Press Releases

Press Releases

Activant Sees eCatalog Data as 'Engine' For Powerful New Market Intelligence Tools

Company to Help WDs and Repair Shops Optimize Local Product Assortments, Services Based on Parts Replacement Trends

LAS VEGAS, NV, Nov. 3, 2009 – The future of the aftermarket electronic catalog will feature not only faster availability of an ever-growing set of replacement parts data, but also an array of sophisticated new market intelligence tools for use by distributors, jobbers and service dealers, according to Activant Solutions Inc.

Activant has announced that it is extending its suite of full channel intelligence solutions to help aftermarket businesses identify and address emerging sales and service needs based on data derived from thousands of parts counters and service desks. At the center of this new capability are Activant's industry leading replacement parts database and eCatalog solutions, which are used at nearly 30,000 automotive “decision points” across North America.

“The winners in most businesses are those who know the customer best,” said Thomas V. Aliotti, senior vice president, automotive, Activant Solutions. “In the aftermarket that means having the information necessary to sell the right part at the right price and the right place and time. Thanks to the broad acceptance of Activant data and eCatalogs and the increased sophistication of our aftermarket data warehouse, we can now close the gap between what our customers believe they should carry and what their markets really need.”

Activant has already announced its agreement with R.L. Polk & Company to offer Activant® Vista® Replacement Rate Intelligence solutions featuring vehicle data integrated with daily electronic catalog transactions. These solutions include the new Vista Catalog Coverage Monitor and Inventory Modeling tools, which will assist manufacturers in product planning and distributors in inventory optimization. These solutions will be available soon and can be viewed in both Activant's 2009 AAPEX booth (#2035) and Polk's booth (#838). Activant has also developed a variety of additional e-modeling tools that will help distributors generate more effective product assortments for each of their store locations. These assortments are based on the companies' preferred brands and category management practices as well as the latest parts consumption trends by application and geographical location.

The same intelligence could be applied at the installer level, where service writers and technicians could advise customers of emerging maintenance and repair needs associated with specific vehicle makes and models, according to Aliotti.

“In all cases, we will focus on delivering information to help drive sales and margin at the point of decision,” he said. “The distributor and jobber will be able to base their inventory choices on actual market behavior by application and part number. The counter professional and service dealer can add value to their customer relationships through an entirely new level of market insight. And this rapidly emerging capability will be built around an existing infrastructure featuring the industry's most widely used parts database and eCatalog solutions.”

The Activant PartExpert® replacement parts database consists of nearly 8 million parts across approximately 2,600 product lines from more than 800 manufacturers. This database is utilized by distributors, jobber professionals and service dealers who rely on an Activant eCatalog interface or any of several leading shop management systems or eCommerce solutions.

For additional information regarding the Activant eCatalog and market intelligence solutions, please visit Activant's 2009 AAPEX exhibit (#2035) in Las Vegas, contact your Activant representative, or call (800) 380-9015.

About Activant Solutions

Activant Solutions Inc. is a leading technology provider of business management solutions serving small and medium-sized distributors and specialty retailers. Activant provides customers with industry-specific software, professional services, content, supply chain connectivity, and analytics. Over 30,000 customer locations use Activant to manage their day-to-day operations. Activant's systems are designed to help customers increase sales, boost productivity, operate more cost-efficiently, improve inventory turns and enhance trading partner relationships. Headquartered in Livermore, California, Activant has operations in Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit www.activant.com.

This announcement relating to Activant may contain statements that are forward looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, such as statements concerning trends, future technology or products, or Activant's execution. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which could materially affect the company's results, including, without limitation, market demand for products and technology, the company's ability to meet that market demand, the integration of Activant's technology and products with technology and products supplied by others, the integration of Activant's products into the businesses of its customers, customer acceptance of Activant's products, and the retention and deployment of skilled Activant service providers. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or publicly revise any of the forward-looking statements. Please refer to our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2009, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 12, 2009, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008, both of which can be found through the Activant investor relations website at www.activant.com/company/investors, for a full discussion of the risks and other factors.

Note: Activant, Activant Vision, Vista, PartExpert, and the Activant stylized logo design are registered trademarks of Activant Solutions Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contact:
Drew Shippy
Pinnacle Communication Group
Tel: 330.688.3500
drew@pinnmedia.com