Robert Bosch LLC, Automotive Aftermarket division, offers a wide array of products for domestic, Asian and European vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Not surprisingly, delivering the right product and application data to the right customer, dealer or partner at the right time is a tremendous challenge. Even more so is keeping this massive amount of data for such a large product offering up-to-date for all vehicle models available in North America.
At Bosch, the responsibility for this critical task rests with the Data Management team – a group of 23 full-time associates who work out of the company’s Broadview office, but also are in touch with their counterparts in Germany and Mexico.
“Our customers require quick delivery of current, complete and correct data to stay competitive in today’s marketplace,” said Michael Stoll, director, data management, Robert Bosch LLC. “With over 100,000 part numbers in our independent aftermarket (IAM) and original equipment service (OES) channels, including components, keeping the information current is a major undertaking.”
According to Stoll, timely updates are a must. With increasing customer expectations, rapidly changing database and delivery technologies, growing number of vehicle configurations and complexity of vehicle systems, Stoll’s team has to work consistently at a very high level to manage a tremendous volume of data to deliver information to customers and partners in the field. Furthermore, different customers and markets require information in different formats.
“While ACES and PIES are becoming common industry formats for data delivery, there are still customers who have their own specific formats and requirements,” said Stoll. “In fact, even within the framework of ACES and PIES, there are numerous customer-specific variations that further complicate the task of delivering data.
“For this purpose, Bosch has developed special tools to make it quicker and easier for customers to identify Bosch products and part numbers,” said Stoll.
Bosch has been the pioneer in delivering mobile apps for products and application data, including a VIN code scanner, to the aftermarket. The new Bosch North American Vehicle Part Finder, for example, has up-to-date product and vehicle information, including a link to the BoschAutoParts.com website with 360-degree images for many of the product lines.
“Our system also automatically creates a buyer’s guide which feeds the New Product Communication process that provides customers with new product introduction information,” Stoll said.
Furthermore, Stoll and his team are continuing to improve the direct interface with Bosch customer catalog experts which also provides a close customer relationship regarding data management and keeps their product offering up-to-date and accurate.
For more information on the wide array of products that Bosch offers its aftermarket customers, visit http://www.boschautoparts.com.
Bosch is a proud supporter of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association’s Know Your Parts\ education and awareness campaign. This initiative promotes the importance of quality brand name aftermarket parts backed by full service suppliers, and its impact on delivering reliable products to today’s motorists. For more information visit: www.AASAKnowYourParts.org.
