 |
|
| The SEMA Business Technology Committee will hold an educational workshop entitled, “Decoding the Benefits of Accurate Product Data” at the 2010 International Motor Industry Show and 2010 Performance Racing Industry Show. |
Motor State Distributing will be the presenting sponsor of two seminars on behalf of the SEMA Business Technology Committee (BTC), which will be held at the 2010 International Motor Industry Show (IMIS) and the 2010 Performance Racing Industry Show (PRI). At each event, the SEMA BTC will hold an educational workshop entitled, “Decoding the Benefits of Accurate Product Data.”
SEMA wants you to know about the latest news and changes regarding properly applying industry best practices toward the distribution and overall content of your company’s product information. Many companies in the performance and racing industry are using standardized product data to increase sales, lower returns and improve product exposure. In this session, they’ll focus on how using a standardized product information format allows everyone to sell more parts. They will cover the basics and also more advanced areas of product data including:
• The essential pieces of product information required today, including digital assets.
• The importance of information quality and accuracy.
• Real-life examples that show how bad information can cause problems, including legal issues and recent North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) changes for 2010.
• Methods to populate and share data, including the new 2010 Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) requirements.
• Why so many companies have already adopted data standards—and the benefits they have gained.
This seminar is in easy-to-understand language and the presentation will demonstrate how to format and manage product information required by today’s distribution channel.
Each seminar will be hosted by Scott O’Toole, principal and founder of RPM Data Services located in southwest Michigan, a leader in the field of product data solutions concentrating on the high-performance, racing and accessory aftermarket parts distribution segment.
O’Toole, a 28-plus-year veteran of the performance and OEM industry, has held key management positions in both the product manufacturing and wholesale distribution sectors before starting his own private company in 2010.
Since 2006, he has volunteered his time working with SEMA’s BTC to help the performance industry promote and adopt both the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES) and Aftermarket Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES), developed by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) as an open standard for the automotive aftermarket. In late 2010, he was selected to serve on the AAIA Technology Standards and Solutions Committee.
O’Toole is a regular speaker at many industry conferences and trade shows, including the SEMA Show, Hotrod & Restoration Show, Aftermarket eForum, IMIS, National Catalog Managers Association (NCMA) and PRI.
IMIS Show Date and Time:
Date: Thursday, December 2, 2010
Time: 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting Room #109
PRI Show Date and Time:
Date: Friday, December 10, 2010
Time: 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting Room S 320 H
Hotrod & Restoration Show Date and Time:
Date: Thursday, March 17, 2011
Time: 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Location: TBD
Please mark your calendars, and be sure to make time in your schedule to attend. After all, it’s all about working smarter through technology and achieving the overall goal of selling more parts.
If you have questions about these seminars, please e-mail Scott O’Toole at RPM Data Services or Staci Bostock, or call 909/978-6693.