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Cal-State Auto Parts
Wholesale Distributor Sees 10-15% Productivity Gains With Lasercat For Windows
New Initiatives for New Markets
With nine locations in California and Nevada, Cal-State Auto
Parts has become a leading warehouse distributor (WD)
for the ACDelco® and Motorcraft® national groups. The
company has 260 employees. Traditionally focused on
General Motors and Ford car dealerships, the company has
recently expanded their business with jobbers, service chains, and independent
service dealers. As a result of new initiatives and the willingness to devote more
technology and resources to expansion opportunities, Cal-State’s customer base has
steadily grown every year.
The Challenge
Cal-State was dedicated to growth, but they knew that adding new markets with
jobbers, service chains, and independent service dealers to their traditional service
dealer market would require the most comprehensive catalog they could find.
Max Madrigal, Technology Director, explains that dealerships usually knew the part
number they needed. “Counterpersons are essentially just order takers with our car
dealerships,” he says. “However, with the undercar and jobber businesses, counter
personnel have to lookup the applications and provide more information on the
spot. An incomplete application can mean a lost sale”.
Cal-State had worked before with Activant LaserCat® for Windows, but for
comparison’s sake, they decided to try two other competitive systems.
The Result…An eCatalog that Out-Shined the Competition
“We found them totally useless,” says Max. “It became clear that only
Activant offered the level of catalog information Cal-State requires.”
Looking forward, there are plans to strengthen their online presence
by adding Cover-to-Cover®. “We are very excited about Cover-to-Cover
and what it offers in helping us continue the challenge of outpacing our
competitors,” says Max.
The Activant Solution
The company went back to the easy-to-use,Windows-based LaserCat system.
LaserCat offered Cal-State a range of powerful products including:
- PartExpert®, the most comprehensive parts eCatalog in the industry
- InterChange®, an electronic cross-reference database for part exchanges
- All Lines, an eCatalog feature for outsourcing non-inventory parts effectively
- BuyerAssist®, a comprehensive electronic buyer’s guide to help optimize
inventories
- LaborExpert®, a fast, accurate, labor estimating database that can be used on
a dial-in basis by service providers
- Service Intervals Plus, a database of Original Equipment Manufacturer
(OEM) recommended scheduled maintenance intervals
- nd Tire-By-Size, a powerful tool for accessing tires by size or vehicle for over
60 major tire brands
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