BETHESDA, Md. (Aug. 19, 2004) — The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has released the latest version of the iSHOP open standard software for automotive service shops.
The association said the version 2.0 specification marks a “significant advance in the industry standard for the interoperability of shop equipment and systems,” and builds on the strengths of the first iSHOP software released in July 2001. When it was itroduced, iSHOP's goal was to develop a single open standard for communication between different pieces of shop equipment, shop management systems, part catalogs, labor guides and repair information providers.
The latest software provides additional interface standards for parts information, parts line filtering, parts buyer's guide, specification data, parts photos, supply chain stocking locations and XML-based diagnostic and inspection results information, AAIA said.
Scott Luckett, AAIA vice president of technology standards and solutions, said iSHOP-compliant products “allow shop owners to choose the best products for their needs in the front and back shop, and enjoy all the advantages of full connectivity. iSHOP version 2.0 is evidence of the continuing evolution and growing sophistication of the industry standard.”
Bethesda-based AAIA's member companies manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment, materials and supplies for the automotive aftermarket.