An Irish company making a big impact at Automechanika Birmingham was Auto Cloud Tech (ACT).  Based in Cork, ACT has developed a complete Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software system for motor factors that handles all internal sales administration and gives the business a full e-commerce capability. The system utilises the latest cloud-based technology to offer exceptional flexibility and functionality, but is available at a price which is a fraction of most current alternatives. 

The man behind the system is Derek Burke, ACT Chief Technology Officer. With a background in software for pharmacies and newspapers, Derek’s interest in the aftermarket was sparked when he was approached by Premier Auto Parts to develop an online sale capability. Derek says, "What quickly became apparent was the complexity of what motor factors do. They are dealing with some 23,000 models all with around 10,000 parts and that is before modifications. It is a vast amount of product and data to handle and requires a bespoke solution specifically for factor businesses.”

Derek and his team carefully studied the market and worked closely with Premier to gain an in depth understanding, before even commencing development. They then set about developing a dedicated online parts sales business. The result was Auto Factors Direct which has seen sales grow rapidly since 2016 to approaching €1.5 million, with over 2,000 registered garages.  

Based on this experience and with backing from Enterprise Ireland, Derek established ACT with Phillip Barrett and a team of knowledgeable staff to develop a full motor factor ERP system initially for Premier. Derek says, "We have used our online experience and relationship with Premier to design a software system that utilises the very latest digital technology, to provide a fully integrated package. Previously, systems available to factors have been based on older platforms or have been prohibitively expensive. Our system can provide a complete solution that offers numerous benefits at a very affordable price.”

Derek explains that the cloud based system can totally replace current counter and accounting systems in a factor, which are often un-integrated, with one enterprise supply chain system, which will require less administration and takes less employees to operate. One of the first benefits of the system is effective real time stock control, even over multiple branches. This can also access supplier stocks and by doing so, greatly reduces stock costs and increase sales through having access to live stock information. 

The system also gives factors the capability to have a 24/7 online sales presence with full e-commerce capability. Derek comments, "Online sales is the fast developing sector of the aftermarket, but few factors have an effective offering. Our system allows them to get all the benefits of an effective e-commerce site ready-made without huge development cost. 

One of the main features of the ACT system is that it offers factors a full registration look-up facility that can not only be used for online sales, but also tailored to internal counter requirements. ACT technology powered byTec Alliance group (Tec Doc) in conjunction with CarTell delivers a system that offers speed and accuracy. Derek comments, "We became aware of the pitfalls of current reg look-up systems and developed a system that integrates the supplier's OE information in some of the more complicated categories such as clutches and braking. This will help ensure that the correct part will be delivered because it is based on OE information. It also allows a factor to integrate its own parts intelligence, dramatically cutting down returns from the industry average of 20%+.

The ACT system also includes a fully integrated accounting package and very flexible management reporting, which allows a factor to easily assess sales performance, identify product gaps and get very accurate real time gross margin analysis. It also allows easy integration of new product groups, so for example, a factor could offer a range of tyres for next day delivery to its customers without having to hold any stock.

The system includes many more functions and customers can adopt a modular approach to best suit their needs. Derek says that the way it has been designed makes it flexible, easy to implement and also very affordable. He comments, "Developing a system like ours from scratch could easily cost €100K+, but we can have a factor up and running quickly at just 10-15% of this cost. We also offer lower monthly outgoings than many factors are currently paying.”

As well as being integrated at Premier Auto Parts, Derek says ACT will be operational shortly with other factor operations both in Ireland and the UK. For any factors keen to adopt more efficient systems and develop an effective online presence the Auto Cloud Tech team is available to provide a system demonstration and to discuss business needs. 

Contact AutoCloud on 021-500-5817, or visit www.autocloudtech.ie.