What is ACES and how does it affect your auto parts business?
Not sure why your files are not compliant? Not to worry. You are at the right place.
Let’s first understand ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standards) data standards.
What is ACES?
ACES was discovered and created by the Auto Care Association and initially, it was known as the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). ACES enables businesses to sell their components through an Internet store. They accomplish this by keeping track of and exchanging part numbers and fitment data among subscribers. It can be elucidated as a car aftermarket industry standard for catalog data management and exchange. Manufacturers are capable of sending and receiving product data via vehicle apps which are globally accepted. These are inclusive of year, make, model, and other similar parameters.
ACES is divided into the following databases:
The vehicle configuration database (Vcdb): This database consists of more than 60,000 combinations of year/make/model vehicles from several countries like the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is maintained by the Auto Care Association once every month. ACES is the link between a part number and a particular vehicle that may be found in the VCDB.
Parts Configuration Database (PCdb): This database is part of the ACES standard. It consists of a list of all component types and various categories along with replacement parts, service items, and other similar goods available in the aftermarket industry. This database enables manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to build their vehicle catalogs quickly and easily.
Moreover, it provides various benefits that will affect your business in a fortunate way. It will help to flourish sales of your business efficiently.
The benefits of using ACES are as follows:
It ensures whether parts fit correctly on vehicles or not, this helps in reducing the number of returns retailers receive.
It enables vendors to find and share fitment data easily and seamlessly.
The availability of data in a consistent format, allows businesses to use it easily and hassle-free.
ACES contains information about vehicle make, model, year, and engine.
Auto Parts businesses that are not making use of ACES are deprived of an advantage and lose the opportunity to be competitive and successful.
Helps in curtailing the costs pertaining to managing and distributing fitment data.
Businesses need to attain certain requirements to be associated with the ACES program; for instance, submitting their catalogs in an electronic format that is compliant with the standard.
Besides, you need to manage ACES fitment data. Fitment data includes an updated database related to the vehicle like make, model, year, and engine information. This guides the user to buy the perfectly fitting part of the vehicle. By using this catalog, auto parts retailers can be sure that the part they are purchasing will accurately fit their customers’ vehicles or not. This reduces the possibility of returning. Those who are not utilizing the benefits of ACES get more returns and dissatisfied customers.
Get your product data organized easily with PCFitment
If you are an auto parts manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, it’s important to understand how ACES works and how you can get its utmost benefits. It is certainly crucial for automotive aftermarket businesses to adjust their products and configure them in line with the customer requirements.
PCFitment powered by PartsConnect can be proven as the best guidance and partner for the successful growth of your aftermarket auto parts eCommerce business. We have years of expertise in managing Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and all the marketplaces ACES and ACES (XML) fitment data proficiently. The benefit of using PCFitment is because it uses ACES fitment data, you can reduce the total number of lost sales and costly returns which increases your profit. PCFitment is one such product that provides all the possible information including year make and model at your fingertips. Our software works effectively by eliminating the inaccuracies that you would face maintaining your catalogs. PCFitment will also submit your fitment data to Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and other different marketplaces so that your customers can find your auto parts through the auto parts finder. Allow PartsConnect to be one of your successful fitment partners and take your business to the next level. PartsConnect is here to help you as your automotive product data expert. We’ll be glad to get you started.