The Evolution of the Automotive Aftermarket Outlook
The global automotive aftermarket is in a transformative era, driven by disruptive vehicle technologies, shifting consumer behaviors, new business models, and an increase in vehicles in operation (VIO). Frost & Sullivan’s research1 has identified the top transformations currently facing businesses in this market; these can serve as both challenges and new growth opportunities:
- Dealership downsizing, increased virtualization, and shifts to agency or direct-to-consumer models in order to counteract rising costs and shrinking margins.
- Expanding customer-focused solutions, including doorstep services and more convenient digitally based maintenance scheduling.
- Upgrading infrastructure, inventory, and services to address things like increases in VIO and EV expansion.
- Increasing spending on digital technologies that enable better customer touchpoints and optimized operations.
Our new VBook empowers you with actionable strategies that can help your business not only thrive, but lead the way forward in the aftermarket industry.
The Evolution of the Automotive Aftermarket Outlook
The global automotive aftermarket is in a transformative era, driven by disruptive vehicle technologies, shifting consumer behaviors, new business models, and an increase in vehicles in operation (VIO). Frost & Sullivan’s research1 has identified the top transformations currently facing businesses in this market; these can serve as both challenges and new growth opportunities:
- Dealership downsizing, increased virtualization, and shifts to agency or direct-to-consumer models in order to counteract rising costs and shrinking margins.
- Expanding customer-focused solutions, including doorstep services and more convenient digitally based maintenance scheduling.
- Upgrading infrastructure, inventory, and services to address things like increases in VIO and EV expansion.
- Increasing spending on digital technologies that enable better customer touchpoints and optimized operations.
Our new VBook empowers you with actionable strategies that can help your business not only thrive, but lead the way forward in the aftermarket industry.
Epicor Vision Distribution Management Solution
Aftermarket heavy duty parts distributors face a combination of challenges: growing demands from fleet managers, intensifying competition, supply chain complexity, and more. Continuing to manage your business for profitable growth requires a new level of sophistication, powered by technology that delivers agile tools that evolve right along with you.
Epicor Indago Warehouse Management System
Built specifically for dealership parts warehouses, Epicor® Indago™ Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a revolutionary, client- and mobile-based warehouse management system that helps locate parts, manage inventories, reduce unnecessary labor costs, and provide enhanced customer service capabilities.
Epicor Vision US Top 10 Advantages
Epicor® Vision® software is the automotive aftermarket’s most powerful and comprehensive distribution management solution, offering dozens of high value capabilities that help drive increased business efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness. The following are 10 of the most recognized leading reasons—and dozens of related software features—that have made Epicor Vision software the clear choice of today’s most successful parts stores, distributors and jobbers.
Data-Driven Parts Distributor
Data-focused companies have a unique insight advantage that can help prevent lost revenue and reduce unnecessary expenses. Leveraging data to make accurate, strategic decisions results in optimizing the supply chain, customer experiences, and business process improvements. However, many parts distributors have yet to unlock its value. If you want to become a “data-driven parts distributor” capable of transforming data into a powerful growth engine, this actionable guide is the place to start. We outline the seven key challenges preventing companies like yours from effectively collecting, organizing, analyzing, and acting on data and share practical advice on overcoming these roadblocks.
Automate Your Business Workflow Starting with Your Warehouse
In today’s Automotive aftermarket, knowing the location and status of every SKU at every moment is crucial to expediting orders and streamlining workflow. Indago WMS enables customers to maintain strict control over their ever-moving inventories. Some of the benefits we’ll cover are:
- Full visibility of the life cycle of the parts, helping accelerate the order cycle time.
- Improve the efficiency of dealer inventories at every business location, enabling users to reduce stocking requirements for many parts.
- Optimize the productivity of every warehouse employee and reduce total labor hours while increasing order fill.
Epicor Indago WMS
Epicor® Indago™ WMS is a revolutionary, client- and mobile-based warehouse management system that helps users save time, reduce inventory and labor costs, and increase customer service levels. Indago WMS enables customers to maintain strict control over their ever-moving inventories. Knowing the location and status of every SKU at every moment is crucial to expediting orders and streamlining workflow. The solution’s mobile applications empower team members to perform at peak efficiency through real-time RF terminals.
Kitting Brochure
Simplify standardized work for the operator with an easy-to-use, plug-n-play kitting and part picking solution. Help ensure the right part is delivered to the right place at the right time. Download our Kitting brochure and learn how to error proof and streamline material handling for almost any assembly process while collecting data along the way.
Key Takeaways:
- Supports various hardware needs such as plug-n-play I/O sensors and switches, barcode scanners, and vision systems.
- Unmatched flexibility and control – you are no longer locked into hardware or a rigid system.
- Quick and easy configurations – no programming needed.
- Maximize quality management and error proof both load and pick side.
Track & Trace Brochure
Manufacturing traceability is a critical requirement for industries globally to reduce risks, meet regulatory requirements, and stay competitive.
Epicor Connected Process Control provides a robust traceability and quality control software solution, helping manufacturers to easily store, retrieve, and report on part status and product genealogy. Download our Track & Trace brochure to get an in-depth overview of our traceability solution and how you can maximize quality and throughput on the plant floor while reducing costs.
Key Takeaways:
- To implement a traceability solution, parts or lots need to be marked.
- Our system allows for various tracking methods, from serial number barcode scans to RFID tags, or through PLC tasks – in any combination or order.
- With real-time data insight, teams can quickly identify quality or compliance issues, develop repair/rework strategies, and contain suspect parts – ensuring first time quality scores remain exceptional.
3 Examples of Real-World Results Using CPC
In the world of modern manufacturing, the strategic application of digital process control has proven to accelerate real improvements on the factory floor. In this eBook we’ll showcase how three companies leveraged Epicor Connected Process Control (CPC) software, offering insights into their specific use cases and implementation, as well as their outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how an electronics manufacturer was able to increase throughput by 38%.
- Discover how a company was able to decrease training times for new hires by more than 80%.
- Learn how an industrial pump manufacturer leveraged the system to gather data for ROI and asset allocation.
4 Steps to Accelerate Training & Onboarding with Digital Work Instructions
Staff shortages, high turnover, and long training and onboarding times continue to drive up labor costs and hinder efficiency. In our quick tips guide, learn how digital work instructions with standardized process control is revolutionizing manufacturing training. Discover 4 practical steps to help accelerate learning curves, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure seamless transition to the factory floor.
Key Takeaways:
- Review the limitations of traditional paper-based training.
- The opportunity modern technologies are providing manufacturers to help train new employees and upskill existing employees.
- Learn four practical steps to help develop faster and better training programs using digital work instructions – ultimately setting operators up for success.
Voice of the Essential Worker: Manufacturing 2024
Technology, supply chains, economic uncertainty—these issues define manufacturing today. So, what do frontline factory workers really think about them?
In this report, 600 frontline workers respond to questions about upskilling, technology, and workplace morale. Findings include:
- 39% say their company is “very modern.”
- 45% say morale at their company is high.
- 70% say their company is prioritizing upskilling.
Access the report to get all the insights, including actionable takeaways for manufacturing leaders.
What Do CFOs Need To Succeed, Now And In The Future?
Economic uncertainty has significantly elevated the importance of the CFO, according to a recent survey from IDC. Today's CFOs are responsible for enforcing financial discipline, capitalizing on new technology like AI, and managing costs efficiently—all while seeking answers to the big questions:
- Which tech helps us better understand our numbers?
- How can we improve profitability?
- How will we drive growth?
Access this white paper to learn how CFOs became strategic leaders—and what they're doing to enable business success.
Gain a Competitive Advantage with Part-on-the-Fly
In modern manufacturing, the ability to satisfy one-off customer needs without disrupting daily processes is critical. With Epicor Kinetic, manufacturers can maintain ERP flexibility through a feature called “part-on-the-fly.”
Access this eBook to learn how part-on-the-fly can help you stay agile and increase efficiency in a fast-moving, dynamic manufacturing environment.