OptiCat’s Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES) validation capability offered in its OnTarget Pro software has been recognized by automotive suppliers and distributors for its effectiveness in helping suppliers speed high-quality catalog data to market. Now, OptiCat has announced the addition of its new advanced Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES) and Product Attribute Database (PAdb) validation capabilities to On Target Pro.
This new capability includes validation of supplier catalog data in 40 areas to help ensure that supplier data reaches customers in high quality and quickly, as well as requiring minimum customer revisions. In addition, this new capability validates key attribute areas of PAdb data so that customers can search consistent, key attribute data in order to help them find the “right part.”
This new product introduction will be available at no additional charge for subscribers of the OptiCat On Board Pro Data Distribution System.
The OnTarget Pro portion of the OnBoard Pro System is resident on supplier customers’ computers and is, therefore, always available for data testing. This provides the supplier with flexibility to run the software multiple times in order to test the validity of data fixes as they are made, prior to completing data checking and forwarding it to customers with OnBoard Pro. The company says OnTarget Pro is fast and efficient, even on larger data files.
Bryan Thueson, chief operating officer of OptiCat, said, “This new software release gives suppliers superior flexibility to validate its catalog data files for both ACES and PIES errors and inconsistencies. With the addition of PAdb validation, it provides a new and effective tool to help customers find the parts they need, even in situations where year make and model information might not be available or where limited part identification information is available.”
As the aftermarket becomes more complex and adds more data requirements, the company says OnTarget Pro and On Board Pro will continually be updated to reflect the current “state of the art” in aftermarket data validation. For markets not typically utilizing year, make and model parts look-ups or in markets such as the heavy-duty truck market or the tool and equipment market, which may not be vehicle specific, utilization of the PAdb data standards can provide a better way to help customers specify the best parts, equipment and fluids for their respective applications, according to OptiCat. Most importantly, PAdb data also will be searchable as part of coming upgrades to the OptiCat On Line Parts Research Catalog, expected to be available this summer. This adds significant incentive for aftermarket suppliers in multiple industries to consider adding PAdb data to their catalog offerings, the company adds.
