Activant continues to lead way in solutions to help aftermarket stem escalating returns rates
July 30, 2006 –In response to the escalating rate of parts returns blighting the aftermarket, Activant Solutions have launched Cover-to-Cover, a new and innovative online enhanced parts database.
Cover-to-Cover helps parts resellers make a “fit first time” part selection and is designed to drive down these unacceptable rates of return and as a consequence provide a real competitive edge.
Building on a successful experience in North America, the Cover-to-Cover rollout into the UK aftermarket has been accelerated by Activant. Cover-to-Cover extends the powerful MasterCat electronic parts catalogue, providing more in-depth information and data such as high quality parts graphics, specifications, warranty information and manufacturer data sheets, allowing the user to pinpoint their exact part requirement.
It is commonly accepted that one of the most critical issues for motor factors is the escalating rate of parts returns, whether this simply being incorrect supply or delivering dual- or even triple-choice parts, with some feedback suggesting the trend could be as high as 30 percent. And, with an average invoice costing £6 to generate, matched upwards of 160 credit returns per day, it becomes clear where immediate efficiencies can be gained for factors.
Cover-to-Cover helps to reduce the time that a parts person currently needs to search a variety of sources to make the part selection by concentrating information to one point and in one common look and feel. This coupled together with the ability to print or email such information from Cover-to-Cover directly to the part installer, again demonstrates the power of MasterCat and Cover-to-Cover working together.
Activant Marketing Manager, Mark Holcombe, said: “The launch of Cover-To-Cover is a direct response to our research which indicates that nearly 30 percent of parts sold are returned. Cover-To-Cover is free of charge and widely accessible as Activant has taken responsibility in helping customers achieve considerable savings – of up to thousands of pounds – by reducing parts returns.”
Activant Solutions Inc. (“Activant”) is a leading technology provider of vertical business management solutions serving small and medium-sized retail and wholesale distribution businesses. The company serves three primary vertical markets: automotive aftermarket; hardlines and lumber; and wholesale distribution.
Founded in 1972, Activant provides customers with tailored proprietary software, professional services, content, supply chain connectivity, and analytics. More than 30,000 customer locations use an Activant solution to manage their day-to-day operations.
Activant has operations in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Canada, France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit www.activant.com.
The statements contained in this document which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements as to industry trends, future products or services, and products or service line growth or performance. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to risks. Actual results may differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include but are not limited to unrealized market demand for our services, the ability to retain the people performing services, and those risks and uncertainties identified in Activant's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K which has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Activant assumes no duty to update information contained in this document at any time.
