Bethesda, Md.--The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has announced the general release of version 3.0 of the industry standard for electronic catalog data. The Aftermarket Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES) begins the new decade with technology that completely supports the management and exchange of application catalog content, including digital assets, for a wider range of vehicle classes.
"ACES is the de facto industry standard for electronic catalog content in North America," said Scott Luckett, vice president for technology standards, AAIA. "Version 3.0 is the product of two years of effort to apply the business benefits of standardized catalog content to all classes of vehicles in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico."
ACES is the preferred data format for both leading electronic catalog providers. In addition, ACES is either preferred or required as the method of providing catalog updates to nearly every major retail and wholesale chain. This broad industry acceptance delivers huge cost reductions and returns on investments in ACES-compliant technology.
In recent months, AAIA has added to the ACES Vehicle Configuration Database (VCdb) coded definitions for Powersports equipment (including motorcycles), lawn and garden equipment, farm and agriculture equipment, as well as Class 8 heavy duty trucks. In addition, the association has added light-duty automotive coverage for Mexico, 1995 and later. These additions to the VCdb support suppliers and their distribution partners who sell products for more than just cars and light trucks throughout North America.
Another major enhancement of ACES version 3.0 is support for Digital Assets.
"We recognized that images, drawings, and other digital assets are an integral part of the catalog content for some categories of product," Luckett said. "Now, an exhaust supplier, for example, can add a system diagram to their electronic catalog data, making the file as complete and useful as a printed catalog page."
With the release of ACES version 3.0, the association comes closer to retiring the original AAIA catalog standard. The Legacy Make/Model table is far more limited than the ACES VCdb and has been scheduled to Sunset in December 2012. Beyond that date, the association will no longer support the Legacy standard, and will invest all of their efforts in ACES.
Complete documentation for ACES version 3.0 is found on the AAIA Web site at www.aftermarket.org/technology/aces.
