PHOENIX – Members of Federated Auto Parts heard a lot of I.T. talk in the first day of the group’s National Meeting, with vendor partners sharing updates about their newest software, cloud computing and database offerings. But after day one it was clear adoption of the group’s new Enhanced Supply Chain (ESC) warehouse database system is a top priority this spring.
“If you haven’t signed up yet, we really would like you to. The train is leaving the station, so to speak, and it’s leaving pretty fast,” said Herb Godschalk, co-president of Fisher Auto Parts and head of Federate’d I.T. Committee, speaking to the group at the Arizona Grand Resort. “The computer vendors are getting on board and this data is extremely important for the group.”
More than 350 distributor members and suppliers were in Phoenix for the three-day event, featuring one-on-one meetings, networking opportunities and educational programs.
According to Al Joyner, Federated’s newly hired director of data management brought on last fall to drive the ESC project, the goal is to have all members signed up by May 13. Joyner spoke about the benefits of the new system, which include:
- Collaborative inventory management functions
- Category management
- New part introduction and tracking
- Forecasting with members and suppliers
- Advanced replenishment system
- Enhanced movement of excess stock
“We think these are some of the very key business areas with the data warehouse sitting over the top of our entire group,” said Joyner. “It’s about making the right part, stocking the right part and selling the right part.”
The group plans to hold supplier and member forums in the summer to talk about how they are using the ESC data and share what they have learned. “We believe that will help us as a group maximize our benefit with this very important tool,” said Joyner. “We don’t want just another data warehouse. There are plenty of those out there. We want the best data warehouse in the industry.”
The project got underway in earnest during the fourth quarter of 2011. The ESC solution has been developed in collaboration with Epicor Software Corporation (formerly Activant Solutions Inc.). Epicor Business Development Director David Berg spoke to the group about features of the system and the overall value.
Among the key new capabilities are the management of national account programs, tracking and assessment of supplier and member marketing programs and promotions, and the sharing of valuable business intelligence among member businesses.
