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Question

Software / Cloud Platform for Auto Parts management

Sep 25, 2015 11:01PM PDT

Hello everybody, my name is Adrian.
We own a second hand car part store. We buy cars, disassemble them, and sell them by piece.
At the current moment all the prices are, unfortunately, in my head, so we need to catalogue them in some way.
I need a platform where i can organize this data, so it will be easy for other employees to find a specific car part with their specific price and details.

For example I just both a Hyundai Accent 2008 1.5 CRDi.
I need to be able to create several categories as follows:
Manufacturer - Model - Production interval - Body style - Engine Engine type / Engine power
Hyundai - Accent - 2005 2011 - 4 door sedan - 1.5 CRDi - D4FA / 112cp
A specific set of parts will be added for this entry, i need to preset specific sets of items for each variation of the vehicle.

In addition, Kia Rio 2005 - 2011 is the equivalent of Hyundai Accent 2005 - 2011, 80% of the parts are the same.
It will go in different categories, but the two must be connected in some way, if i do changes to one auto part (Rio) i need to control whether it affects both entries (Rio and Accent) or just the one i’m currently working on (Rio).

Looking from the pricing point of view, there are several classes:
Class A - the lowest value ($)
Class B - ($$)
Class C - ($$$)
Etc.
When adding a new vehicle, this attribute needs to be set so that the prices will apply automatically for all the parts that the entry generates, afterwards the price list will be fine tuned.

Using a different approach, it can be relatively easy to implement:
Level 1 - Pricing Class (will define the price for all the parts)
Level 2 - Manufacturer
Level 3 - Car model (at this point the standard set of items will be added)
Level 4 - Production interval
Level 5 - Body style
a) 4 door sedan (4 door sedan car parts will be added)
b) 2 door hatchback (2 door hatchback car parts will be added)
c) etc
Level 6 - Engine
a) diesel engine
i. classic diesel engine (classic diesel engine part package added)
ii. common rail diesel engine
iii. etc
b) gasoline engine
Level 7 - Engine type, Engine Power
Level 8 - Additional options (checklist of some sort)
a) AC (will add several items)
b) ABS (will add several items)
c) ESP (will add several items)
d) etc.

I need to be able to predefine specific sets of items for each variation.

Our first top priority is to index all the cars so that we have a flexible, easy to find price list, where employees can add, delete, change data, input pictures or notes. Eventually it will be used as an inventory program. Maybe in the future, an online shop.

I think i covered all the important aspects of the program, with all the platforms out there I’m sure all of this can be accomplished in multiple and easier ways, so please share whatever knowledge you think will help.
Thank You!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
call some "junk yards", find out what they use
Sep 25, 2015 11:20PM PDT

I do a lot of my own car work, less as I've aged, but every junk or scrap yard I've picked parts up have software that not only catalogues their parts, but share that with other yards both in area and out of area. There's like an entire junkyard network, so probably all use similar or same software. That's where you'd find what you need.

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Answer
Parts dealer software. Solution found?
Oct 19, 2015 7:41PM PDT

Adrian, can you tell us if you have found your catalog solution yet? I especially would love to know how you got on.

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Answer
Project Management Software
Nov 18, 2015 9:25AM PST

Hi there,

I work for a major city hospital and we were struggling with something similar- how to keep track of so many different items, keep everyone informed in real time of any changes, and access the information from anywhere. After looking and looking for software, the only programs that we could find were either really expensive, didn't do what we needed them to, or were way too complicated for everyone to use. So we wrote our own.

The software has integrated modules for different tasks. You pick which ones you want. Our project manager software has custom Info Sheets that would allow you to include all of the attributes that you've listed, and keep your team informed of any changes as you make them.

If you want to a feel for the vibe of our approach, check our introduction video: https://youtube/u0FAfx_KE0A.

Let me know if there's anything I can answer.

Thanks!

Caitlyn