Do you remember your MIS (manager of information systems) running an IT department that maintained fax machines, printers, desktops, terminals, keyboards, copiers, phone systems and projectors?
Today’s CIOs and CTOs are a far cry from the MIS who would drop by your desk a few minutes after you would call to reboot your desktop for you. Today’s corporate objectives drive technologists in evaluating and managing virtual networks, redundant server farms, ever-changing budgets, global ERP systems, specific customer requirements and emerging technology trends.
Technology is critical to every area of an aftermarket business. This concept is not new. What is new is the size of the range of disciplines or business areas that technology enables.
Participants in the 2012 AASA Technology Council (ATC) IT Spend & Trends Survey provided insight to the business imperatives that are currently having the greatest impact on IT spending. Responses included the need for analytics, improving customer relationships, improving efficiencies, customer requirements for EDI, business process improvements through ERP enhancements, support of M&A activities, business intelligence, Big Data, mobile apps, Web sites, customer interfaces and much more.
We now work in an environment in which the distinction between computers and business has been eliminated. Field salesmen are requesting enhancements to mobile apps that enable them to present real-time supply chain data to customers. Technologists are participating in and contributing to strategic and long-term business plans.
Several aftermarket companies have established key positions that oversee communications and project requirements between IT and business. A few have dedicated data analytics professionals that are uniquely qualified to understand market requirements, customer needs, data and computer technology.
The 2013 ATC Fall Conference will dive deep into this topic as the theme of Convergence: Business & Technology will enable attendees to identify how the two areas cannot be separate and how this trend will directly impact their businesses. To enable manufacturers to take full advantage of the Convergence theme, the AASA Marketing Executives Council (MEC) will hold its Fall Meeting during the Fall Conference and will attend the event. Marketing and Technology leaders from the same companies will sit together and discuss the technology areas that will directly impact the future growth or their respective businesses. More details on the event, which will be held October 13-16, are available at www.aasatechnology.org.
Editor's Note: Chris Gardner is vice president, programs and member services, for the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). He is the executive director of the AASA Technology Council (ATC), which provides leadership and a forum for technology leaders from supplier companies to exchange best practices, identify leading technology trends and address technology issues in the aftermarket.
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