPM Group — today announced plans to merge. This is the second merger among program groups in as many months. In mid-January 2005, Parts Plus and IAPA announced their plans to join forces.