Aftermarket Technology Breakthroughs to be Announced at eForum
The Aftermarket eForum, which takes place August 2-4, in Chicago, once again will be the scene of news and announcements in the fields of information technology, e-commerce and e-marketing. Leaders from a number of major companies will share how they have improved profit and performance by applying technology to their business challenges at the Aftermarket eForum. Register today and take $200 off the fee of $895 for members and $1,095 for non-members.
DST Asks: How Do You View the Industry and Your Career?
Every automobile in every dealer’s showroom in America displays an EPA fuel economy ratings sticker. The ratings are estimates developed by the automakers after testing a limited number of pre-production vehicles. The EPA then verifies the results on roughly 10 to 15 percent of the vehicles produced for that year. The tests, repeated the same way each time in a controlled environment, are the same for all autos and are supposed to simulate city and highway driving conditions. They can’t – and don’t – reflect the conditions under which every vehicle is driven; nor do they reflect the maintenance condition, type of fuel used, or – perhaps most importantly-the variety of driving styles that we all see everyday on the streets. What do mileage ratings and driving styles have to do with your aftermarket career? Plenty.
Register Now to Save $200 on the Aftermarket eForum
The early bird registration deadline for the Aftermarket eForum is June 30. Register today and take $200 off the fee of $895 for members and $1095 for non-members. The Aftermarket eForum will be held August 2-4 in Chicago. The Aftermarket eForum is the aftermarket industry’s largest educational conference devoted to e-commerce and supply chain technology solutions.
DST Asks: Parts Distributors — Do Your Customers Order Parts Online?
Help Wanted – Parts Counterman, Requirements: Must be willing to work 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. Understands and has committed to memory a world-class multi-line parts catalog. Always knows correct pricing of each item. Processes parts orders in nanoseconds. Never puts customers on hold. Works for electricity – no salary or extra benefits. Any bets on how many responses you’ll get to that classified ad? Selling auto parts would be a lot easier and less costly if you could make those kinds of hires. Actually, it turns out that such resources are available today, just not human resources, the kind we would advertise for in the local paper. Instead, we might call them “cyber-employees” – a new species that forms the backbone of e-business and works in the world of browser-based technology on the Internet.
Aftermarket eForum Early-Bird Registration Deadline Extended
The Early Bird registration deadline for the Aftermarket eForum, which will take place on Monday, Aug. 2, through Wednesday, Aug. 4 in Chicago has been extended to Wednesday, June 30. The eForum agenda includes presentations on data warehousing, product data synchronization; e-commerce for small business; modern shop technology; paperless warehouse operation, forecasting and inventory planning, plus much more.
DST Asks: Does Your Computer Business System Help You Manage Inventory Consigned to Customers?
“The only way you could ever do business with me is if you gave me your product for free.” Somewhere along the line, a supplier frustrated in his inability to convince a retailer to carry a product line heard that rejection for the umpteenth time and finally decided to take the retailer up on it…literally. He thought, “Why not give him our product for free?” The concept of vendor consigned inventory was born.
Aftermarket Web Competition to be Held at Upcoming MEMA Technology Conference
The MEMA Information Services Council Board of Directors has announced a call for applications to the annual Aftermarket Web Challenge. The Aftermarket Web Challenge is the automotive aftermarket’s oldest and most recognized award for Web application excellence. It is sponsored by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Information Services Council (MIS Council) and is held in conjunction with the organization’s annual Fall Conference.
Tap Into Technology Solutions at Aftermarket eForum 2004
Make your plans now to attend the 2004 Aftermarket eForum — Solutions Today for Tomorrow’s Technology Challenges, scheduled to take place August 2-4 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Ill. Aftermarket eForum, supported by University of the Aftermarket, is the only conference focused exclusively focused on the automotive aftermarket. Building on the success of the past three years, the 2004 eForum will feature an expanded format that includes breakout sessions and a full vendor trade show. Topics will include data synchronization, paperless warehouse operation, automated replenishment, data mining and e-commerce for small business.
Activant Reports Successful Launch of New Jobber Management System Product
Activant Solutions recently launched a new Windows-based Jobber Management System (JMS) designed for small and mid-sized auto parts distributors. According to Jonathan Gear, vice president of marketing for Activant, the new JMS system can serve as a replacement for older (CCITRIAD) systems such as Series 12 or Loadstar.
MEMA’s Information Services Council Creates Forum for Aftermarket IT Professionals
This fall, an assembly of aftermarket information technology (IT) and information services (IS) professionals will meet in southwest Florida to discuss key IT and e-commerce issues affecting the aftermarket. Hosted by MEMA’s Information Services Council (MIS Council), the 2004 Fall Conference will take place Sunday, Oct. 17 through Wednesday, Oct. 20.