New Internet AutoParts Feature to Enable Vehicle Dealers to Purchase Aftermarket Parts

Epicor Software Corporation has developed an eCommerce business portal that will enable vehicle dealerships to research, price and order aftermarket parts and supplies and integrate with their dealer business management systems.

The new Epicor®Aftermarket Parts Portal provides a complete integration between dealers and the nearly 20,000 aftermarket distributors who utilize the industry-leading Epicor Internet AutoParts (IAP) sourcing solution. The Aftermarket Parts Portal is expected to be available to IAP-enabled distributors in January 2013.

The Aftermarket Parts Portal will allow aftermarket distributors to open a new sales channel with thousands of dealerships that are seeking to grow their all-makes/all-models service capabilities. The new feature initially enables dealership professionals using ADP business management systems to save time and eliminate research, procurement and billing errors by electronically sourcing parts through aftermarket providers. The solution also enables dealers to more easily look up, order and sell a variety of aftermarket accessories and other products not available through the original equipment service channel.

“Epicor IAP has been an important source of growth for our business over a period of several years,” said Doug Washbish, president of Moog Louisville Warehouse, Louisville, Ky. “The new Aftermarket Parts Portal will help us establish new and stronger relationships with leading vehicle dealerships in our market area. This is a very exciting new capability for Epicor IAP.”

“Many dealerships have been reluctant to increase their use of aftermarket parts and supplies due to the extra steps involved in researching, ordering and billing these products,” explained Scott Thompson, vice president, automotive eCommerce for Epicor. “The Aftermarket Parts Portal eliminates these issues by integrating the entire sourcing process into the dealer’s existing dealer management software and each repair order. As dealers look to expand their service operations and used-car businesses, we believe they will rely on aftermarket distributors who can integrate directly into their preferred systems.”

As part of the Epicor Parts Network, the aftermarket’s largest independent business-to-business eCommerce channel, the new Aftermarket Parts Portal is designed to solve a variety of other issues that have traditionally discouraged dealers’ use of aftermarket parts. For example, by integrating industry-leading Epicor PartExpert® product data, the new solution can interchange OE and aftermarket part numbers and provide the other critical product details, including specifications and images, needed to facilitate each order. In addition to parts needed for specific repairs, the new IAP feature enables dealers to more efficiently process virtually any stock order through an aftermarket provider.

Established in 2000, IAP was acquired by Epicor in April 2012 and today operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Epicor Software Corporation. For more information regarding the Aftermarket Parts Portal and other innovative eCommerce solutions, visit the Epicor exhibit (booth 2234) during the 2012 AAPEX Show October 30-November 1 in Las Vegas, contact IAP at (512) 527-8966, or email iap@epicor.com.