Aftermarket Technology Projects Update

Introduction
Here’s a little list of projects that have been occupying my time along with a couple of other updates that are important to mention:

1. Planning with the Aftermarket eForum Committee
2. Keeping an eye on the Aftermarket Data Vision Study
3. Writing and preparing articles for the June issue of SEMA News. This entire issue focuses on technology in the aftermarket and is a ‘must read’.
4. Other SEMA Business Technology Committee issues
5. Managing (more or less) the SEMA BTC PIES sub-committee
6. Running for SEMA Board of Directors (Vote for me, please!)
7. Oh, yeah and working for a living (funny how that seems to take up so much time).
8. The SEMA Business Technology Committee is rapidly adding valuable content at http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?id=53742. In the near future this site will include a tool that can be used to locate technology vendors that meet your search criteria.
9. The trade associations have created a set of best practices for the production of product images. Read more at http://www.aftermarket.org/eCommerce/AAIA_Imaging_Best_Practices.pdf

1. The Aftermarket eForum is held every year in Chicago in July or August (July 17-19 this year) at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. It is where the aftermarket comes to discuss all things technological including product data standards, eMarketing (guess who’s leading that panel) and new technologies and their impact on the aftermarket. The eForum also offers excellent opportunities for networking and the attendees tend to be some of the most influential people in the industry. It is really an event you don’t want to miss if you can help it. If all you're interested in is the eMarketing portion, that alone would be worth the price of admission. More information is at www.aftermarketeforum.com. Check it out.

2. Ah, the Aftermarket Data Vision study. Everyone know what that’s about? Almost a couple of years ago now, a few really smart guys in the industry, Bob Moore (Bob Moore Partners), Jon Wyly (Arrow Speed Warehouse), Jerry McCabe (Affinia) and Mike Williams (O’Reilly Auto Parts) decided to present the case for the creation of a way to make ALL of the product information in the industry available to any authorized user in industry standard formats. This would allow trading partners to quickly and easily access information and perhaps enable rapid and more accurate ordering of any of the products in the marketplace. This would lower costs of doing business across the industry. Subsequently, Bob Castle (Global Accessories) and I became involved. If you want more information about this project, email me.

This is something that I first became interested in back in 1999, when I visited with Chuck Blum and Chris Kersting (former President and current President of SEMA) and suggested that SEMA look into building such a tool for its members’ products.

About a year and a half ago now, the three trade associations (AAIA, MEMA and SEMA) decided to pool their resources and finance an outsourced study to determine how people in the industry viewed the problems of unsynchronized data and possible solutions for dealing with these problems. The study was to be completed in late February of 2006. Well, the vendor is still working on the study and the original band of volunteers is a bit frustrated. The vendor is completing phone surveys and web surveys. If you receive a request for your input on this, please comply as we would like to get the study portion wrapped up and move forward with possible solutions.

3. The SEMA Business Technology Committee (hereinafter referred to as the BTC, thanks) hijacked the June issue of SEMA News. Matt Pearson (editorial director) is still being held hostage in the refrigerated computer room at SEMA and has put in requests for a parka and hot chocolate with brandy. Deadlines for this issue were late April and it’s one of the projects that has kept us hopping as the five of us on the BTC wrote all eight articles. This issue is chock full of information about technology and its impact on our industry. It introduces data standards including the Product Information Exchange Standards (PIES) and the AAIA Catalog Enhanced Standards (ACES), plus connectivity between trading partners and a whole lot of other really riveting stuff. Please keep your eyes out for it in early June and give it a read. We also would welcome your feedback. Again, email me or any of us on the BTC.

4. On May 3, your BTC met together in Kansas City to review all of the projects on our list including our PIES subcommittee, ACES subcommittee and other issues as they relate to enhancing the adoption of our industry standards. I can’t share with you all of what we are working on, but suffice it to say that there is an inexorable push to increase the technology-related sophistication of our industry. This IS a prerequisite to long term survival. Official information can now be found at http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?id=53742. The BTC portion of the SEMA website is being enhanced weekly at this point, so stay tuned.

Following the BTC meeting in KC, several of us hopped a plane and continued on to the AAIA Spring Committee Meetings in Ft. Lauderdale. Nothing like being on the beach in a gorgeous location with the sun-drenched waves lapping four floors below while you turn around and go back to the meeting room. Might as well be in Gary, Indiana (apologies to Ron Howard). The AAIA Technology Standards and Solutions Committee continues to do amazing work on updating and improving our standards. This is likely to be the smartest group of hard working industry volunteers you will ever come across. They deserve accolades (but will accept cases of fine wine).

5. I’m the BTC liaison for the PIES subcommittee. The PIES subcommittee is focused on awareness and adoption of PIES. We are in the process of first acquiring all of the data requirements from the major purchasers of our products (mostly WD’s, mail order companies and internet retailers). Once we have all of those requirements we will create a table that will allow any manufacturer to enter their product data and be assured that this data will meet the requirements of most (if not all) of their buyers. As I mentioned previously we will also create a list of technology service providers on the BTC portion of the SEMA website so that manufacturers can get help with this process.

6. I’m running once again for SEMA Board of Directors. Make sure you vote, please, (even if it’s for someone other than me). The future of SEMA, like the future of our country is guided by those who take the time to know the candidates and their platforms and vote.

Here’s my blurb, followed by an endorsement from Mr. Wyly.

Dan Jondron has the experience and vision to guide SEMA through the changes that will impact our industry over the next ten years. Your priorities are his priorities. As a top industry analyst working with companies of all sizes for over twenty-five years, Dan understands your needs. Our industry needs active, prescient and involved Board members. Feel free to call him at 360-770-6615 for information.

“Dan offers tremendous experience and an unparalleled enthusiasm to boot! He has proven his dedication to SEMA and has distinguished himself as a tireless volunteer, making him the right guy at the right time for a position on the SEMA Board.” Jon Wyly, Executive VP, Arrow Speed Warehouse.

9. Imaging Best Practices document. Imaging is critically important to both sides of the industry. For the replacement side, it’s all about whether or not this part is going to fit that vehicle. For the SEMA side, it is also about the ‘bling’. How cool is it going to look on my car? All manufacturers have invested a lot of money into product photos and drawings. Imaging is expensive. The Imaging Best Practices document, if followed, should save us a great deal of time and money, but insuring that when product photos are shot, that they will usable and accepted by your trading partners. Grab the doc at http://www.aftermarket.org/eCommerce/AAIA_Imaging_Best_Practices.pdf

Conclusion
Y'all keep up now! There's a relentless move on the part of the entire industry to lower costs and increase sales by automating business processes. Rich, standards compliant, accurate product information is the fuel that drives this project.