One Million Applications Already Cataloged as Part of Automotive Aftermarket's New Internet Infrastructure From GloPex
5 September 2000
One Million Applications Already Cataloged as Part of Automotive Aftermarket's New Internet Infrastructure From GloPex
FREMONT, Cal., Sept. 5 GloPex, which in April announced
that it is developing a new Internet infrastructure for the global automotive
aftermarket, has just added the one millionth part application to its online
electronic catalog.
GloPex has been working with major automotive aftermarket manufacturers to
put all of their parts information in one comprehensive online catalog to make
it easier for distributors to look up and sell parts from an up-to-date
information source. The GloPex catalog is accessible to manufacturers and
distributors 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so that they can update their
information at will. The result is a "real-time," web-based catalog that is a
vast improvement over paper and CD-based catalogs, which are often outdated by
the time they are published.
"Internet technology makes it possible to provide a tremendous amount of
data efficiently while keeping costs low," explains Sanjeev Chandrashekhar,
GloPex president and CEO. "Our online catalog uses the latest Internet
technology to simplify and improve the process distributors use to search for
parts. The increased efficiency and reduced errors will result in appreciable
cost savings throughout the distribution channel."
Through the GloPex online catalog, distributors and jobbers will be able
to search for all parts of a vehicle by simply selecting its make, model and
year. Currently, the process takes much more time and effort.
Most distributors and jobbers are still using paper catalogs. They have to
look through a different catalog for each part of a car, then have to tap into
their inventory systems to see what they have in stock. It's a time-consuming
process that involves several opportunities for errors to be made -- leading
to returns.
Some distributors and jobbers who can afford it use the electronic
catalogs that are currently available on CD-ROM or on the Internet. But these
catalogs are no more than the paper catalogs converted into an electronic
form. The information is the same, but in a different format. There are still
many opportunities for making errors and the systems are costly.
However, GloPex's online catalog represents a true advance in catalog
technology. For the first time, a whole new data structure is being created to
make the data more useful, integrated and complete. Using GloPex's online
catalog, the distributor or jobber will be able to do one search by the type
of car for all the part numbers he needs. After the employee enters make,
model and year information, the appropriate qualifiers are generated, reducing
the chance of errors, thus minimizing the chance of returns. At the same time,
the distributor will also see his inventory levels, saving time.
The GloPex catalog is Web-based, making it much more dynamic than paper
catalogs and the electronic catalogs some people use. Because the catalog is
online, it is more accessible -- anyone with a PC will be able to access it.
There is no special equipment to buy or cost per workstation.
Additionally, the catalog content is totally customizable and always
current -- changes can be made at any time of day or night, rather than
waiting for the next printing of a paper catalog or pressing of a CD-ROM.
GloPex plans to introduce its online catalog and a complete electronic
ordering system, including electronic payment, later this year. Because of the
advanced technology GloPex engineers are using to build the infrastructure,
including sophisticated XML programming, the ordering system is designed to be
more secure and flexible than current systems.
"Our focus is on helping the automotive aftermarket improve efficiency and
cost-effectiveness by exchanging information and ordering through the
Internet. We're doing this through a neutral site, unaffiliated with any one
manufacturer, distribution arm or buying group, and staying within the
existing distribution chain," Chandrashekhar says. "We're not trying to
eliminate any portion of the current distribution chain-rather we're trying to
make it easier for the aftermarket to move beyond the outdated technology it
is now using to the advantages offered by the Internet."
Future phases of the Internet infrastructure GloPex is constructing
include customizing individual distributors' online catalogs for their
customers and offering business management software online for distributors to
use as needed.
For more information about the new infrastructure GloPex is building for
the automotive aftermarket, visit http://www.glopex.com.
GloPex is an independent, privately held company founded in 1999 in
Fremont, California. GloPex is developing an Internet infrastructure to
dramatically improve the ease and efficiency with which traditional automotive
aftermarket manufacturers, warehouse distributors, jobbers and installers can
conduct business without changing who they do business with or sacrificing
profit margins. The infrastructure will include a complete online, Web-based
electronic catalog covering major aftermarket manufacturers, an electronic
order-processing system, customized distributor catalogs, software
applications available as needed and a global parts exchange, all in a
commercially neutral Web environment. GloPex will provide a complete solution
for all of the aftermarket's information and communication needs in the buying
and selling arena.