ShowMeTheParts And GCommerce Announce Collaboration On Business-to-Business e-Commerce Solution

Vertical Development Inc. and GCommerce Inc. are launching a new product collaboration called “ShowMeTheParts B2B GCommerce Edition.” The new business-to-business e-commerce tool integrates GCommerce’s Virtual Inventory Cloud (VIC) system into websites powered by ShowMeTheParts (SMTP), adding drop-shipping and special ordering capabilities.

ShowMeTheParts B2B GCommerce Edition is the capstone to a system that the two companies say addresses every aspect of parts ordering between mid-market manufacturers/suppliers and their direct channel partners. With SMTP B2B, customers have an account and see their designated prices when they log in. Since it leverages the SMTP database, these buyers can see information including compatibility, attributes, data sheets and even photos of the part before placing an order.

“Partnering with Vertical Development to create ShowMeTheParts B2B GCommerce Edition leverages the best of both companies to contribute to increased sales,” said Scott Luckett, vice president, Industry Strategy of GCommerce Inc. “In our more than 15 years in the e-commerce business we’ve built the largest network of trading partners serving the vehicle aftermarket. Combining the scale of our e-commerce system with the power behind the ShowMeTheParts database is game changing for mid-market wholesalers and distributors in the aftermarket industry.”

GCommerce specializes in automated messaging, including electronic data interchange and web services, for B2B trading partners. “One of the major issues facing the aftermarket industry is part proliferation,” said Jay Wright, president of Vertical Development Inc. “It is nearly impossible for distribution warehouses to stock everything. So, more and more companies prefer to drop-ship from manufacturers’ warehouses to satisfy their customers. This solution will be extremely easy to implement with ShowMeTheParts B2B GCommerce Edition.”

The two companies say key benefit with SMTP B2B GCommerce Edition is its integration with GCommerce’s VIC, which lets buyers see product availability, estimated shipping costs and delivery information – all without the need for any time-consuming and inefficient telephone inquiries. The new SMTP B2B GCommerce Edition allows for fewer staff resources dedicated to that part of the ordering process, and customers know what to expect when they place their orders online.

“Larger manufacturers and distributors already have huge, expensive systems at work for them, but automating processes for mid-market businesses in this segment was our primary focus,” said Wright. “As we collaborated to develop this new system, we knew that it would make a profound difference in the online presence and ordering system for a select group of our clients and we’re thrilled with the results.”

To see ShowMeTheParts B2B GCommerce Edition in a live demo, visit AAPEX ShowMeTheParts booth No. 3663, or GCommerce booth No. 3662. For more information, visit verticaldev.com/showmetheparts or call 847-609-9540.

Federated Auto Parts Distributors announced it is entering into a collaboration with the Association of Independent Oil Distributors (AIOD) – one it said will focus on mutual benefits for the respective members.

“Federated is constantly looking at ways to improve value for all constituents and this agreement provides that,” said Sue Godschalk, president of Federated. “This collaboration provides added volume and opportunities for our suppliers, new partners for our members, and added supply points and products for shop customers. We have enjoyed working closely with several AIOD members in the past and this agreement will expand and create further opportunities for both Federated and AIOD.”