Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:53

SEMA News—August 2012

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

Lawmakers Who Support the Industry

 


State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus Chair

 


Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.
Business owner, SEMA member and auto enthusiast, Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. During his tenure, the caucus has grown to include almost 600 members from all 50 states. Included among the cars he has owned is a ’57 Chevy, ’81 T-Bird and ’07 Shelby GT 500.

 


 


Did you know that some lawmakers are big fans of collector cars, vehicle exhibitions and auto racing? Many of these U.S. representatives and senators have joined the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. Likewise, state lawmakers have joined the companion State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. 

The caucuses help identify lawmakers with shared interests—in this case, a love for the automobile—and promote the growth and advancement of those causes.

The caucuses have bipartisan memberships, which recognize that the American automotive specialty and performance industry is an important economic engine, providing jobs for more than a million Americans and quality products for a global marketplace.

Caucus members may not always agree on legislative approaches to contentious issues, but the caucuses are important vehicles for raising the industry’s profile on Capitol Hill, in state capitals and in the public’s eyes.

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus: The caucus was formed in 1996 in honor of the 100th year of the automobile and to recognize the contributions that the automotive performance and motorsports industry has made to the U.S. economy. This honorary, bipartisan congressional caucus pays tribute to the quality, performance and safety of all motor vehicles and to America’s ever-growing love affair with the car and motorsports.

State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus: In its daily efforts to promote and protect the auto hobby, SEMA partners with caucus members from across the country to raise the motor-vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and before the general public. Formed in 2005, the state caucus includes hundreds of members from all 50 states, a number that continues to grow. For a full listing of caucus members, visit www.SEMAsan.com.

 

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus Co-Chairs

 

  Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) knows first-hand the positive impact that racing and enthusiast events have on the American economy. For three consecutive years, he has co-sponsored U.S. Senate resolutions designating the second Friday of July as Collector Car Appreciation Day.
  Representative Sander Levin (D-MI)
Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) has been the caucus co-chair since its founding in 1996. He has been a strong advocate for SEMA and an ardent supporter of American manufacturing and small business. Under his leadership, the caucus has grown to nearly 100 members.
  Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) was a charter member of the State Caucus prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. When not in Washington or running the family farm, he and his son have restored a number of cars, from a Model T to a ’55 Chevy‚ ’56 Buick and Willys CJ.
  Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) is a lifelong stock car racer who began midget racing at the age of five. He has championed the hobby and related industry from his tenure in the Florida state legislature to his current position in the nation’s capital.

 


 

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:53

SEMA News—August 2012

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

Lawmakers Who Support the Industry

 


State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus Chair

 


Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.
Business owner, SEMA member and auto enthusiast, Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. During his tenure, the caucus has grown to include almost 600 members from all 50 states. Included among the cars he has owned is a ’57 Chevy, ’81 T-Bird and ’07 Shelby GT 500.

 


 


Did you know that some lawmakers are big fans of collector cars, vehicle exhibitions and auto racing? Many of these U.S. representatives and senators have joined the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. Likewise, state lawmakers have joined the companion State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. 

The caucuses help identify lawmakers with shared interests—in this case, a love for the automobile—and promote the growth and advancement of those causes.

The caucuses have bipartisan memberships, which recognize that the American automotive specialty and performance industry is an important economic engine, providing jobs for more than a million Americans and quality products for a global marketplace.

Caucus members may not always agree on legislative approaches to contentious issues, but the caucuses are important vehicles for raising the industry’s profile on Capitol Hill, in state capitals and in the public’s eyes.

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus: The caucus was formed in 1996 in honor of the 100th year of the automobile and to recognize the contributions that the automotive performance and motorsports industry has made to the U.S. economy. This honorary, bipartisan congressional caucus pays tribute to the quality, performance and safety of all motor vehicles and to America’s ever-growing love affair with the car and motorsports.

State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus: In its daily efforts to promote and protect the auto hobby, SEMA partners with caucus members from across the country to raise the motor-vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and before the general public. Formed in 2005, the state caucus includes hundreds of members from all 50 states, a number that continues to grow. For a full listing of caucus members, visit www.SEMAsan.com.

 

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus Co-Chairs

 

  Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) knows first-hand the positive impact that racing and enthusiast events have on the American economy. For three consecutive years, he has co-sponsored U.S. Senate resolutions designating the second Friday of July as Collector Car Appreciation Day.
  Representative Sander Levin (D-MI)
Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) has been the caucus co-chair since its founding in 1996. He has been a strong advocate for SEMA and an ardent supporter of American manufacturing and small business. Under his leadership, the caucus has grown to nearly 100 members.
  Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) was a charter member of the State Caucus prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. When not in Washington or running the family farm, he and his son have restored a number of cars, from a Model T to a ’55 Chevy‚ ’56 Buick and Willys CJ.
  Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) is a lifelong stock car racer who began midget racing at the age of five. He has championed the hobby and related industry from his tenure in the Florida state legislature to his current position in the nation’s capital.

 


 

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:53

SEMA News—August 2012

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

Lawmakers Who Support the Industry

 


State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus Chair

 


Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.
Business owner, SEMA member and auto enthusiast, Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. During his tenure, the caucus has grown to include almost 600 members from all 50 states. Included among the cars he has owned is a ’57 Chevy, ’81 T-Bird and ’07 Shelby GT 500.

 


 


Did you know that some lawmakers are big fans of collector cars, vehicle exhibitions and auto racing? Many of these U.S. representatives and senators have joined the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. Likewise, state lawmakers have joined the companion State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. 

The caucuses help identify lawmakers with shared interests—in this case, a love for the automobile—and promote the growth and advancement of those causes.

The caucuses have bipartisan memberships, which recognize that the American automotive specialty and performance industry is an important economic engine, providing jobs for more than a million Americans and quality products for a global marketplace.

Caucus members may not always agree on legislative approaches to contentious issues, but the caucuses are important vehicles for raising the industry’s profile on Capitol Hill, in state capitals and in the public’s eyes.

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus: The caucus was formed in 1996 in honor of the 100th year of the automobile and to recognize the contributions that the automotive performance and motorsports industry has made to the U.S. economy. This honorary, bipartisan congressional caucus pays tribute to the quality, performance and safety of all motor vehicles and to America’s ever-growing love affair with the car and motorsports.

State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus: In its daily efforts to promote and protect the auto hobby, SEMA partners with caucus members from across the country to raise the motor-vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and before the general public. Formed in 2005, the state caucus includes hundreds of members from all 50 states, a number that continues to grow. For a full listing of caucus members, visit www.SEMAsan.com.

 

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus Co-Chairs

 

  Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) knows first-hand the positive impact that racing and enthusiast events have on the American economy. For three consecutive years, he has co-sponsored U.S. Senate resolutions designating the second Friday of July as Collector Car Appreciation Day.
  Representative Sander Levin (D-MI)
Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) has been the caucus co-chair since its founding in 1996. He has been a strong advocate for SEMA and an ardent supporter of American manufacturing and small business. Under his leadership, the caucus has grown to nearly 100 members.
  Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) was a charter member of the State Caucus prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. When not in Washington or running the family farm, he and his son have restored a number of cars, from a Model T to a ’55 Chevy‚ ’56 Buick and Willys CJ.
  Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) is a lifelong stock car racer who began midget racing at the age of five. He has championed the hobby and related industry from his tenure in the Florida state legislature to his current position in the nation’s capital.

 


 

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:53

SEMA News—August 2012

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

Lawmakers Who Support the Industry

 


State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus Chair

 


Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.
Business owner, SEMA member and auto enthusiast, Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. During his tenure, the caucus has grown to include almost 600 members from all 50 states. Included among the cars he has owned is a ’57 Chevy, ’81 T-Bird and ’07 Shelby GT 500.

 


 


Did you know that some lawmakers are big fans of collector cars, vehicle exhibitions and auto racing? Many of these U.S. representatives and senators have joined the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. Likewise, state lawmakers have joined the companion State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. 

The caucuses help identify lawmakers with shared interests—in this case, a love for the automobile—and promote the growth and advancement of those causes.

The caucuses have bipartisan memberships, which recognize that the American automotive specialty and performance industry is an important economic engine, providing jobs for more than a million Americans and quality products for a global marketplace.

Caucus members may not always agree on legislative approaches to contentious issues, but the caucuses are important vehicles for raising the industry’s profile on Capitol Hill, in state capitals and in the public’s eyes.

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus: The caucus was formed in 1996 in honor of the 100th year of the automobile and to recognize the contributions that the automotive performance and motorsports industry has made to the U.S. economy. This honorary, bipartisan congressional caucus pays tribute to the quality, performance and safety of all motor vehicles and to America’s ever-growing love affair with the car and motorsports.

State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus: In its daily efforts to promote and protect the auto hobby, SEMA partners with caucus members from across the country to raise the motor-vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and before the general public. Formed in 2005, the state caucus includes hundreds of members from all 50 states, a number that continues to grow. For a full listing of caucus members, visit www.SEMAsan.com.

 

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus Co-Chairs

 

  Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) knows first-hand the positive impact that racing and enthusiast events have on the American economy. For three consecutive years, he has co-sponsored U.S. Senate resolutions designating the second Friday of July as Collector Car Appreciation Day.
  Representative Sander Levin (D-MI)
Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) has been the caucus co-chair since its founding in 1996. He has been a strong advocate for SEMA and an ardent supporter of American manufacturing and small business. Under his leadership, the caucus has grown to nearly 100 members.
  Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) was a charter member of the State Caucus prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. When not in Washington or running the family farm, he and his son have restored a number of cars, from a Model T to a ’55 Chevy‚ ’56 Buick and Willys CJ.
  Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) is a lifelong stock car racer who began midget racing at the age of five. He has championed the hobby and related industry from his tenure in the Florida state legislature to his current position in the nation’s capital.

 


 

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

SEMA News—August 2012

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

 


Jon Wyly, SEMA Data Co-op CEO

 


For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.

 


 


 


 


Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

 


 


 


 


Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

SEMA News—August 2012

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

 


Jon Wyly, SEMA Data Co-op CEO

 


For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.

 


 


 


 


Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

 


 


 


 


Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

SEMA News—August 2012

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

 


Jon Wyly, SEMA Data Co-op CEO

 


For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.

 


 


 


 


Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

 


 


 


 


Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

SEMA News—August 2012

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

 


Jon Wyly, SEMA Data Co-op CEO

 


For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.

 


 


 


 


Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

 


 


 


 


Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

SEMA News—August 2012

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

 


Jon Wyly, SEMA Data Co-op CEO

 


For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.

 


 


 


 


Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

 


 


 


 


Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

SEMA News—August 2012

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

 


Jon Wyly, SEMA Data Co-op CEO

 


For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.

 


 


 


 


Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

 


 


 


 


Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.