Motorcraft has announced the addition of R.O. Writer Shop Management Software compatibility to eCounter, its leading aftermarket eCommerce engine. According to Motorcraft, this will make the system more robust than ever for Ford Authorized Distributors (FADs) and independent repair facilities.

Lori Dunn, Motorcraft national marketing manager, explained that the enhancement offers a major advantage in terms of the ease with which customers will be able to update their R.O. Writer Smart eCat catalog configuration for fast, accurate results. "Built on DST TurboParts technology, eCounter is a bolt-on custom solution that is already compatible with the computer systems and software our distributors are running," Dunn said.

This latest solution offers a number of useful benefits, according to Dunn.

“Linking to eCounter directly from within the R.O. Writer Shop Management System will make it possible for shops using Epicor data to connect to our eCommerce engine quickly from repair orders, allowing them to interact with the Electronic Catalog, Buyer’s Guide and Interchange to perform stock checks and order parts at their specific pricing from parts distributors who also use our eCommerce engine,” she said.

For those searching for parts for all makes, Dunn adds, “We have made it possible for customers whose parts distributors are also compatible with eCounter to further automate their businesses by offering advanced eCommerce functionality, whether they handle fewer than 10 work orders a day or more than a hundred."

The fact that both eCounter and R.O. Writer are built data from Epicor (formerly Activant) is great news, according to Stan Gowisnock, president and CEO of DST. He said, “The fact that product orders will seamlessly transfer onto customer repair orders will enhance shop operations by helping to reduce costs and improve accuracy.”

Independent repair facilities that would like access to eCounter should contact their Ford Authorized Distributor.