Opening
Scott Luckett called the meeting to order, welcomed all Council members and guests, and reviewed the objectives and functions of the ACEC for the benefit of the group.

Roundtable Report of Association Initiatives

• MEMA Supplier Enablement
  MEMA reported that manufacturers do a lot of EDI with their customer base, but they only do EDI with 10-20% of their suppliers. MEMA has developed a Web application to enable small suppliers to do EDI with manufacturers in a cost-effective manner.
• MEMA Direct-Connect Application
  MEMA has developed a new Special Order gateway application based upon the IPO standard. Suppliers will have access to multiple customers, and resellers will have access to multiple suppliers through the application.
• MEMA XML EDI
  With the 850 document completed, the MIS Council XML Committee has developed a rough draft of the 855 Purchase Order Acknowledgment. It will be finalized, made available to members for review and presented to the ACEC at the November meeting.
• SEMA Business Technology Committee
  SEMA has formed a new Business Technology Committee. Jon Wyly of Arrow Speed Warehouse is Chairman. The goal is to get involved with the rest of the industry and create awareness and education for the benefit of SEMA membership. Scott observed the significance that this is only the second standing committee formed at SEMA.
• HDX XML Committee
  Heavy Duty eXchange has formed an XML committee to watch what MEMA does and leverage the EDI work that they do. HDX is also interested in the IPO standard and progress with adoption. The HDX Price Communication File Specification (PCFS) version 5.12 has been published - a 61-field format. Edward requests that it be reviewed by the ACEC. He observed that PIES Express was not developed in coordination with PCFS, and there could be a possible duplication of effort because approximately 30 fields are common to both. Ed Heon said it was intended to accommodate heavy duty. Heon said it's okay to have multiple export formats as long as the fields are defined by a single standard and comply with PIES. PCFS is an implementation guideline for the HD market. It is unique from the implementation guideline for automotive. Jon Wyly suggested that a core group of attributes be common to all segment implementations. Dan suggested that AAIA document the mandatory core attributes and outreach to other related industries (marine, RV, etc) so they don't define a new standard out of lack of awareness. Edward volunteered to work with PIES subcommittee to coordinate industry specific outputs.
• HDX Price File Library
  HDX announced the launch of the HD Price File Library which will provide a simple import-export function and serve as a centralized data repository for the heavy-duty segment of the industry. Edward described an aborted effort to deploy an industry data warehouse for heavy duty that was shelved five years ago. Edward offers to share the lessons of their experience with those researching a solution for the aftermarket today. In discussion it was agreed that segment (and company specific) data pools can and should form. They do not represent a threat or conflict with an industry-organized solution. But, the long-term objective remains to tie these pools together and guarantee interconnectivity and data synchronization across the aftermarket industry.
• AAIA Product Information Exchange Standard
  Scott reported that adoption of PIES was growing, and an effort was underway to synchronize PIES and the CARQUEST XML specification. Pep Boys has subscribed to UCCnet, and the PIES Subcommittee is working with UCCnet to document and address the gaps between the two standards.
• AAIA Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES)
  Scott reported that Full Validation of all vehicle attribute combinations was underway and expected for completion by December 2005. The committee has adopted an Annual Standards Management process and will publish extensions
• i.shop Interconnectivity Standard
  AAIA reported that version 3.0 of the ioSHOP specification would be an XML Web Services design and would incorporate ACES for vehicle identification. This version of ioSHOP will eliminate the Windows PC operating requirement of the current standard.
• Imaging Best Practices Workgroup
  Finally, it was reported that a workgroup is developing an industry best practice for the management and exchange of product images in the supply chain. This would address the rising cost to suppliers in meeting the unique requirements of resellers for product images and line art. The Imaging Best Practice was expected for action by the AAIA committee at their fall meeting. Alise of SEMA volunteered to participate and contribute to the workgroup.
• AIA Canada
  Deborah reported that AIA was reforming their IT subcommittee and was encouraging their members to learn about and participate in the various standards projects through editorials and white papers.

It is the privilege of each association participating in the ACEC to bring forward a completed standard or specification for review and approval by the larger aftermarket community. In so doing, ACEC serves as a coordinating body and ensures that each standard is unique for its intended purpose and has met with favorable review by those other than the authors.

• Scott introduced PIES ver 4.2 and asked for ACEC approval. Al Jones so moved, Alise Miner seconded, and the standard was approved for certification.
• Scott introduced IPO ver 1.2.1 and asked for approval. Al Jones so moved, Alise Miner seconded, and the standard was approved by AIA, AAIA, SEMA, MEMA and HDX.
• Chris introduced the MEMA IS Council XML EDI 850 Guideline and asked for approval. Edward Kuo motioned, Alise Miner seconded, and five associations approved.

Mitch Javidi remarks about ADT Industry Requirements Study

Mitch Javidi, president of Digiton, Inc., was introduced and explained the methodology for performing an industry needs assessment and research project regarding data distribution practices. The project was commissioned by the Steering Committee for the Aftermarket Data Trust (ADT) and is being funded equally by AAIA, MEMA and SEMA.

Edward asked if there is a role for HDX and AIA and other industry segments - we agree that the goal of the project is to be inclusive and embrace the entire vehicle aftermarket Deborah observed that the survey participants and interviews must go beyond the usual suspects and includes participants who are not large, visible and regularly active.

Recommended dates for "2-Days in a Barrel" to kick-off the project are August 22-23.

Next Meeting
SEMA agreed to host the next meeting of the ACEC, Wednesday, November 2, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Respectfully Submitted,

Scott Luckett, AAIA