Do digital tools and data analytics drive growth?
Factor Sales, Autoelectro, SMP Europe and Elcome have all helped to answer this very question. All with different thoughts but all with the same goal: using digital tools to make life simpler for their customers.
Factor Sales Business Development Manager, Alex Jenner, believes the “rapidly transforming digital age” presents many opportunities – none more so than in customer relations.
He said: “Data analytics is becoming more and more targeted to the end users, their wants, needs, and desires can be predicted before even the consumer recognises them.”
Alex claimed the use and power of data is an “often underutilised” tool, but by using purchasing history, decision making patterns, and overall market trends, the supply chain can work together to improve their offerings and services.
Let’s talk about quality
Harnek Bhogal of Autoelectro, meanwhile, believes the first and most important piece of data analysis that the remanufacturer uses is for quality purposes.
He said: “We go on about quality because we place such an importance on it. At Autoelectro we collect and analyse data every single day, pertaining to details about our products and the remanufacturing process.
“This allows us to identify trends and patterns related to old core returns among specific part numbers; we then use our ability to strip, inspect and test exchange parts to get straight to the root causes of recurring faults. This proactive approach allows us to offer invaluable insights into potential issues associated with specific engines or vehicle makes and models, remanufacturing a part to meet, or even exceed, OE-specification.”
Harnek also emphasised the importance of data to stay on-top of stockholding and inventory – he said: “We are well-known in the industry for our availability – not just in the rotating product sector, but in the automotive aftermarket as a whole. Our use of data is key to this. We are constantly analysing our own historical sales data, alongside current market trends, to optimise our inventory level. This is to ensure we have the right parts in stock at the right time, minimising our overheads in terms of inventory, whilst also meeting every single customer demand.
“We also analyse our own customer data, such as purchasing behavior and preferences, as well as branch level feedback, which enable us to gain valuable insights into customer needs and preferences to ensure we are meeting the extraordinarily high standards we set ourselves.
“This also allows us to predict where the market may go to ensure that we are the best placed rotating supplier for where the future lies. I think this can be best seen by the move towards 48V mild hybrid alternators, as we are currently the only supplier of rotating electrics in the UK offering 48V applications to the aftermarket – we have a full range now available.”
Online ordering made easy
Another way to utilise digital tools is to streamline processes with online ordering portals – and that is exactly what SMP Europe has introduced: it now provides customers with easy and quick access to placing orders of its engine management product range and new next-day delivery for its international customers.
The online ordering portal has been created to provide non-TecCom customers the ability to send purchase orders electronically as express or stock orders to the company directly.
The brand has provided a step-by-step guide on how to use it and the portal can be accessed here.
The new platform will support international customers with access to SMP Europe’s next-day delivery express service in Europe, allowing them to order up to three parts for fast delivery of parts.
SMP Europe Marketing Director, Martin Turner, said: “We are so pleased to add this great service for our customers. Providing the ability to order online is so important in today’s fast moving digital world.
“It also means that a whole host of new customers will be able to enjoy the benefits of express orders from SMP Europe to ensure we’re offering the very best quality when it comes to customer service.”
Don’t forget cataloguing!
Elcome has revealed that its cataloguing software, Xchecker, can now deliver digital data via the new Instant Data Processing (IDP) delivery process introduced by TecDoc, providing customers a “smooth transition in data distribution”.
Elcome claimed the biggest change in data delivery is happening with TecDoc’s new IDP delivery process. With this new process, manufacturers can update and transfer their catalogue data to TecDoc in real-time, ensuring that product information is published and made available instantly for customers.
Elcome reassured that Xchecker already has TecDoc’s IDP integrated, which will offer “seamless transitioning” to the latest in data delivery. This allows parts manufacturers to streamline their data delivery process, eliminate manual errors, and ensure that their product information is accurate and up-to-date.
TecAlliance Executive Vice President of Data Manager Products, Jürgen Mehlis, said: “We deeply appreciate Elcome’s partnership with TecDoc and congratulate the team for successfully integrating the new TecDoc IDP API with its Xchecker system.
“Elcome’s feedback and collaboration has been invaluable throughout this process, and we look forward to continuing our journey together towards greater success.”
Oliver Haywood, Head of Sales and Marketing at Elcome, added: “Now is the time for suppliers and manufacturers to review the way they manage catalogue information. For Elcome customers, we’ve already done the hard work for them as we’re ready for TecDoc’s IDP change.
“Elcome is committed to always staying at the forefront of industry developments and providing our clients with the tools they need to succeed and drive growth.”
MARKETING: By segmenting customer groups according to their interactions, it allows for more effective targeted campaigns and promotions
FORECASTING: Stock levels and product ranges can be predicted by analysing seasonal buying patterns, outside factors, and historical data
DYNAMIC PRICING: Pricing can become much more proactive, as businesses gain a real-time picture of the market allowing for maximised profits
CUSTOMER RELATIONS: Personalised engagement becomes much easier enhancing satisfaction and, in turn, loyalty.
