PHOENIX PDM SYSTEM

Big Steps In Usability And Delivery

Europe’s leading parts information data provider TecDoc has launched Phoenix - its new data management system for TecDoc CATALOG parts suppliers and manufacturers.

Through the medium of a training day arranged by Shaun Greasley, TecDoc’s commercial manager for UK and Eire, the system was demonstrated to key users and a barrage of improvements were explained and demonstrated by Karin Ray and Michael Sluyterman from TecDoc, Germany.

Shaun Greasley explained: “To date, although the data management system has been effective, the process to update the data held by TecDoc centrally has been a lengthy and slightly complicated procedure to go through.

“With the growing use of TecDoc – 368 brands are now available to CATALOG users – the system needed to be updated and made more user-friendly. As a result, TecDoc has made a considerable investment and replaced the existing content management system with a new product, which brings the data management right up-to-date and will markedly improve the experience for TecDoc suppliers.”

Rather than relying on the previous DDM data management system for updating supplier’s data, the new Product Development Module (PDM) has been developed. Users can now decide whether to have a single mediator (system controller), or separate users for each brand they have represented through TecDoc. Flexibility is the key to the new system, so even if there is a single mediator it is possible to have one set of data for all brands or separate the data for each brand. The system can be accessed from any computer or via a link to a central machine.

From the data-editing window, users can set up the necessary privileges for each system user (to view just brake discs for example) and tailor the window to suit the company’s data requirements. Each users ‘usage’ can be monitored or tracked.

Whereas the previous system updated the parts data every quarter via FTP, PDM allows updates online on a weekly basis, so users can update their data one day and the updates will be available the following day.

The PDM links all the data for updating, so users can either update TecDoc’s central data or only their reference data, which runs alongside the TecDoc data and is used to populate their own catalogues or their bespoke TecDoc WEB SHOP portal. These additions can be made on a country/regional basis if required.

Users are now able to use an LCV category in addition to the PC and CV categories. PDM will also allow users to create their own categories (tabs) such as ‘agricultural vehicles’ or ‘motorcycles’ etc. Customised categories can be seen on the customer’s TecDoc Webshop.

When updating with the PDM system, Mass Data Entry is now possible. In the past each new entry had to be set up individually. However, the new system allows users to copy and paste information directly from an excel spreadsheet and updated via the PDM.

After making these major revisions and improvements to the data management system, TecDoc is now fine-tuning the system by inviting its users to comeback with suggestions in order to streamline the software and make the system as user-friendly as possible.

“Phoenix will make a big difference to those suppliers that already have their brands on TecDoc, but the increased usability of the system will also attract those suppliers who may have previously objected to TecDoc on the grounds of the technical requirements needed internally in order to keep their data up-to-date,” concluded Greasley.

To learn more of what TecDoc can do for your business, contact Shaun Greasley on 01829 752888 or email:  

ENDS

Notes for editors
TecDoc CATALOG, the trading name of its electronic parts catalogue information, provides a multi-brand parts solution to the vehicle service industry and at present, more than 360 replacement parts brands are represented on the TecDoc data system. Available online and via DVD, the catalogue lists over 2.54 million part numbers in 24 languages and provides more than 1.19 million supporting illustrations. This covers more than 41,000 car and in excess of 30,000 CV applications and TecDoc is compatible with all computer systems and software.