Product Attribute database (PAdb)

The Product Attribute database (PAdb) is a fully normalized, relational database, that is used in conjunction with the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES^TM).

The PAdb contains product specific attributes (aka product specifications), including performance and physical attributes, which describe the form, fit and function of a product and standardizes it in a coded manner.

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PAdb attributes are assigned to each product classification found in the Product Classification database (PCdb). PAdb attributes are assigned to each product classification found in the Product Classification database (PCdb).

0.0+ thousand

part attributes tied to

0.0+ thousand

part attribute associations

The standardization of product attribute information allows for this type of information to move efficiently and consistently across the industry.

Some examples of PAdb attributes include:Some examples of PAdb attributes include:

Color
Finish
Material
Outside Diameter
Port Quantity
Horsepower

Rich, complete, and accurate product attribute information is an essential component of marketing any product successfully. All customers, professional shop and retail consumers, rely on robust product attributes to make informed decisions and select the most appropriate product for their needs. Performance and physical attributes address the objective differences between two similar products. This information enables customers to make informed and knowledgeable decisions, and be fully aware of the differences between similar products.

The industry use of the Product Attribute database (PAdb) promotes increased speed to market for manufacturers and their trading partners who use the ACES^® and PIES^TM data standards, as it makes it easier to compile and display product content for web catalogs, websites and internal systems. Additionally, the PAdb promotes a positive user experience for consumers and allows consumers to compare products in their searches due to the information being displayed in a consistent manner.

Learn more aboutLearn more about

our documentation

how you can get involved

Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES)

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The Product Attribute database (PAdb) documentation found below is the latest version of the database documentation. This version, and all versions, are designed and maintained by the industry, for the industry, through industry workgroups and the guidance of the Technology Standards Committee (TSC).

Documentation includes:

Data Rules and Policies
ER Diagram

Note: Our documentation is available to the public. To view and download documentation, please sign-in with your autocare.org login information to the Auto Care Digital Hub. If you do not have a login, please create an account.

There are multiple ways to get involved in the development and management of the Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES^® ) and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES™) data standards, as well as their supporting relational databases.

Auto Care Vehicle Information Portal (VIP)

This platform allows users to both manage and download the Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES^® ) and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES™ ) supporting relational databases. This includes submitting change requests to the current databases to modify existing records, remove and/or add new records.

Additionally, the platform allows users to access different events related to the data standards, including workgroups, trainings, webinars and conferences.

Access to the VIP site does require users to create an account. To create an account, please visit autocarevip.com and follow the instructions on the landing page.

Access to the VIP site does not require a paid subscription. However, access to certain products within the VIP site will require an active paid subscription.

ACES^® and PIES^TM eLearning

Education and Networking

The Automotive Content Professionals Network (ACPN), a community of the Auto Care Association, is a professional network with 400+ individual members employed in the automotive industry. It is the only community devoted exclusively to the education and professional development needs of the automotive content management professional.

ACPN serves as the leader in content management and related activities; promotes industry technology standards; and provides a forum for discussing and promoting best practices within the automotive industry all of which will culminate in their annual Knowledge Exchange conference.

DownloadDownload

The Product Attribute database (PAdb) and all other ACES^® and PIES^TM data standards supporting relational databases, can be managed and downloaded through the Auto Care Vehicle Information Portal (VIP).

The VIP platform allows users to view the contents of the PAdb, submit changes to existing records, request new records, as well as download the published database.

Publication Cycle (New Database Content Updates):

Monthly (Manual Downloads - JSON, Access 2007, SQLServer2008 R2)
Daily (API - JSON)

Release Notes: Click here

The Product Attribute database (PAdb) requires an annual paid subscription to view and download.

Note: Access to the VIP site does not require a paid active subscription. However, access to certain products within the site will require an active paid subscription. To access the VIP site, users are required to create an autocare.org account. Click here to create an account.

autocarevip.com

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Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions

How do I download and/or request changes to the Auto Care Data Standards supporting relational databases (VCdb, Qdb, PCdb, PAdb, Brand Table)?

Users can do all of this by logging* into autocarevip.com. The VIP platform allows users to view the contents of the databases (VCdb, Qdb, PCdb, PAdb, Brand Table), submit changes to existing records, request new records, as well as download the published database.

All change requests are reviewed by the Auto Care Association technology team prior to approving the request. If you need help while in autocarevip.com, navigate to the “Contact Us” button within autocarevip.com.

*Note: Access to the VIP site does not require a paid active subscription. However, access to certain products within the site will require an active paid subscription. To access the VIP site, users are required to create an account. To create an account, please visit Autocarevip.com and follow the instructions on the landing page.

Where can I find documentation and sample data for Auto Care Association Data Standards?

Do I need a subscription to use the ACES® and PIES™ data standards?

Yes. The ACES^® and PIES™ data standards utilize multiple supporting relational databases (VCdb, Qdb, PCdb, PAdb, Brand Table) in order to be used which are subscription based.

To create and/or receive ACES^® xml files, one must subscribe to one of the VCdb packages. Subscribing to the VCdb provides access to the Qdb and PCdb. All three databases are required to create and/or receive ACES^® xml files.

To create and/or receive PIES™ xml files, one must subscribe to the PAdb. Subscribing to the PAdb provides access to the PCdb. Both of these database are required to create and/or receive PIES™ xml files.

See our subscriptions page for more pricing and more details!

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STEP 2

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STEP 3

Create and/or receive PIES^TM XML files for your products!

Convenient, self-paced eLearning to help your more effectively communicate with your trading partners.

Data Standards eLearning from Auto Care helps aftermarket professionals learn how to use the data standards to speak the same technical language as their customers, getting the right part, to the right place, at the right time.

Explore the course!

What’s New in PAdbWhat’s New in PAdb

Translations covering North, South and Central America are now available!

Auto Care Association offers translations for the data standards supporting databases (VCdb, Qdb, PCdb and PAdb) in the following languages:

Spanish
Canadian French
Portuguese

Subscribing to these translation databases provides users the ability to easily translate the coded content within an ACES or PIES XML file.

Visit the subscriptions page to subscribe!

Heavy Duty Expansion

The Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES) was recently expanded for the heavy duty industry, as a result of an industry project managed by the Auto Care Association Community, HDDA: Heavy Duty, beginning with PIES Version 7.1 and newer.

This expansion included the addition of heavy duty fields into the PIES data standard, as well as the addition of product attributes in the Product Attribute database (PAdb)* for 20 product categories of heavy duty products found in the Product Classification database (PCdb), which are both utilized in the PIES data standard.

Heavy Duty companies can now use the PIES data standard to communicate their product information to their trading partners!

Need More Information?Need More Information?

technology@autocare.org

for data standards and technical support

techbilling@autocare.org

for billing and subscription support