Auto Care Association Announces New Data Standards Enhancements in Auto Care VIP
By Zoi' Holloway
latest updates to the Auto Care Vehicle Information Portal (VIP). The VIP platform allows users to both manage and download the Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES®) and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES™) supporting relational databases, enabling companies to get the right part, to the right place, at the right time. These enhancements will empower subscribers with real-time data access and efficiency, evolving the approach to data standards management.The following updates will launch between now and the end of the year:
NEW Service Provider Directory: Available now
The addition of a service provider directory allows catalogers to discover content solutions and filter by vehicle type, region, and services offered. These solution providers encompass various services including data management, data mapping, data validation, distribution, digital asset management, photography, product information management, master data management, vehicle and equipment research, and more.
Using this tool bridges an important gap by enabling subscribers to utilize their data more efficiently and increase sales.
Learn more by contacting technology@autocare.org.
NEW Auto Care ACES® and PIES™ databases add .json file format: Available now
“JSON,” or JavaScript Object Notation, emerges as a game-changing open standard file format and data interchange format, leveraging human-readable text to store and transmit data objects comprising attribute-value pairs and arrays. Widely recognized for its versatility in electronic data interchange, JSON serves as the format of choice for APIs, providing seamless communication between applications and servers. With the integration of .json format, subscribers can now test compatibility with their systems and data providers, facilitating a flawless transition to real-time data exchange.
To access, subscribers can visit the download page for each respective database in Auto Care VIP and select the .json file type.
NEW Subscription Code: Available now
Auto Care VIP will now provide subscribers with a code that updates every year. This subscription code will enable high-quality authentication and authorization of subscriptions to protect the misuse of data standards.
COMING SOON: Auto Care ACES®️ and PIES™️ databases available by API
Release Date: November 2024
Auto Care VIP will offer daily data publication of the data standards reference databases (VCdb, Qdb, PCdb, PAdb and Brand Table) through an Application Programming Interface (API). Data APIs provide real-time data access which translates into enhanced efficiency and agility, enabling businesses to stay ahead in today's fast-paced automotive marketplace. Additionally, the streamlined integration with APIs simplifies the process for users, paving the way for automation of IT processes and smoother data exchange. This will be in JSON format.
- Access 2007
After May 8, 2025, ASCII and MYSQL file formats will no longer be offered.
COMING SOON: Expanded Vehicle Coverage Roadmap Update
VCdb is the industry’s source for light, medium, and heavy duty vehicles, powersports, configurations and attributes for vehicles sold in North and Latin America. The Auto Care Association team has worked to ensure the most coverage of vehicle data in the Latin American region, which has a car parc with an ever-aging VIO, resulting in more opportunities for parts and services. Parts manufacturers have incomparable coverage through the VCdb, enabling them to sell more parts into more markets. The Latin American data expansion project, launched at this year’s Auto Care Connect event in early May, aims to cover over 90% of the region from Canada to Argentina, with an anticipated completion date in late 2024.
“These updates essentially empower businesses to access data at the speed of light, promoting faster transactions, increased product sales, and reduced returns,” said Jonathan Larsen, vice president, digital products and standards, Auto Care Association.
As these updates begin to launch, the Auto Care Data Standards and technology team will provide documentation across its Digital Hub, autocare.org website, Auto Care VIP portal, release notes, and other publications. Data Standards subscribers can also anticipate a VIP training series to guide users through the transition. VIP users are also reminded that the platform is the hub for submitting change requests to the current databases to modify existing records, remove and/or add new records, and access different events related to the data standards, including workgroups, trainings, webinars and conferences.
To learn more about the Auto Care Association’s technology and data standards or how to subscribe, visit autocare.org/standards.