GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — As part of the evolving technology of its Network WebShop ecommerce solution, the Automotive Distribution Network has introduced a new feature that allows users to search for a vehicle by license-plate number and the state where it’s registered, according to Mike Lambert, president of the Network.

“The Network Information Services (NIS) team is constantly striving to provide greater IT features for Parts Plus, Auto Pride and IAPA members and their customers by increasing efficiency when searching for and ordering parts through our electronic catalog system,” Lambert said. “This latest feature will help the Network’s service-dealer customers better assist motorists in getting back on the road and back to their lives.”

With this new tool, Network WebShop leverages the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) related to the license plate to find the vehicle’s correct year, make, model and engine, said Tom Frey, the Network’s vice president of IT.

“The VIN has traditionally been the quickest and best way to ensure an accurate vehicle lookup in the catalog,” Frey said. “License-plate lookup not only reduces mouse clicks for the Network’s service-dealer customers, but it also decreases lookup errors that occur when consumers provide the incorrect year or engine for their vehicle. This tool will help service dealers reduce mistakes and eliminate multiple deliveries.”