BETHESDA, Md. – The University of the Aftermarket, in partnership with the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), will host a two-day seminar on the implementation and management of aftermarket catalog data standards. The program will be held March 27-28 at Northwood University’s satellite campus in Troy, Mich.
 
The program was developed for aftermarket catalog managers and product information professionals who would like to sharpen their knowledge and management of the industry data standards – ACES and PIES. Seminar topics will include:
 
·      Building the Foundation – Managing Brand Identification, using AftermarketMatch.com and working with product-specific attributes
 
·      Understanding how to get the most from the ACES and PIES documentation and rules
 
·      Working with the Vehicle Configuration database and other components of the standards
 
·      Understanding how to get the most value from the ACES Enhanced Standard website
 
·      Using PIES to send packaging, pricing, interchange and other product information
 
·      Understanding the best practices for product images and other digital assets
 
·      Real-world application exercises and discussion of compliance with trading partner requirements
 
Instruction for this seminar will make extensive use of Web-based content and live data exercises. Attendees are required to bring a laptop, tablet or other wireless Internet-capable device. All materials will be electronic, and Web exercises will have students taking the first steps toward standards compliance. Instruction will be by leaders of the AAIA Technology Standards Committee and principal architects of the industry standards.
 
“Every catalog and product manager in the aftermarket must master the basics of the industry standards – ACES and PIES – even if they employ a service provider or software solution,” said Scott Luckett, CIO, AAIA and instructor, University of the Aftermarket. “The standards continue to expand and evolve. This comprehensive seminar will lay a solid foundation for implementation, even for veterans of the standards.”
 
The seminar has been specifically designed to satisfy the education requirement for the Automotive Catalog Professional (ACP) designation offered by the National Catalog Managers Association (NCMA) and the University of the Aftermarket. The ACP designation recognizes automotive content managers who have committed to continued education and professional development. Seminar attendees may be eligible to receive their ACP at the 40th anniversary NCMA Knowledge Exchange conference in St. Louis, Mo., April 20-24. For more information visit www.ncmacat.org.
 
Registration details, as well as information on special hotel rates, are available at the University of the Aftermarket website www.universityoftheaftermarket.com.
 
Click “Course Calendar” and choose the March 27-28 Aftermarket Data Standards course. The registration fee is $595 for AAIA members and $695 for others.