Delphi Internet Catalog Breaks New Ground For Automotive Aftermarket e-Business and Service
2 November 2000
LAS VEGAS - Delphi Automotive Systems announced it will launch one of the
first global Internet catalogs for the automotive aftermarket industry.
Delphi's new Internet catalog will be an on-line product library that
provides Delphi customers with personalized access to real time, global
product, service and technical information from around the world, 24 hours a
day.
"Delphi's Internet catalog is part of an integrated e-commerce
application," said Susan K. Lawrence, chief information officer, Delphi
Aftermarket Operations. "This plug-and-play Internet catalog module will
serve as the foundation for Delphi's future integrated business-to-business e-
commerce solutions. Delphi will be a recognized leader in using business-to-
business e-commerce to support our customers."
The Internet catalog is also an integral part of Delphi's strategy to
provide superior diagnostic and service support to its channel partners.
"Delphi's Internet catalog is a critical step toward our goal to develop
the 'garage of the future,'" said Louis R. Merz, director, global sales and
marketing, Delphi Aftermarket Operations. "Delphi, a leader in vehicle
communications, will use telematics to link the vehicle with the garage,
allowing remote diagnostics and early identification of potential problems.
Our Internet catalog's parts data and service information will integrate with
those applications, providing one-stop product, information and service
support to our aftermarket customers."
The Internet catalog architecture allows Delphi to create a customized
user interface. Users can choose to view the products and services in their
preferred language (including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian
and German) and currency. Delphi's Internet catalog will go on-line in 2001
as part of a new Delphi customer extranet. This system's open architecture
will enable Delphi to quickly implement new technologies such as wireless and
trade exchange integration via a single system.
"Designed specifically for the Internet, Delphi's Internet catalog model
is more efficient than traditional print or CD-ROM catalogs that are posted on
the Internet," said Lawrence. "Updated information will quickly become
available in real time to customers -- saving time and money for our
distribution partners globally. Although Internet ready, the Internet catalog
will also support our customer's traditional CD-ROM and paper catalog needs.
Our Internet catalog will use the Internet's speed and functionality to
greatly simplify doing business with Delphi."
When complete, Delphi's Internet catalog library will include detailed
product attachments such as dynamic buyer's guides, multi-view photos, product
videos, exploded parts assembly views with hot-spot links, labor time, service
manuals and bulletins, training manuals and online instruction, installation
instructions, published price schedules and more. The Internet catalog's
single-source content management also ensures data accuracy and integrity.
Other features of the Internet catalog include robust search capabilities
by vehicle make and model, vehicle identification numbers (VIN) and look-up by
repair service. It will incorporate industry standards such as the Automotive
Aftermarket Industry Association's (AAIA) vehicle make and model tables,
vehicle market data and repair service guides.
Multi-national Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy,
Michigan, USA, Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in mobile
electronics and transportation components and systems technology. Delphi's
three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately 216,000
employees and operates 184 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 44 joint
ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices, and 31 technical centers in
40 countries.