Epicor had several new announcements at AAPEX 2023.
Among them were new, next-generation cloud-based catalogues for automotive parts and service repair; a new B2B Next Generation e-commerce platform; and two new advanced analytic solutions for automotive parts distributors and service providers.
Tim Hardin, Senior Vice President, Global Auto, Data, and Extended Services; explained that the new, standalone next-generation cloud-based catalogues incorporate Epicor validated, ACES-compliant data as well as a powerful “Intelligence Search” feature that enables users to quickly, and efficiently find parts for virtually any vehicle repair.
New advanced catalogues
Available for users in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, these catalogues represent two important steps in Epicor’s multi-year project that aims to transform and enhance the way in which automotive parts and service professionals access the parts they need for their customers’ vehicles. “As the aftermarket’s premier data source, Epicor is committed to helping users increase sales, efficiency and customer loyalty through seamless access to the best product and application,” said Hardin.
Both new versions of the catalogues are powered by Epicor’s aftermarket product content engine, which can access over 1.6 billion catalogue applications and 12 million unique part numbers from more than 4,000 different suppliers. They also include manufacturer product descriptions, technical insights as well as images and other information to ensure accurate part identification and installation.
B2B platform
Epicor also unveiled a new B2B e-commerce platform, dubbed Epicor Commerce for Automotive (ECA), aimed at automotive replacement parts distributors and their customers. This cloud-based platform is designed to help parts distributors and other users increase sales and boost customer satisfaction. It does this by providing up-to-the-minute customer-specific part pricing and product availability information.
The platform’s cloud-based architecture also simplifies customer setup and control, streamlining each step in the online selling and purchasing experience. Because ECA is integrated with Epicor’s aftermarket product content engine, it enables access to a vast database of parts and information, including aftermarket-to-aftermarket and aftermarket-to-OE interchanges as well as a labour database and pre-configured packages.
Predictive solutions
Two other solutions on display were Epicor’s Predictive Inventory and Predictive Maintenance Assistants, which use “intelligent” inventory management to provide accurate stocking recommendations, and predictive analysis to determine future repair needs for virtually any vehicle on the road, enabling automotive service providers to build stronger customer relationships and increase long-term retention.
