The web service is the comfortable solution to integrate the comprehensive TecDoc Catalogue data into your own shop or catalogue solution using an interface (API). Easy integration of the TecDoc Catalogue product and vehicle data into your ERP system or web solution Uniform data format (TecDoc Standard). Distributive/ - TecDoc catalog distributive (in the form of DVD images), which data was extracted from, crack works fine for Windows XP/Vista/7/2003/2008/2008 R2. Queries/ - samples of SQL-queries for MySQL database. Queries/FilterCountryLanguage/ - Database downsizing script: filters data by country and/or languauge. ACES data files come in an XML format and can be used after paying a subscription fee to the Auto Care Association. To be specific, the ACES format is a nested XML file, with only one file per brand.
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What Is ACES and PIES data?
- ACES and PIES data are standardized data formats, exclusive to the automotive industry.
- ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) manages automotive application (fitment) data.
- PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) manages product (part number) data.
In this article we look at the two leading industry standards for data formatting in the automotive aftermarket industry. These two data standards, of course, being ACES and PIES. The Auto Care Association created the ACES and PIES data standards. They’re formerly known as the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, or AAIA.
How ACES and PIES data works in the aftermarket
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These data standards work together to manage and exchange part number and fitment data to subscribers. It also gives the automotive aftermarket industry a universal standard to work with. So why have ACES and PIES become the industry standards that are used today as many as 500,000 members? To understand that, we need to take a deeper look. Let’s dig into the definitions of the ACES and PIES information exchange standards.
ACES (sometimes called AAIA ACES) and PIES (sometimes called AAIA PIES) show how our industry is different from other industries. We have to manage year, make, model fitment data for products. This presents unique challenges to companies exchanging data. This data helps create websites, sell online or in a retail store, or helps warehousing products. These data standards were created by the Auto Care Association when the association was still called Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
What is ACES data and how does it define automotive parts data?
ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) is the automotive aftermarket industry standard for managing and exchanging automotive catalog applications data. Aftermarket manufacturers can send and receive parts data using industry standard vehicle applications. This includes year, make, model, part types and qualifier statements.
The standard includes part data (brand, part number, part type), along with application fitment information. That application fitment defines which vehicle, which vehicle attributes, and which position on the vehicle the part fits. “Fitment” can cover vehicle make, model, year, submodel, engine, transmission, truck bed length, and so on.
ACES data files come in an XML format and can be used after paying a subscription fee to the Auto Care Association. To be specific, the ACES format is a nested XML file, with only one file per brand. The current ACES data file is ACES 4.1, released May 2020.
Who maintains ACES data?
The Auto Care Association maintains ACES files. They also update the vehicle applications database. This application database is known as VCdb for “Vehicle Configuration Database.” Monthly updates keep it current. Vehicles as far back as the 1896 model year if manufactured in the United States, 1942 (Canada) and 1961 (Mexico) are included in the VCdb. Powersports fitments go as far back as the 1920 model year (United States) or 2015 (Mexico). This vehicle table contains over 60,000 specific combinations of year/make/model cars and trucks. The VCdb covers a total of nine additional vehicle categories: RV, railway, power generation, marine auxiliary and marine propulsion, lawn and garden, industrial, construction, and agriculture.
Parts that are universal and don’t have a specific fitment will not have ACES data. Think of ACES as the link between a part number and a specific vehicle in the VCdb.
There are two subscription levels for the VCdb. One covers automobiles and light duty trucks GVW 1 through 3. It also covers powersports including ATVs, personal watercraft and motorcycles. Another subscription covers medium- and heavy-duty trucks for GVW classes 4 through 8.
Aftermarket parts suppliers are encouraged to validate their parts data fitment against the ACES industry standard to ensure correct fitment information. Missing vehicle fitment information is called an application hole, or “app hole.”
What is PIES data for automotive parts?
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PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) is the automotive aftermarket industry standard for managing and exchanging product data of automotive parts and accessories. PIES data includes over 20,000 product types. Twenty-five product categories organize all 20,000 product types.
Unlike ACES, PIES data standards don’t require a subscription. However, there are additional databases that work with PIES data that are available only by subscription.
As with ACES, the Auto Care Association publishes PIES standards. The standard part type taxonomy is part of the PCdb table they publish, covering product classifications. PIES files not only include product attributes, but also includes data like brand ID, prices, dimensions, weights, kits, digital assets, marketing content, UPC codes, hazardous material information and country of origin. The most current standard is PIES 7.2, released May 2020.
PIES data includes information on brands, which follow a standardized structure as with the other PIES fields. Private brands can be included in a PIES file by using the brand owner name, or the retailer’s name.
You can download the latest PIES 7.2 technical specifications by visiting this page and scrolling to the bottom, or here is a direct link to the PIES release notes as of June 2020, hosted on the Auto Care Association website.
How to remember ACES vs. PIES
One way to remember the difference between ACES and PIES is this: a PIES file—begins with “P”—is a list of Part numbers and Prices, like a typical printed jobber price sheet. An ACES file—begins with “A”—is a list of Applications, like a manufacturer’s traditional printed application guide showing what fits different years/makes/models.
So, ACES = Application (fitment) and PIES = Part numbers.
By the way, any reference to “AAIA ACES” or “AAIA PIES” is really outdated. That’s because AAIA (Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association) is now the Auto Care Association.
How are ACES and PIES data used together?
As ACES and PIES are the industry standards for data management in regards to parts and fitment, it is no secret that utilizing these two information exchange standards together efficiently is a key to success in the automotive aftermarket industry. When order parts customers, warehouse managers, shop owners, etc, will first reference the ACES data in order to determine if your part will properly fit their vehicle. If the part is a fit, the customer can then reference your PIES data to determine whether your specific part satisfies all of their needs. The ACES and PIES information exchanges provide data that takes the guesswork out of ordering parts if your data is properly managed and maintained. By taking the guesswork out of the equation ACES and PIES combine to be able to deliver higher sales and revenue while simultaneously reducing issues such as product returns or ordering errors.
ACES or PIES data does not include this:
The Auto Care Association has made it clear that ACES and PIES aren’t an industry-wide lookup for products, or for fitment data. It isn’t an industry-wide database. It also does not include OEM replacement parts. ACES doesn’t get to the level of detail that would let it work for OEM fitment when it comes to OEM replacement parts, either. It is also not a VIN lookup tool.
Formats for ACES and PIES
All databases are available in four data formats. These are Access 2007, ASCII, MySQL and SQL Server 2008 R2.
The Auto Care VIP Portal for ACES and PIES data
ACES and PIES subscribers can download the current versions of the Vehicle Configuration Database (VCdb), the Product Classification database (PCdb), the Product Attribute database (PAdb), the Qualifier database (Qdb) and the Brand Table from a new web interface set up by the Auto Care Association, called the Vehicle Information Portal (VIP). You can access VIP at this link.
Auto parts data service providers
To see a list of the aftermarket’s service providers that work with ACES and PIES, see our list of data service providers, here.
Information sources: SEMA, Auto Care Association (PIES), Auto Care Association (ACES), WebShopManager, and Hedges & Company ACES PIES.