KCS answers questions about Rain Data acquisition

Following the announcement of Kerridge Commercial Systems’ takeover of Rain Data, we had the opportunity to put some questions to KCS Managing Director UK and Ireland, James Mitchell.

Q. How will Rain Data’s solutions integrate with existing KCS systems?

A. “Rain Data provides a number of services to help OE and aftermarket parts suppliers with their catalogue data. This may involve helping a supplier to map its data to a vehicle index for the first time, mapping supplier catalogue from one index to another (TecDoc to MAM MMI) or analysing supplier catalogue data against a vehicle index to identify range gaps.

“KCS already utilises a number of these services on behalf of catalogue subscribers and will look to grow them.”

Q. Will there be any disruptions during the integration process?

A. “None whatsoever. Rain Data and KCS are already closely aligned having worked together for over 10 years. The integration process will allow us to become closer, and, at the same time, help Rain Data to focus entirely on their unique skills.”

How will this acquisition improve our operational efficiency?

A. “There are some small savings to be made in administration, but Rain Data already operate in a highly efficient manner, which is why they have an excellent proposition for parts suppliers. The KCS R&D, data, product, IT and security teams will work closely with the Rain Data team on an ongoing basis to ensure that our data customers receive the best products and services available in the market.”

Q. Will there be any changes to the pricing of KCS and Rain Data services or products?

A. “No prices will change as a result of the KCS acquisition of Rain Data. The terms of all existing contracts will remain in place.”

Q. What kind of support will be available during and after the integration of Rain Data’s solutions?

A. “The support provided to our OE and aftermarket suppliers will not be impacted by the acquisition and will continue as normal. Our customers will have access to both the KCS and Rain Data support teams where necessary to resolve any issues and answer any questions.”

Q. How will the acquisition impact data management practices?

A. “Rain Data’s philosophy is to simplify the management of catalogue data for parts suppliers by removing the pain of mapping, checking and publishing data. Rain Data will continue to provide this core function but will expand by adding a number of exciting new solutions to its product portfolio. More details to follow in due course.”

Q. How will Rain Data’s PIM solutions enhance suppliers’ current product data management?

A. “Both Rain Data’s Codex system and KCS’s Automate Online system provide OE and aftermarket parts suppliers with the ability to manage their catalogue data and publish it to catalogue applications and other destinations such as websites, marketplaces and so on. Moving forward, KCS will enhance these products to help parts suppliers gain a better understanding of where vehicles and applications are in their lifecycle, how popular they are, product performance against the rest of the market and other analytics and insights to help parts supplier determine their production and/or stocking levels.

“Additionally, as KCS continues to grow into new regions and expand into new verticals, Rain Data’s expertise will be utilised to help with product and catalogue data management for all vehicle applicated and non-applicated parts across the globe.”