Data Standards

The single most effective way to communicate with your trading partners.

Get the right part, to the right place, at the right time using data standards to speak the same technical language as your customers.

Cast your net wider and further with data standards. Are you supporting all you should be?

Stay up-to-date on auto care data standards with our annual subscription offerings

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We drive the industry forward by providing data standards for your business, helping companies globally to communicate, effectively and consistently, between trading partners around the world. We drive the industry forward by providing data standards for your business, helping companies globally to communicate, effectively and consistently, between trading partners around the world.

Subscribers around the globeSubscribers around the globe

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use our data standards to communicate, effectively and consistently, information between their trading partners.

what is aces^® and pies^TM data?what is aces^® and pies^TM data?

Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES^®) and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES^TM) utilize a standardized method of communication that is machine-readable (XML) by all trading partners and exclusive to the automotive industry. It allows for companies to be more efficient in communicating information for their products that is critical to do business.

The Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES^®) is the aftermarket industry data standard for the management and communication of product fitment data.

The Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES^TM) is the aftermarket industry data standard for the management and communication of product information.

Doing business in the Americas requires the use of the ACES^® and PIES^TM data standardsDoing business in the Americas requires the use of the ACES^® and PIES^TM data standards

By utilizing the Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES^®)* and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES^TM)*, as well as best practices, you are able to get the right part, to the right place, at the right time, using the leader in data standards in the automotive aftermarket industry. Key benefits:

Removes duplicated communication and distribution efforts
Saves time and money
Lowers supply chain costs
Increases product introduction and speed to market
Contributes to increased sales, operational efficiencies, and reduced returns

*While the ACES^® and PIES^TM data standards are free, they both utilize multiple relational databases that contain standardized, codified data (aka reference data), some of which require an annual paid subscription.

Take a look at our other standardsTake a look at our other standards

Internet Parts Ordering (IPO^TM) is the aftermarket industry data standard for the messages and information flow required to locate product, inquire about product availability and order products online.

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Integrated Shop Standard (iShop^TM) is a set of computer interface standards that allow vehicle service equipment, management software, and inspection servers to communicate seamlessly in the service shop environment.

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The Super Spec data standard is an industry-specific definition of the EDI requirements needed to connect distributors and retailers with their manufacturers and suppliers in the aftermarket.

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Best Practices

Best practices have been developed in several areas to support the data standards. Our guidelines inform, assist and provide recommendations.

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How the Data Standards are Managed

The utilization of data standards and best practices allows the auto care industry to pool resources and leverage economies of scale. By pooling resources through the Auto Care Association, the data is more accessible and affordable to each industry player. This pooled research effort provides an economy of scale for all subscribers to the Auto Care Association’s data standards and keeps the data used by the industry under management of a non-profit, non-partisan entity.

The Auto Care Association manages the data standards and best practices under the guidance of the Technology Standards Committee (TSC). The TSC committee is comprised of volunteer leaders employed by Auto Care Association member companies. They are tasked with providing input and guidance to the Auto Care Association, and act as an industry sounding board. The TSC sets the direction and approves changes to the data standards managed by the Auto Care Association.

Technology Standards Committee (TSC)

TestimonialsTestimonials

I’m an engineer. I love to solve problems. Through the Technology Standards Committee, we’ve been able to work on common problems across our trading partners and the customers that we serve to improve our delivery of goods and services.
Doug Wiggin,
Director, Software Architecture Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance

Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions

How can the Auto Care Association's Data Standards help my business?

The Auto Care Association is the acknowledged leader in developing standards and best practices in e-commerce and technology. We serve as a neutral facilitator allowing competitors and trading partners from all industry segments to collaborate on solutions that benefit the entire auto care industry.

The auto industry Data Standards, developed by the Auto Care Association specifically for the auto care industry, can increase the speed, efficiency and accuracy of critical data transfers, lowering the operating costs for all business partners.

Here are a few data standards Auto Care provides:

Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES^®)
Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES™)
Internet Parts Ordering (IPO™)
Integrated Shop Standard (iShop™)
SuperSpec

Learn more about these standards here.

What is ACES® and PIES™ data?

Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES®) and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES™) utilize a standardized method of communication that is machine-readable (XML) by all trading partners and exclusive to the automotive industry. It allows companies to be more efficient in communicating information for their products that is critical to do business.

The Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES^®) is the aftermarket industry data standard for the management and communication of product fitment data.

The Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES™) is the aftermarket industry data standard for the management and communication of product information.

Who currently uses the ACES® and PIES™ data standards?

Most companies in the Automotive Aftermarket industry in North America utilize the ACES® and pies data standards to do business. The adoption of the standard is currently spreading to Mexico, Central and South America, as businesses are seeing the efficiencies that the ACES® and PIES™ data standards provide when it come to communicating product information between data suppliers and data receivers. The data standards are utilized by manufacturers, remanufacturers, program groups, distributors, retailers, ecommerce companies, as well as third party data solution providers. For more information on the ACES® and PIES™ data standards, please see our Data Standards page.

What are the benefits of using the ACES® and PIES™ data standards?

Using both ACES^® and PIES™ allows for companies to be more efficient in communicating product fitment and product information for their products by utilizing a standardized communication method that is machine-readable (XML) by all trading partners. This removes duplicated communication and distribution effort, saves time and money, lowers supply chain costs, increase product introduction speed and speed to market, as well as contributes to increased sales, operational efficiencies, and reduced returns. Check out our Data Standards page for more information.

What are the supporting databases used in the ACES and PIES data standards.

The ACES and PIES data standards both utilize multiple supporting relational databases, which contain standardized, codified data. The databases include the Vehicle Configuration database (VCdb), Qualifier database (Qdb), Product Classification database (PCdb), Part Attribute database (PAdb) and Brand Table. To find out what databases are used in both ACES and PIES specifically, please visit both the ACES and PIES data standard pages.

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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need more information? need more information?

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technology@autocare.org

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