Heavy-Duty Automotive Aftermarket Internet Trading Exchange Launched; Profile Systems and Research Triangle Commerce, Inc. Selected as Best-of-Breed Solutions
13 December 2000
Heavy-Duty Automotive Aftermarket Internet Trading Exchange Launched; Profile Systems and Research Triangle Commerce, Inc. Selected as Best-of-Breed Solutions
KANSAS CITY, Mo.--Dec. 13, 2000--Leading manufacturers, distributors and dealers of repair parts for heavy duty trucks and vehicles have joined together to launch HDeXchange --http://www.hdexchange.com -- (HDX), to allow trading partners within the $9 billion a year industry to effectively and economically participate in e-commerce, using open, industry-wide standards.HDX is partnering with two best-of-breed solutions providers, Research Triangle Commerce, Inc. (RTCI) -- http://www.rtci.com -- of Cary, North Carolina and Profile Systems -- http://www.profilesys.com of West Springfield, Massachusetts to provide a range of technology services and support, allowing aftermarket trading partners to improve productivity and reduce operating costs.
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., are members of the HDX pilot program. Nineteen additional companies in the industry have subscribed to HDX since the pilot program was completed recently.
For HDX, Profile Systems has created an Industry Data Warehouse (IDW), which is a central web-based repository for all manufacturer product information, based on customized Product Information Exchange Standards (PIES) developed by the company. This IDW will enable participating manufacturers and distributors to automatically and regularly exchange current, synchronized product and pricing data electronically-- via Profile's MasterDepot(TM) -- to and from their internal business systems, thus reducing transaction costs and inefficiencies. This industry data warehouse (IDW) will ultimately consist of product and pricing data for over 500,000 industry SKU's.
For HDX, RTCI provides a "store and forward" service for EDI transactions between members. These EDI transactions include purchase orders, order acknowledgments, advance ship notices, invoices and VMI transactions (stocking plans, daily inventory status, etc.). Unique from a typical value-added network (VAN), this store and forward service enables participants to perform an optional `any to any' translation service on the transactions and results in huge cost savings on transaction fees. The HDX trading exchange will be hosted on a network provided by Internet Commerce Corporation, the parent company of RTCI.
"In RTCI and Profile Systems, we have selected two highly regarded best-of-breed technology companies," says Margaret Walker, General Manager of HDeXchange. "Their combined services will enable our participants to truly benefit from e-commerce, by realizing tremendous efficiencies in various transaction-related functions, including purchasing, order fulfillment, invoicing, inventory control, and shipping."
"What appeals to me is the simplicity of its functionality in transferring the documents, along with the Industry Data Warehouse capabilities. The fees for HDeXchange are a real bargain," says Frank Szabo, vice president of Ohio Diesel Fleet Supply. Adds David Settles, President of Weldon Parts., Inc., "Our biggest obstacle to undertaking electronic commerce in a serious way was knowing where to begin. Our subscription to HDX puts us immediately into the mainstream and propels us toward where we need to be."
Companies interested in participating in, or learning more about, HDX may contact Margaret Walker at HDX at 816-421-2600 or visit http://www.hdexchange.com.
About HDeXchange (HDX)
HDX is an independent, not-for-profit organization formed in March 2000 by leading heavy duty automotive parts manufacturers and distributors. HDX's mission is to promote, develop and disseminate common electronic commerce standards and business practices within the $9 billion a year heavy duty automotive aftermarket industry. provides cost-effective, neutral and secure transactions between trading partners.
About Research Triangle Commerce, Inc.
RTCI is an infrastructure solutions provider serving the business-to-business e-commerce market. RTCI provides companies with the foundation and structure to conduct business electronically through a continuum of services including e-commerce education, data transformation mapping, and custom application development. For more information, contact RTCI at 919-657-1500 or visit their web site at http://www.rtci.com.
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 http://www.profilesys.com.