Why was Free-Cat created?

All participants in the aftermarket supply chain stand to benefit if manufacturers’ data gets to the market substantially faster than it does today.  Currently it typically takes many electronic parts catalog service providers anywhere from 60 to 150 days to get manufacturers’ updates to market.  This includes time to “map” data from industry standard formats in which manufacturers submit the data into the proprietary formats used by many of the commercial eCats.  Additional time is required to run validation routines, burn the data to discs and mail them to users, which is still the most common method of distribution used by both commercial and private eCats. 

Even more problematic than the delays in getting new parts and carry forward data to the market quickly is the delay in fixing data errors.  Some of these errors are created by poor data management on the part of manufacturers and some are the result of mapping errors by the eCats.  Regardless of the source of the errors, the amount of time (again, typically 60 to 150 days) it takes to fix them in the field is unacceptable.  Free-Cat was created as a means of getting manufacturer data into the marketplace faster and more accurately.

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In plain language, what is Free-Cat?

The Free-Cat model is a replication of how manufacturers used to take the lead in developing catalogs and distributing them.  In the traditional model manufacturers assumed responsibility for their catalog data from beginning to end.  They researched OEM applications and engineered products and validated them for form, fit & function.  They assigned part numbers to the products and then aggregated the data and published it in paper catalogs.  Then they distributed those catalogs (through channel partners) to jobbers and installers.  The goal of Free-Cat is to electronically replicate that traditional aftermarket distribution model for catalogs. 

Free-Cat is three pieces of technology and a governance/oversight body.  The technology components consist of 1) a standards-based look-up utility, which is connected to a 2) common shared database populated with the application data that can be shared via a 3) member registered website or through authorized developers.

The standards-based look-up utility is what is more commonly called an eCat.  It has the capability to match a year, make and model of a vehicle with a part number of a replacement parts manufacturer. 

That catalog is connected to a common shared database populated with the application data of member companies.  That application data consists of a typical list of information that companies share today with commercial eCats to enable lookups (Year, Make, Model, Part Description, Per Vehicle Quantity, CID, Blue Price, etc.).

The third piece of technology is Free-Cat.com.  Free-Cat.com will be a website available to all legitimate aftermarket practitioners who require the most up-to-date information about the auto parts that they sell or install.  Installers and parts resellers can register to receive a password that gives them access to the site.  

The governance body is a board of directors that screens members for ethical data practices and authorizes developers to use Free-Cat technology on the condition that no transaction fees are added for channel partners who use it to look up parts.  Hence, a free eCat for the marketplace.

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Is Free-Cat an Industry Data Warehouse?

No, it is not. 

Free-Cat differs the conventional concept of an IDW or a data pool in two important ways.  First it is not a repository all the data required by automotive aftermarket trading partners, meaning product and application data.  Free-Cat contains only the data that is required to do a conventional eCat lookup to match a replacement part to an application and see how much it costs.  Hence, it contains only a small number of the fields that would be in a data pool. As such the database contains only MMY data application data and a limited number of PIES fields, like price, quantity, unit of measure and brand/company info.  So if one needs a spark plug for a Subaru it will return the appropriate part number, but can supply no additional data (images, dimensions, instructions, etc.)  It is a catalog database like other commercial and private eCats use.  It is different in that it is based completely on AAIA standards rather than being proprietary.

The other critical difference is that the Free-Cat database is just another “ship to” point for manufacturer data, meaning that it is not a redistribution point for data as a pool or IDW would be.  Data is imported into Free-Cat in bulk batches and is shared in single quires.  It is never redistributed to populate a website or other “user catalog.”  And Free-Cat would have none of the synchronization capabilities that a pool would have.  While it will have some data checking capabilities, it is only to partially validate the incoming data, there is no ability to sync between trading partners.

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What is the criteria for a manufacturer to join Free-Cat?

Membership in Free-Cat is available to firms that are bona fide suppliers of authentic motor vehicle parts and accessories with unique identifying numbers, letters or a combination of numbers and letters that are neither copied nor derived from similar parts produced by any other firm without the other firm’s express consent and authorization.

Bona fide suppliers of authentic motor vehicle parts and accessories will generally:

• Utilize both a unique part numbering system and uniform product codes issued to the firm by GS1 (formerly the Uniform Code Council).

• Have one or more formal written agreements to obtain original equipment data from an OEM licensed data supplier.

• Develop and mass produce printed catalogues utilizing either a full time staff of individuals dedicated solely to catalogue development and production or utilizing a signatory data provider service pursuant to the Free-Cat signatory data provider program.

• Create and distribute original product images of the motor vehicle parts and accessories that are supplied by the firm.

• Design and develop original products along with corresponding product application data.

Membership in Free-Cat is available only to firms that demonstrate the general characteristics of a bona fide supplier of authentic motor vehicle parts and accessories.  Applications for membership in Free-Cat shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors to ascertain whether the applicant has submitted sufficient verifiable information to establish eligibility for membership.  The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, give weighted consideration to one or more of the general characteristics that distinguish a bona fide supplier of authentic motor vehicle parts and accessories.

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Is Free-Cat available to developers?

Free-Cat is a lookup utility that is available to any third party developer.  It is an eCat that queries the Free-Cat database and brings back a part number for the MMY queried.  Hence, third party developers do not have to create an app to do parts lookup, they can use the one provided by Free-Cat and connect with the Free-Cat database that is populated with the application data of Free-Cat’s members.  The ONLY way that the Free-Cat database can be queried is by using the Free-Cat lookup utility.

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What is the purpose of Free-Cat.com?

Free-Cat.com is a way for any counterman or installer to gain access to the most up to date application data for all participating manufacturers in a single look-up.  By registering with the site a counterman or tech can log on to Free-Cat.com and do a search for a part number for the MMY vehicle he is working on.  This would enable him to then call a supplier with a valid part number and order the part conventionally.

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Who started Free-Cat?

Several leading aftermarket parts suppliers got the Free-Cat ball rolling by putting up seed money to allow a manageable number of volunteers to meet and conceive the structure and governance of Free-Cat.  Those companies were, Affinia, Bosch, Cardone, Dayco, Federal Mogul, Gates, Standard Motor Products and Tenneco.  These companies have no special rights or ownership in Free-Cat.  Most do have seats on the board of directors primarily out of respect for the need for oversight of the seed money they invested.

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How is Free-Cat overseen and managed?

Free-Cat is an independent, not-for-profit corporation incorporated in the state of Illinois. It is led by a board of directors representing a cross section of leading aftermarket manufacturers.

Free-Cat is governed by a board of directors elected from its membership.  The board consists of the Chair, Vice Chair, Immediate Past Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, Standing Committee Chairs, and up to four Directors at Large.  The standing committees include the Membership Committee, who is responsible for screening and accepting members, the Technology Committee, who retain and oversee contract service providers while maintaining the vibrancy of the technology and the Communication/Marketing Committee who is responsible for education and communications to the various publics of Free-Cat.