Members of the information technology department of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance hosted its counterparts from leading supplier channel partners at the group’s 8th Annual Information Technology Summit (IT Summit). The purpose of the event was to engage in a collaborative exchange to improve system-to-system information exchange and communication up and down the supply chain. Staff representing Akebono, Bosch, CARDONE, Carter, Gates, Federal-Mogul, KYB, Motorad, MPA, Plews & Edelmann, Spectra Premium, WIX and Zep were in attendance.
“In addition to strengthening relationships with our channel partners, the Alliance IT Summit allows us to showcase the latest Alliance Technology Suite, both our cloud and mobile innovations geared to help our customers search, find and buy what they need faster than any competitive solution,” said Dale Hopkins, vice president and CIO of the Alliance. “Accomplishing that requires end-to-end data, software and connectivity solutions within our supply chain. Bringing our supplier channel partners into that thinking and planning process helps us both achieve our collective goals.”
During the event, personnel of the Alliance IT department shared information about various solutions within the award-winning Alliance Technology Suite (ATS). Exchanges focused on some of the more collaborative elements within the ATS. Suppliers learned how they can improve their inventory planning and improve fill rates by engaging with the Alliance Data Warehouse and the Inventory Optimization Tool (IOT) and how they can promote better sales by engaging with the Alliance’s ecommerce solution, MyPlaceForParts.
Shareholders of the Alliance and the group itself have been recognized consistently by the industry for its effective development and deployment of technology by earning the R. L. Polk Inventory Efficiency Award five times overall and an unprecedented current streak of four times in a row.
“It’s a powerful confirmation of the combined efforts of our shareholder’s and headquarters’ IT teams when the industry lauds us repeatedly for our collective IT efforts,” said John Washbish, Alliance president and CEO, about the “four-peat” win. “With nearly 15 years of experience with our own data warehouse and related business intelligence tools we have some great information to share with our channel partners.
“Our continuing collaboration with our channel partners is vital in our ability to keep moving forward and add value for us all. We are truly proud of what we are collectively accomplishing,” said Washbish.
Below is a link to a video detailing the Alliance’s R. L. Polk Inventory Efficiency Award wins:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTrr8z9yQMg