Internet Parts Ordering (IPO)

Data Sharing
HDX - Heavy Duty Exchange
IAP - Internet Auto Parts

Connectivity
i�SHOP Standard for Connectivity
Aftermarket Bar Code Guidelines

Useful Links
EDI FAQ Glossary
DISA
ASC X.12
ANSI
UN/EDIFACT
ISO

Topics: Electronic Catalog Data Standards Product Information Exchange Standards Bar Code Standards EDI XML

Electronic Catalog Standards
Today, most auto parts retailers depend on an electronic catalog database to access the millions of unique applications available. In the absence of standards, electronic catalog database system providers are required to hand-key from paper sources or perform extensive file manipulation. These methods add cost , errors, and lengthy time delays to the data.

• Industry Standards for the format and exchange of applications catalog data breaks down the bottleneck of data input and ensures that the latest application data is available on the countertop at the lowest possible price.
• Manufacturers benefit from catalog standards by having increased selling opportunities because the data required to sell their products can be published soon after research and well before printing paper catalogs.
• Reduced returns result from having current catalog information and prompt correction of errors
• The costs associated with supplying electronic catalog data in multiple proprietary formats are significantly reduced
• Customers prefer suppliers who can supply applications data electronically in a standardized format. These manufacturers have a competitive advantage over those suppliers who cannot supply this service.
• Incorporating the industry-standard vehicle configuration tables into a parts application database makes coverage gap analysis and connectivity with other data sources (such as vehicle registration data) more efficient.
  
  Useful Resources:
  AAIA Electronic Catalog Standards Home Page
  University of the Aftermarket E-Catalog Standards Basic User Training
  

Product Information Exchange Standards (PIES)
Automotive suppliers are burdened by the demands of distributing product related information to their customers in a wide variety of formats. Price sheets, UPC codes, packaging information, regulatory codes, warranty policy and line art or images are just a few of the datum customers request of their suppliers everyday. Product Information Exchange Standards (PIES) are recognized as the industry standard for exchanging over 140 attributes of product information in a structure electronic format. XML standards as well as a structured flat-file can be used to pass data down the supply chain, independent of the application or platform used. PIES is the e-commerce enabler of the aftermarket industry.

The PIES Standards accommodate such information as pricing information, packaging information, UPC and barcodes, product description information, warranty information, shipping information and Web Site links for product images, MSDS, installation instructions, etc.

• Suppliers from all aftermarket industry segments, including automotive, accessories, performance and heavy duty, can use PIES to send product information to their trading partners.
• PIES significantly lowers the cost and complexity of responding to requests for electronic product information from customers.
• Enables e-commerce and data mining with a single industry standard format for data exchange
• Use of PIES reduces returns through-out the industry because buyers guides, interchange, and images can be accessed through cataloging applications, helping ensure that the right part is sold the first time
• Suppliers who can output product information in the PIES format have a competitive advantage in meeting the data requirements of their customers
  
  Useful Resources:
  Product Information Exchange Standards
  Aftermarket Council on Electronic Commerce
  Heavy Duty Exchange (HDX)

Bar Coding Standards
Bar Codes are the machine-readable symbology used to represent UPC (Universal Product Codes) numbers on many types of retail and commercial products. Pioneered by the grocery industry, bar codes are commonly used at the retail point-of-sale to quickly and accurately checkout sales.

• Bar codes standards reduce pricing and inventory control errors at the point-of -sale
• Product with bar codes can be received and put away faster, reducing stock-outs and requiring less inventory
• Properly coded packaging can enable systems to distinguish between regular stock and promotional packs of the same product
• American and European bar coding organizations have combined, ensuring global identification standards
  
  Useful Resources:
  Uniform Code Council (UCC)
  AWDA Aftermarket Bar Code Guidelines
  Automated Identification Manufacturers (AIM)

EDI
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the automatic exchange of machine-readable data between computer applications. Developed in the 1970's by the transport industry to communicate manifests and bill of lading data, EDI is the "original form of e-commerce". Ideal for high-volume, high-frequency business transactions, EDI is now commonly used by large and medium-sized companies worldwide to communicate purchasing, sales, and billing information between disparate hardware and software applications. EDI transactions are extracted from the originator's computer application and formatted to conform to a standard for that type of transaction. Software then send the "packet" containing one or more transactions to a Value Added Network (VAN) where it is routed to the recipient and checked for errors and integrity of data. Software used by the recipient receives the transactions from the VAN and decodes them for use in their unique software applications.

• EDI enables manufacturers to automatically process purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices and other high-frequency business documents.
• EDI reducing training and software costs by enabling a manufacturer to communicate with many trading partners through a single software application
• EDI reduces paper forms cost and saves 5-7 days of processing information through traditional methods
• EDI can be used to send and receive routine transactions automatically, enabling managers to focus on exceptions
  
  Useful Resources:
  Management Information Services Group (MISG)
  Sterling Commerce
  

XML
Extensible Mark-up Language (XML) is the latest tool for exchanging data using the Internet. Standardized tags or labels make data "self describing". The Internet makes the transport of that data simple and inexpensive. XML is a viable alternative to the high start-up costs of EDI for medium and small sized businesses. As with EDI, XML field definitions and style sheets must be defined for industry specific purposes.

Useful Resources:
Product Information Exchange Standards
IBM introduction to XML
RosettaNet