Profile Systems' MasterDepot Selected as Product Data Infrastructure for Heavy-Duty Truck Parts, Automotive and Industrial Verticals
21 November 2000
Profile Systems' MasterDepot Selected as Product Data Infrastructure for Heavy-Duty Truck Parts, Automotive and Industrial Verticals
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Nov. 21, 2000--MasterDepot(TM) will allow industry manufacturers and distributors to
synchronize product and pricing data electronically and
cost-effectively engage in electronic commerce
Profile Systems, a leading B2B e-commerce technology provider, has been selected by HDeXchange (HDX) to develop and operate an industry data warehouse (IDW) for leading manufacturers and distributors of repair parts for heavy duty trucks and vehicles. HDX is a newly formed independent, non profit organization created to promote, develop and disseminate common electronic commerce standards and business practices within this $9 billion a year industry.
The HDX e-commerce initiative was formally launched on November 10 at the Fall meeting of the Council of Fleet Specialists (CFS), an international trade association representing over 300 manufacturers and distributors within the heavy duty parts aftermarket. Over 30 of the industry's leading manufacturers and distributors, including Bendix Truck Brake Systems, Chicago Rawhide, Drive Train Industries, Haldex Midland Services, Harman Heavy Vehicle Specialists, Kroeger Equipment & Supply, Midwest Wheel Co., and Stemco, Inc. have agreed to participate in HDX. Interested companies may contact Margaret Walker at HDX at 816-421-6404 or by visiting http://www.hdexchange.com.
For the HDX IDW, Profile Systems has created an industry-specific Product Descriptor Database as well as Product Information Exchange Standards (PIES) documents. This functionality will allow participating manufacturers and distributors to automatically and regularly exchange product and pricing data electronically -- via MasterDepot -- to and from their internal business systems, thus reducing transaction costs and inefficiencies. The IDW will ultimately consist of product and pricing data for over 500,000 industry SKU's.
"We are delighted by the response from our industry's leading manufacturers and distributors," says Margaret Walker, General Manager of HDX. "This cooperative effort among the industry's trading partners is unprecedented. The enthusiasm is a testament to the commitment these firms have to the aftermarket's success as a whole. It also confirms the business model selected, primarily partnering with best-of-breed solution providers -- Profile Systems and Internet Commerce Corporation. With Profile System's MasterDepot we have something that has always been missing for efficient and effective e-commerce for all supply chain entities -- full and rich synchronized product and pricing data."
"We applaud HDX's effort," says Ed Heon, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Profile Systems. "Our PIES standards are being embraced by other organizations within the automotive aftermarket. We are confident that manufacturers and distributors will find that the benefits of engaging in the IDW will be readily apparent, in terms of reduced transaction costs and strengthening existing trading partner relationships."
About Profile Systems, Inc.
A privately-held company, Profile Systems has been serving the B2B electronic commerce marketplace since 1994, offering software solutions for product synchronization, automatic replenishment and catalog data management. The company is currently developing and managing IDW initiatives in a number of industries, including medical products, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), and grocery. The company is a founding member of the Ariba Content Delivery and Discovery Services program, as well as an IBM technology partner. For more information, contact Profile Systems, Inc., 123 Interstate Drive, West Springfield, MA 01089. Telephone Profile Systems at 413-737-2000 or visit their corporate web site at www.profilesys.com.