Activant introduces new integrated systems, eCatalog tools for the parts counter

Jobbers and distributors both know that the key to an effective sale often lies in the hands of a parts counterperson. But if the counterperson lacks training and doesn't understand the customer's needs, he or she won't be able to find the right part for the task at hand.

"Distributors tell us that their ability to provide superior customer service is the determining factor for the future of their businesses. So when an important service dealer contacts one of their locations, they absolutely cannot afford employee mistakes," says Tom Aliotti, vice president and general manager of the Activant Solutions, Inc.'s automotive business.

Activant is helping distributors and jobbers enhance the effectiveness and performance of their counter employees — regardless of experience — through innovative, tightly integrated computer system and electronic catalog technologies. This unique approach is designed to give the counterperson the information they need to quickly identify and sell the right part, and even the right brand, in each transaction.

"Activant has invested aggressively in a wide range of new technologies — from major catalog enhancements to complete business management platforms — to help WDs and jobbers turn every counterperson into their best sales professional when that important customer call comes in," Aliotti adds.

Among the company's recent catalog enhancements are Activant OE Carry-Forward™, which leverages original equipment manufacturer information to dramatically increase the timeliness and coverage of aftermarket data; “MCL by Make” functionality, which allows the distributor or store owner to control the order in which parts and brands are displayed by the catalog software; “VIN” (vehicle identification number) lookup and decoding technology; and the Activant Cover-to-Cover™ graphical eCatalog module, which includes more than 1.8 million parts images and other enhanced content to help eliminate selling errors.

According to Allioti, the value of these innovative catalog tools, while substantial for any parts operation, is significantly greater when fully integrated with the store's business management platform.

"Distributors want a seamless transaction where the counterperson quickly and easily navigates from a catalog lookup to the customer's account file, and then to an integrated dispatch and delivery module that tracks the part until it arrives at the customer's location," he says. "Pulling together all of this advanced functionality in a package that's easy to use for every counterperson is a goal that we established and have met."

The cornerstone of this fully integrated solution is the new Activant Eagle® for the Aftermarket business management platform, a Microsoft Windows-based system designed to drive significant improvements in store sales and profitability. Activant Eagle technology features an integrated "smart" catalog featuring Activant OE Carry-Forward data, MCL by Make functionality, VIN lookup and decoding, the Activant Cover-to-Cover module, and more. The system's highly intuitive, Windows-based point-of-sale system enables fast, accurate and more personal service for the store's customers.

Activant also offers a broad range of fully integrated electronic catalog solutions, eCommerce functionality, document management, delivery tracking and other modules for its advanced Activant Vision™ and Activant Prism™ distribution management solutions.

"Each of these Activant systems — combined with eCommerce capability, delivery tracking, electronic document management and our latest electronic catalog tools – is helping our distributors transform the customer experience and grow their sales and margins," Aliotti says. "We believe these solutions represent the new standard for traditional distributors and jobber operations."

For more information regarding Activant electronic catalog tools and the Activant Eagle for the Aftermarket solution, visit the company's Web site.