OEConnection LLC, a provider of online solutions for OEM distribution networks, has added a Short Message Service (SMS) notification feature to D2D Express, an e-commerce backorder parts sourcing and fulfillment solution for the automotive industry. The enhancement allows dealers to instantly commit to selling a part from their inventory, or decline the offer, directly from their SMS-enabled phone, mobile device or email account. By eliminating the need for dealers to be at their desktop computers to respond to D2D Express orders, the SMS notification feature is expected to increase the speed at which backordered auto parts can be delivered to waiting customers.
Introduced in 2005, D2D Express complements OEConnection’s D2DLink online parts locating tool used by GM, Ford and 27 other OEMs and their dealership networks throughout North America. The solution uses sophisticated sourcing algorithms, based on time and distance, to automatically identify backordered parts in circulation and proactively offer stocking dealers the opportunity to sell the part back to their OEM. The order is filled by the first dealer to accept the online transaction.
The SMS notification feature is among six new technologies revealed at OEConnection’s InnovationFest 2012, an internal program that gives developers the opportunity to spend time outside of their normal workday to create new and innovative technologies.
“InnovationFest allowed me to take time to address customer feedback and create a working prototype to prove out the concept,” said OEConnection Senior Software Engineer and InnovationFest Team Lead Jeff McCleary. “I am excited to see the OEConnection development and product teams bring this to market.”
According to McCleary, what makes D2D Express SMS notifications innovative compared to traditional pager or email notifications is the capability for two-way communications. “Receiving notifications quickly is important,” McCleary said. “But having the ability to respond directly from the device could mean the difference between winning and losing a parts sale.”
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