Bosch improves data with Elcome and MAM

Bosch Automotive is the latest in a line of suppliers that are benefiting from using Elcome and MAM to maintain and publish their catalogue data

Printable version 01 October 2008

Bosch Automotive, one of the UK's leading suppliers of automotive parts, is the latest in a line of suppliers to turn to MAM Software and Elcome in order to simplify the maintenance and distribution of their catalogue data.

Bosch is now using Elcome's Xchecker online management system to maintain its parts catalogue data. This information is passed directly to MAM's Autocat+ parts catalogue for immediate distribution to its customers. Not only is this process improving the accuracy of the data Bosch provides to its customers, it is also significantly shortening the time it takes to distribute amendments and additions to the market.

"Motor factors are under increasing pressure to supply the right parts first time" said Robin Shaw, Divisional Director at Bosch Automotive. "High return rates introduce massive costs to many of our customers. Handling parts twice, increased inventory and reduced customer confidence are some of the most clearly noticeable impacts".

"We're therefore doing all we can to help keep our customers' returns to a minimum. Using Elcome's Xchecker solution, we've got total control over our car parts data. The MAM vehicles index has helped us standardise our information across all our product ranges and the control options within the system give us full flexibility over our final output. Crucially, Xchecker's direct export to MAM's Autocat+ means we can publish product updates to our customers almost immediately. As a result our customers now receive higher quality data on a more regular basis. They're happier, and they're
spending more" continued Mr. Shaw.

"Companies like Bosch are listening to their customers and taking action to improve their data" added Tim Enwistle, Elcome's Managing Director. "There is a growing demand for parts suppliers to increase the accuracy of their catalogue information and speed the communication of any changes. Our solution gives Bosch the capability to transmit catalogue amendments and additions to their customers almost immediately".

"The accuracy of the data within parts catalogues is paramount if factors are to reduce returns" said MAM's Managing Director, Mike Jamieson. "Over the past twelve months we've put considerable effort into improving the quality of Autocat+ data and the efficiency of the publication process. With the support of suppliers like Bosch, we're able to work towards our goal of achieving universal first-time-fit."

According to Mr. Jamieson, the key to successful catalogue management is the deployment of a common makes and models index. "As more and more suppliers use the MAM index, we're beginning to see a standard emerging. By sharing a common index across applications like Xchecker and Autocat+, not only is data management simplified, cross referencing is more practical and it’s easier for suppliers to identify gaps in their range. "

About Autocat+

Autocat+ is the industry-leading electronic parts catalogue, designed to quickly and accurately identify components for a given vehicle and application. Developed and maintained by MAM Software, it collates automotive component data from multiple manufacturers and presents it in a consistent format, making it easier to identify and compare products.

Read more at http://www.mamsoft.co.uk

About Elcome

Based in Swindon, Wiltshire, Elcome is a leading provider of catalogue maintenance solutions. Working across multiple-media boundaries, Elcome's comprehensive range of services include catalogue production, bespoke CD development and Internet solutions.

Read more at http://www.elcome.co.uk/