Web Services
Wiki Definition: Web services are typically application programming interfaces (API) or web APIs that can be accessed over a network, such as the Internet, and executed on a remote system hosting the requested services. Or, a software system designed to support interoperable machine-to-machine interaction over a network
AAIA has defined the building blocks for Web Services tailored to meet the needs of the vehicle parts and service aftermarket industry. Today, AAIA supports over 800 metadata definitions, security and authentication best practices, as well as a standardized development methodology and collaborative development environment.
To App Developers the message is:
“come on down to the Aftermarket … we’re open for business”
The aftermarket already makes use of two suites of web services for interoperability of shop systems and service, called i.SHOP, and the collection of Internet Parts Ordering (IPO) services for emergency product ordering transactions.
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The aftermarket is a highly fragmented, transaction intensive, $285 billion industry dealing with millions of SKU’s across thousands of trading partner relationships using highly-entrenched legacy ERP systems. The relatively short development cycles and ease of deploying web services without expensive disruption and integration with backend systems make Web Service Apps an ideal way for the industry to evolve in an on-demand world. Obvious applications include: catalog look-up on-demand; product attributes on-demand; warranty authorization on-demand; core return request on-demand; service information on-demand; repair procedures on-demand, and more.
To learn more about how you can develop Web Services that conform to AAIA standards, click here or write to webservices@aftermarket.org