ACES fitment data is critical information for the automotive aftermarket industry. ACES is an Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard that was created to help manage and standardize fitment data across different online retail platforms. The automobile aftermarket is changing dramatically across the world. As customer demands alter and it appears that technological progress is accelerating, a significant shift between car manufacturers is on the way. These modifications will only affect how auto components eCommerce firms and other players in the sector, operate and generate value for themselves and their customers.
The automobile eCommerce industry is also facing new challenges and pressures from emerging markets. It’s critical to remember that the aftermarket in North America was worth more than $16 billion last year. The overall aftermarket sector of the automotive industry is worth $381 billion, while the light-duty vehicle market totals about $282 billion.
Finally, digital technologies significantly impact roughly $150 billion in automobile parts sales across brick-and-mortar and internet channels. That figure is expected to grow to $160 billion over the next several years. As a result, it’s reasonable to expect that ACES fitment data software demand has never been higher. This article will discuss what ACES is, how it works, and why it’s important. We’ll also look at some of the online retail platforms where ACES fitment data must be used. Finally, we’ll talk about how to manage your fitment data using ACES.
What is Fitment Data?
Also known as compatibility information, fitment data is the data that specifies how a part or accessory will fit a particular vehicle. This data is used to ensure that parts and accessories ordered by customers are compatible with their vehicles. There are many different types of fitment data, but ACES is the most common standard for exchanging this information between online retailers. ACES was developed to help manage and standardize fitment data across different platforms.
Fitment Data has become an increasingly important aspect of doing business in the automotive aftermarket industry. As customer demand evolves, companies must have accurate compatibility information to continue selling products without issue. ACES helps businesses do just that by providing a standardized format for exchanging fitment data between retailers.
What Is ACES?
The Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES) is a critical piece of information for the automotive aftermarket industry. ACES is an Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard that was created to help manage and standardize fitment data across different online retail platforms. ACES helps ensure that all retailers use the same fitment data when listing parts for sale, making it easier for customers to find the right part for their vehicle.
ACES is maintained by the Auto Care Association (ACA) and has been in use since 2009. The standard is designed specifically for the aftermarket automotive industry and covers everything from light-duty trucks to heavy-duty commercial vehicles. ACES also includes information on both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket suppliers.
The Auto Care Association is a trade association that represents the interests of automotive aftermarket suppliers. The ACA maintains ACES and promotes its use across the automotive aftermarket industry. ACES is currently the only standard for fitment data in the automotive aftermarket industry. Major online retailers, such as Amazon and eBay, use it to list parts for sale. ACES is also used by many of the largest automotive aftermarket suppliers in the world.
ACES data is divided into two databases as follows:
- The Vehicle Configuration Database (VCdb) – This database has more than 60,000 different combinations of year/make/model cars and trucks from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The earliest models for Canada and Mexico go back to 1942 and 1961, respectively. The Auto Care Association updates and maintains this database approximately once a month. It’s crucial to note that no ACES data will be found in places where the part number is generic or doesn’t precisely fit. The connection between a part number and a specific vehicle may be discovered in the vehicle configuration database, commonly known as ACES. Access is required to utilize it. There are two subscription levels, one for each set of automobiles, light-duty trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 1 to 3, and motorized bicycles. Medium and heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4 to 8 are covered by both levels.
- The Parts Configuration Database (PCdb) – The PCdb (Part and Category Database) is a component of the ACES standard. It contains a list of all component types and categories and replacement parts, service items, and other similar goods available in the aftermarket sector. This database will make it easier for manufacturers, distributors, and merchants to create vehicle catalogs. Automobile owners may now use this information to compare the components they require for their vehicles more readily. There will be far fewer mistakes and interpretive gaps in how each item should be utilized when goods are classified correctly. As a result, the customer experience will also improve.
The ACES platform is a network of car industry experts and professionals worldwide. The Automotive Club Association provides an XML-format version of ACES for members who pay a fee. Each ACES XML file will contain information on one brand. Aftermarket firms should validate all their fitment data against the ACES standard to confirm its validity. “Application holes” refers to gaps in vehicle fitting data that are left by businesses.
The Benefits of ACES Fitment Data
One of the benefits of using ACES fitment data is that it ensures accuracy when listing parts for sale online. This makes it easier for customers to find the right part for their vehicle, as all retailers use the same data. ACES also helps ensure that aftermarket suppliers provide accurate information about the parts they sell.
Another benefit of ACES is that it helps reduce the number of “application holes” in vehicle fitting data. These gaps in information occur when businesses do not have accurate fitment data for a particular make and model of car. ACES helps fill these holes so that customers can find the right part for their vehicle without searching through multiple retailers.
ACES also helps to improve the customer experience by ensuring that all aftermarket suppliers provide accurate information about the parts they sell. This makes it easier for consumers to compare different components and make informed decisions about what they need for their vehicle.
In addition, ACES helps to improve the accuracy of the manufacturer’s data. By validating all aftermarket fitment data against the ACES standard, businesses can ensure that their information is accurate and up-to-date.
Online eCommerce Platforms Where ACES Fitment Data is Needed
Some online selling platforms are stricter than others when it comes to ACES fitment data. Here is a list of the most prominent platforms that demand ACES fitment data and why it is crucial for aftermarket vehicle dealers.
Amazon
Amazon requires ACES fitment data for all automotive aftermarket listings. Amazon wants to ensure that its customers have the best possible experience when shopping for car parts and accessories. Amazon can guarantee that all products are accurately listed and easy to find by requiring ACES fitment data.
Aftermarket dealers who sell on Amazon must validate their fitment data against the ACES standard to ensure accuracy. In addition, they must make sure that they are using the most up-to-date version of ACES XML files. Failing to do so may result in suspension from selling on Amazon. Amazon also offers a free ACES fitment data validation tool, which can be used to check the accuracy of your data.
eBay Motors
eBay Motors is another online platform that requires ACES fitment data. All aftermarket dealers who sell automotive parts and accessories on eBay must validate their data against the ACES standard. This is to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all product listings. Like Amazon, eBay also offers a free ACES fitment data validation tool. It can be used to check the accuracy of your eBay Motors listings.
Retailers in the automotive aftermarket industry must ensure that they are using up-to-date ACES XML files. Failing to do so may result in suspension from selling on eBay Motors. Failing to use ACES fitment data can also lead to negative customer experiences, as inaccurate or incomplete listings can be difficult to navigate.
Walmart Marketplace
Walmart Marketplace represents another important online selling platform for automotive aftermarket dealers. All sellers on Walmart Marketplace must validate their ACES fitment data against the ACES standard. This is to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all product listings.
Using ACES fitment data is necessary for businesses selling products online. By validating your data against the ACES standard, you can ensure the accuracy and completeness of your product listings. This will lead to positive customer experiences and may even help you to increase sales.
Company Website Catalogs
Many firms maintain their own website catalogs where they offer goods to customers. ACES also aids businesses in taking advantage of new technologies such as interactive product catalogs. Aftermarket auto retailers that want to succeed need ACES data.
Having accurate product information on your website can help retailers maintain a professional and appealing appearance to potential consumers. If you haven’t already, now is the time to start selling through your company’s website catalog. Ensure ACES fitment data is accurate to guarantee a successful and trouble-free launch.
The ACES data is critical for automotive aftermarket businesses looking to thrive. By having correct product information on their website, retailers may guarantee that it appears professional and appealing to potential consumers. Ensure that you have ACES fitment data prepared, as this will help you cultivate a successful entry into the internet selling market.
How To Manage ACES Fitment Data
ACES fitment data is a critical part of the automotive aftermarket industry. ACES fitment data must be used to sell products on online retail platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. In addition, ACES fitment data must be managed in order to ensure that products are accurately displayed and described to consumers. There are a couple of ways to manage ACES fitment data.
Manually Managing Fitment Data
If you have too much time on your hands, which probably isn’t the case, you can manually manage ACES fitment data. This can be a daunting task, as you will need to create and maintain an inventory of all products that you sell and then associate each product with the appropriate ACES fitment data.
This process can be time-consuming and tedious, but it is the most accurate way to ensure that your products are displayed correctly on online retail platforms. Additionally, if you make any changes to your inventory, you will need to update the corresponding ACES fitment data.
The main drawbacks of manually managing ACES fitment data are the time commitment and the potential for human error. It will also be difficult to keep track of inventory changes if you are not using an automated system.
Alternatively, you can use a software tool to manage ACES fitment data.
Automating Fitment Data Management
There are a number of software tools that can automate the process of ACES fitment data management. These tools will automatically associate your products with the appropriate ACES fitment data, and they will also update this data as inventory changes occur. This is a much more efficient way to manage ACES fitment data, and it eliminates the potential for human error.
The main drawback of using a software tool to manage ACES fitment data is the cost. Most of these tools charge a monthly fee so that some initial investment can be required. However, this expense can be justified by the amount of time and effort that it saves you in the long run.
Step-by-Step Fitment Data Management Process
If you choose to manage ACES fitment data manually, then follow these steps:
- Create an inventory of all products that you sell – When you create your list, include a description of each product and the ACES fitment data that corresponds to it.
- Associate each product with the appropriate ACES fitment data – Each component of ACES fitment data must be included, including the product’s brand, part number, and size.
- Update your inventory as changes occur – This means that you will need to update ACES fitment data whenever you make changes to your inventory.
- Verify that all products are displaying correctly on online retail platforms – This can be done by checking the product pages on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.
- Upload your product inventory into the tool – This will automate the process of ACES fitment data management.
- Verify that all products are displaying correctly on online retail platforms – This can be done by checking the product pages on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.
- The tool will automatically associate each product with the appropriate ACES fitment data – This data will be updated as inventory changes occur.
- Update your inventory as changes occur – This means that you will need to update ACES fitment data whenever you make changes to your inventory.
- The tool will update ACES fitment data accordingly – This means that you will not need to worry about updating ACES fitment data manually.
- Verify that all products are displaying correctly on online retail platforms – This can be done by checking the product pages on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.
The best way to ensure that your products are accurately displayed and described is to use a software tool to automate ACES fitment data management. This is the most efficient and accurate way to manage ACES fitment data. The tool will automatically associate your products with the appropriate ACES fitment data, and it will update this data as inventory changes occur. Additionally, the tool will verify that all products are displaying correctly on online retail platforms.
How myFitment Can Help
myFitment is a software tool that can automate the process of ACES fitment data management. It is an affordable and easy-to-use tool that will save you time and effort. In addition to automating ACES fitment data management, myFitment also provides other features such as:
- Product research – This feature allows you to quickly find products that match your specifications.
- Bulk upload – This feature allows you to upload your product inventory in a single step.
- Automatic updates – This feature ensures that your ACES fitment data is always up-to-date.
myFitment is the best way to manage ACES fitment data for online retailers who want to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Contact myFitment today!
