Federal Mogul improves catalogue data with MAM and IFA

Discussions between Federal Mogul, MAM Software and the Independent Factors Association (IFA) lead to improved Autocat+ catalogue data

Printable version 22 January 2009

Representatives of MAM and the IFA recently met with Federal Mogul to discuss ways of improving the product information that is used by the IFA membership. In particular, the meeting sought to identify and address specific issues that IFA members face at the point-of-sale when catalogue data doesn't meet the required standards.

As a result of those discussions, which highlighted the need for completeness of each line of application information, Federal Mogul has been able to make very significant improvements to the Ferodo product data that members obtain from MAM's Autocat+ electronic parts catalogue.

Gary Shulman, IFA member and Blackburn Brakes Managing Director, was present at the meeting. "Good data is vitally important to us and we want to work with all our suppliers to make sure that they understand the problems we face at the counter. The effort Federal Mogul has put in following the meeting has already proven extremely valuable in improving their data and we hope other suppliers will work with us in the same way".

Alan Jenkins, Federal Mogul Sales Manager, comments "We are delighted to work with the IFA and MAM to improve the quality of our data. The specific examples provided by Blackburn Brakes proved invaluable in illustrating the issues the motor factor faces and I'm sure that the actions that we have taken will prove to be of significant benefit to all our customers".

Federal Mogul now uses the Elcome Xchecker catalogue management system to prepare their data for Autocat+. Xchecker has been a major contributor to the recent improvements. Using the MAM vehicle models index, it helps ensure that applications are correctly catalogued and that vehicle information is listed accurately. 

Keith Nicholls, Commercial Director at Elcome, says "Parts suppliers have approached us with a need to improve the quality of their parts catalogue information and speed the communication of any changes. Together with MAM's Autocat+, Xchecker gives Federal Mogul the capability to maintain their own product data and transmit amendments and additions to their customers almost immediately".

"The accuracy of data within parts catalogues is paramount if factors are to reduce returns" says MAM's Managing Director, Mike Jamieson. "The data format used for Autocat+ is rapidly becoming the industry standard. We are delighted to provide the structure and offer advice on how it can be used by suppliers to help them produce quality data for their customers".

Further information

For further details, please visit the following websites:

• MAM Software / Autocat+
• Independent Factors Association (IFA)
• Federal Mogul / Ferodo 
• Elcome / Xchecker