PartsTrader announces program update

Sept. 18, 2012

Sept. 18, 2012—PartsTrader, the Web-based parts sourcing, quoting and ordering platform used for State Farm Insurance’s parts procurement pilot, has released changes to the program based on feedback and recommendations from collision repairers.

PartsTrader said it has reduced the amount of time required for repairers to wait for price quotes from parts suppliers. Users are now able to set price quote windows of 30 minutes, reduced from a minimum of one hour as was required when State Farm initially launched the pilot.

PartsTrader said parts suppliers are still able to submit price quotes after the 30-minute period expires, until repairers actually begin to review quotes received. PartsTrader said the program modification, which is being tested in two pilot markets, will improve shop productivity by allowing repairers to proceed with the repair process in half the time that was previously required.

In addition, PartsTrader said its application now allows repairers to extend the time window for price quotes in 30-minute increments. Repairers can do so if they do not receive as many quotes as expected, or to include placeholder quotes for OEM dealers that they have established relationships with.

“These improvements allow repairers to consider more viable supplier options without wasting time, and produce additional opportunities for suppliers to present their available inventory,” PartsTrader said.

Chicago-based PartsTrader said program improvements will be ongoing through communication with industry stakeholders. The company has several pending program enhancements, including two-way estimatic integration, repairer and supplier management reporting, and a supplier feedback and ratings system.

"Our product users, Advisory Council and additional independent researchers have helped us to incorporate creative, solution-driven enhancements to the PartsTrader platform,” said Rob Cooper, CEO of PartsTrader. "Through the feedback and participation of our industry, we're co-creating a more productive product for collision repairers."

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