Decoding the Secrets of Autocare's ACES and PIES

Managing fitment in the world of automotive aftermarket can be a daunting task. Data standards play a crucial role in ensuring seamless communication and exchange of product information between you and your customers. Nothing has revolutionized the aftermarket automotive industry more than AutoCare’s AfterMarket Catalog of Exchange Standard (ACES) and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES). In this post, we’ll explore what these standards are, why they’re important to you, and how they’re shaping the future of automotive aftermarket.

What are ACES and PIES?

Aces and PIES are data standards developed by the Autocare Association to help facilitate the exchange of product information in the automotive aftermarket industry. ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) is used for managing and exchanging automotive application, or fitment, data, while PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) is used for managing and exchanging product attribute data.

ACES and PIES are data standards developed by AutoCare Association to facilitate the exchange of product information in the automotive aftermarket industry. ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) is used for managing and exchanging automotive application (fitment) data, while PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) is used for managing and exchanging product attribute data. By standardizing the way product and fitment data is managed and exchanged, these tools help businesses streamline operations, reduce errors, and improve efficiency. They enable businesses to communicate product information accurately and consistently, leading to improved customer satisfaction and reduced return rates.

These Tools in Action

It’s probably easiest to understand how ACES and PIES work with an real world example. Suppose you’re an auto parts retailer. You have thousands of parts in your inventory, each with its own unique specifications and fitment data. How do you manage and exchange this vast amount of data?

With ACES, you can standardize your fitment data, making it easier to manage and exchange. ACES uses a vehicle configuration database that covers virtually all vehicles sold in North America, allowing you to accurately match the parts you sell to the vehicles owned by your customers.

On the other hand, PIES, allows you to manage and exchange product attribute data. It covers a wide range of product attributes, including product descriptions, pricing information, product images, and more. With PIES, you can ensure that your product information is accurate, consistent, and up-to-date.

ACES and PIES are not just data standards; they’re tools that can help businesses in the automotive aftermarket industry navigate the complexities of product information management and exchange. By adopting these standards, businesses can improve their operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive growth. As the automotive aftermarket industry continues to evolve and grow, the importance of data standards like ACES and PIES is only set to increase.

ACES and PIES Management with Product Desk

With the rise of e-commerce and the growing demand for accurate and detailed product information, businesses that adopt standards like ACES and PIES are likely to have a competitive edge. However, managing the vast and complex data that ACES and PIES provides can be a daunting task. With Strabo Partner’s Product Desk, this task becomes significantly easier and more efficient.

Product Desk is designed with a deep understanding of the industry’s needs. It not only supports ACES and PIES but also simplifies their management. Whether you are a retailer or a manufacturer in the automotive aftermarket, Product Desk’s user-friendly interface automatically exports your product data into ACES and PIES. This ensures that your product data is accurate, consistent, and up-to-date, which is critical for your eCommerce business.

Product Desk isn’t just a product information management system; it’s a comprehensive solution for managing your product data, ensuring its accuracy, and enhancing its usability. By leveraging Product Desk, you can navigate the complexities of ACES and PIES, improve your operations, and drive growth in the automotive aftermarket industry.