AAIA announces release of PIES Version 6.5
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) announced the release of version 6.5 of the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES). Included in the latest version of PIES is full support for the exchange of coded product attributes, increased capability to express market copy and additions to the recognized media types of digital assets.
“The ability to provide robust product information, including images and other digital assets, is a critical differentiator and can provide significant sales and margin lift to those companies that master these techniques,” said Scott Luckett, chief information officer, AAIA. “As more business is conducted online without the benefit of advice from a parts pro, vivid electronic product information is essential to selling the right product the first time and keeping it sold."
The documentation of PIES version 6.5 has undergone restructuring to eliminate ambiguity and inconsistency. Restructuring of the Market Copy, Product Attribute and Kit segments contribute to added capability.
Almost all PIES elements from the previous version continue to exist in version 6.5, but due to the re-sequencing of specific elements, care should be taken to update PIES mapping and software tools. PIES version 6.5 was released to the industry for review and comment in April. Minor corrections have been incorporated in the final specification.
PIES is an open industry standard specification available at no cost at http://aftermarket.org/Technology. PIES defines the industry-recognized best practices for the management and exchange of over 250 elements of information about an automotive product. PIES is the preferred format and method of exchange for product information with all of the leading automotive wholesale and retail chains. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
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