Introducing: Introducing:

Free-CatFree-Cat

A Standards Based, Industry Owned Parts Look-Up Utility & Database

Brent BermanFederal Mogul

Free-Cat is Not Exactly a Free-Cat is Not Exactly a Revolutionary ConceptRevolutionary Concept

The goal is to electronically replicate the aftermarket’s traditional distribution model for catalogs

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In The Traditional ModelIn The Traditional Model

1.Manufacturers assumed responsibility for their catalog data:– Researched OEM applications– Engineered products– Assigned part numbers– Validated form, fit & function– Aggregated the data and published it – Distributed catalogs (through channel

partners) to jobbers and installers

The goal is to replicate that The goal is to replicate that model - Electronicallymodel - Electronically

The goal is to replicate that The goal is to replicate that model - Electronicallymodel - Electronically

Three Simple Objectives:Three Simple Objectives:

1. Address the needs of our common customer, the installer, ahead of everything else

2. Get additional and more accurate data to the market, faster

3. Treat data and other intellectual property securely and fairly on behalf of its owner

Regrettably…Regrettably…

Not Being Done TodayNot Being Done Today!!Regrettably…Regrettably…

Not Being Done TodayNot Being Done Today!!

1. Address Customer Needs First1. Address Customer Needs First

Put the needs of Techs ahead of Mfg, Retailers, Program Groups, WD & Jobbers

– Provide techs with the flexibility they want:• Choice to see all brands & to buy those they want• Option to purchase from multiple sources• Designate a “first choice” for both brand & store • Uncluttered desktop• Learn one style of navigation• Access to more technical & product info

2. Better data to the market, faster2. Better data to the market, faster

1.It is taking TOO LONG to get updates to market

2.Need web-based syndication to assure updates are in the market in hours or days; not weeks or months

3.To assure quality of data no one is better qualified and has a greater interest than does the data's owner

4.Marketplace feedback must be shared back to the data owner to ratchet up quality

3. Treat intellectual property fairly3. Treat intellectual property fairly

1.Current market data practices are too loose

2.Data should only be shared with parties authorized by the data owner

3.Current practices have resulted in an overall degradation of IP security

4.Free-Cat will help data owners assert more control

3. Treat intellectual property fairly3. Treat intellectual property fairly

1.Only data that is the property of the data owner is allowed in Free-Cat

2.Data in Free-Cat will only be shared with parties authorized by the data owner

3.Data in Free-Cat will never be sold to anyone

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Manufacturer I.P.Manufacturer I.P.

Free-Cat Membership CriteriaFree-Cat Membership Criteria

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

From the Free-Cat By-Laws

Free-Cat Membership CriteriaFree-Cat Membership Criteria

Bona fide suppliers will generally:• Utilize a unique part numbering system &

UPC codes issued by GS1

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

• Design & develop original products and corresponding product application data

From the Free-Cat By-Laws

Free-Cat Membership CriteriaFree-Cat Membership Criteria

Bona fide suppliers will generally:• Develop & mass produce printed catalogs

either using a dedicated full time catalog staff or a Free-Cat signatory data provider

• Create & distribute original product images of parts & accessories that are supplied by the firm

From the Free-Cat By-Laws

What is Free-Cat?What is Free-Cat?

A “Manufacturer-Led” Model A “Manufacturer-Led” Model

What Free-Cat is Not…What Free-Cat is Not…

1. A commercial eCat

2. An “industry data warehouse”

3. An exchange or hub for purchase transactions between trading partners

4. An unrestricted web site that makes theft easier for data pirates

What Free-Cat is… What Free-Cat is…

1.A standards-based look-up utility – matches a year, make & model with a part #

2.Database of member companies application data

3.A website with up-to-the-minute data for installers & countermen

4.A governance body that:– Screens members for ethical data practices– Authorizes developers to use Free-Cat

What Makes Free-Cat Different?What Makes Free-Cat Different?

1.Now - software developers must license an existing commercial eCat

2.That typically means an upfront fee & a per transaction fee

3.Adds cost to eCommerce

4.There is no alternative look up utility with a well populated data base… until now

Free-Cat is…Free-Cat is…

1.An independent not-for-profit corporation2.Manufacturer led (data owner led)

3.No employees (volunteers & contract providers)

4.Standards based5.Free to resellers and service dealers6.Cost-effective for manufacturers &

developers

Who Started Free-CatWho Started Free-Cat

Leading suppliers got the ball rolling:

§ BoschBosch§ DaycoDayco§ GatesGates§ TennecoTenneco

§ AffiniaAffinia§ CardoneCardone§ Federal MogulFederal Mogul§ Standard MotorStandard Motor

Free-Cat Membership Is Open To Free-Cat Membership Is Open To AllAll Aftermarket Suppliers Who Aftermarket Suppliers Who

QualifyQualify

Why Not Through an Association?Why Not Through an Association?

1.Competing interests of membership– Technology providers– Manufacturers with no data capability

2.Need for timely action – Smaller groups can move faster– Control could eventually be turned over

once the path is set

How Will It Work?How Will It Work?

1.Data owners submit data to Free-Cat

2.Free-Cat distributes it electronically

3.User feedback shared with data owner

4.Corrections & updates made & approved by data owner are immediately redistributed

How is Data Submitted? How is Data Submitted?

1.Data can be submitted in any format (ACES is preferred, but also Legacy, XML, Excel, flat files)

2.Manufacturers can submit data directly or use a signatory data service

What is a Signatory Data Service?What is a Signatory Data Service?

1.One that signs an agreement obligating it to:– Honor the data practices of Free-Cat– Never use pirated data– Protect the intellectual property of other

companies

Is there actually a Free-Cat?Is there actually a Free-Cat?

1.No - Not in the sense of a branded service

2.More like “Intel Inside” or Saber

3.The look-up engine inside commercial aftermarket applications

4.Yes - In that there is a website with up-to-the-minute data for installers & countermen

How is Data Distributed?How is Data Distributed?

Two ways:

1.Free-Cat.com

2.Signatory developer’s applications

Free-Cat.comFree-Cat.com

1.Site free to any aftermarket practitioner

2.Registration/validation required

3.Ability to access the database & look up applications for all member brands

4.No pricing, stock checking or ordering

5.An on-line resource to find & research application and product data, with a SINGLE NAVAGATION STYLE

Signatory DevelopersSignatory Developers

Any software developer that wishes to

utilize the Free-Cat catalog may do so by

signing a developer's agreement and

paying an annual fee

Signatory DevelopersSignatory Developers

Agree to:

1.Use only data provided by Free-Cat

2.Never charge transaction fees to users

3.Make all brands in Free-Cat visible to techs

4.Share any and all enhancements made to the look-up utility with other developers and users

What Does It Cost?What Does It Cost?

Free-Cat manufacturer annual dues:– $7500 but adjustments may be made based

on number of lines/brands; SKU’s; annual sales and condition of data

Developers – $7500 annually for unlimited use

Channel Partners & Installers– Free unless they are acting as a developer

Questions?Questions?

Let’s Talk About It…