For many years, automotive aftermarket distributors have used electronic data interchange (EDI) to streamline the procurement process with their key vendors. In a one-to-one environment, the system works well, but it can become cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive to implement on a larger scale with multiple trading partners.
Today, distributors can move beyond traditional EDI to incorporate cloud-based solutions that simplify the process, allowing them to connect with more suppliers, more easily and cost effectively. Presented by GCommerce and the AASA Technology Council, this special report describes an EDI solution that is easier to implement and maintain, puts more trading partners on the same page and represents a step forward in streamlining the entire supply channel.
“Increasing Brand Equity For Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers,” addresses the current gap in aftermarket suppliers’ marketing –a true branding relationship with the end user, the repair professional.
Produced for AASA by affiliate member MontAd, this report addresses some of the considerations, techniques and digital tools supplier members can use to regain brand equity.
This AASA “Special Report” is a reprint of AASA’s Industry Analysis, the monthly examination of developing trends that will influence the automotive aftermarket in the near and long term. This AASA Special Report is intended to start a dialogue in the automotive aftermarket on this important issue.
In July 2008, the AASA Technology Council, with support from ABeam Consulting, began working to understand the changing role of the CIO within member companies. Since the initial meeting, ABeam has worked with MEMA to host forums, collect survey data and directly interview MEMA members to further understand how their companies are adapting their use of IT outsourcing services to meet current challenges.
This Special Report is the result of that research, and its goal is to help members to learn the lessons of outsourcing as experienced by their peers and to help facilitate a discussion of both the best practices and the common pitfalls of going outside member companies IT organizations to meet today's business requirements.
Of the many insights in AASA’s landmark study, "Aftermarket Outlook 2020," the biggest issue identified facing aftermarket suppliers – and their ability to survive and thrive in the future – was the lack of a level playing field along the aftermarket value chain. Key findings of Aftermarket Outlook 2020 included that, though the market itself isn’t expected to see radical changes, business and relationships along the value chain have and will continue to change dramatically.
This Special Report by Paul McCarthy, AASA vice president of industry analysis, planning and member services, follows up "Aftermarket Outlook 2020." It shares initial thoughts from automotive suppliers and AASA industry analysis on how suppliers can address these issues. Specifically, suppliers can become more valuable to channel partners and make the full-service supplier value proposition more compelling – and thereby achieve sustainable return on investment for manufacturers.
“Independent Aftermarket Image: Why Premium Aftermarket Products Deliver the Best Value” is the latest Special Report from the AASA Marketing Executives Council. The report specifically addresses the issue of low quality, low cost parts and the quality, name brand parts produced by full service aftermarket suppliers which meet or exceed OEM specifications.
AASA MEMBERS ONLY
According to the 1Q 2011 AASA Supplier Barometer, high gas prices have hit the automotive aftermarket hard. The June 2011 Market Analysis Special Report by Paul McCarthy, AASA vice president of industry analysis, planning and member services, takes a look at the current “pain at the pump,” its effect on the aftermarket and how it differs from the previous gas price spike in 2007-2008.
AASA MEMBERS ONLY
Developed by the MEMA Technology Council, this report depicts the impetus for and benefits of implementing a program to manage critical data across a manufacturer's operations.
Liability for counterfeiting, product safety issues and recalls could fall upon resellers in certain instances. This Special Report reviews the recent court decisions in this area and discusses instances where resellers have been found liable. AASA is committed to providing members and the motor vehicle parts supplier industry with the latest news and information regarding industry trends such as direct importing, counterfeiting and intellectual property rights violations. This Special Report is a continuation of the information provided in the October 2007 Special Report, "Direct Importing: Do the Risks Outweigh the Reward?"
AASA MEMBERS ONLY
This article examines various strategies that members of MEMA may employ to protect the words, symbols or numbers used to identify the source of the parts they manufacture and sell and electronic catalogs, including but not limited to lists of Part Numbers, vendors and suppliers.
The AASA MEC Special Report, "Independent Repair Industry: Focus Group Findings on Buying Influences of Repair Professionals," details focus group findings. This 21-page report includes an Executive Summary of the findings, detailed reports and charts of the focus group discussions and the conclusion which analyzes the long-term implications of the focus group findings for the entire North American aftermarket channel.
AASA MEMBERS ONLY
Theft of your intellectual property may not be limited to counterfeit goods. A recent string of fraudulent e-mail and mail scams have revealed a new concern for business entities -- corporate identity theft.
This report, "Recent Scams Prey Upon Your Corporate Goodwill," details how companies can safeguard against fraud and describes what to do if your company is hit by corporate identity scammers.