AAPA hosts IT summit

SAN ANTONIO (March 5, 2015) — Members of the information technology (IT) department of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Inc. (AAPA) recently hosted their counterparts from leading supplier channel partners at the group's 8th annual IT summit in Texas.

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,” the AAPA said. Representatives from Akebono, Bosch, Cardone, Carter, Gates, Federal-Mogul, KYB, Motorad, MPA, Plews & Edelmann, Spectra Premium, Wix and Zep participated in the summit.

“In addition to strengthening relationships with our channel partners, the Alliance IT Summit allows us to showcase the latest Alliance Technology Suite (ATS) — 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 chief information office 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, AAPA personnel from the IT department shared information about various solutions within the ATS, with exchanges focusing on some of the more collaborative elements within the suite. 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), according to the AAPA, and how they can promote better sales by engaging with the Alliance's ecommerce solution, MyPlaceForParts.

The AAPA said its shareholders, as well as the group itself, “have been recognized consistently by the industry for its effective development and deployment of technology by earning the coveted R. L. Polk Inventory Efficiency Award five times overall and an unprecedented current streak of four times in a row.”

John R. Washbish, Alliance president and CEO, said that is “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. 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.”

The AAPA comprises one of the nation's largest auto parts distribution and marketing organizations through more than 2,200 parts stores and some 3,100 certified service centers throughout North America.

For a video detailing the AAPA's streak of winning R. L. Polk Inventory Efficiency Award, click here.