Canadian Tire Rolls Out Epicor Electronic Catalog

Canadian Tire Corporation has converted its 489 full-service retail stores to the Epicor LaserCat 3 electronic catalog interface. This investment was part of the company's Automotive Infrastructure initiative, which updated all software and hardware across the chain.

 

"We are investing in best-in-class information, selling tools and training to empower our staff to provide a superior automotive customer experience," said Jim McCown, vice president of automotive for Canadian Tire. "Epicor and LaserCat 3 are playing central roles in this initiative."

 

The Epicor LaserCat 3 interface enables vehicle parts providers to accelerate lookup and selling processes while also enhancing the customer experience through a variety of value-added services. The bi-lingual tool features a Microsoft Windows-based interface that is designed to increase efficiency and help new team members gain proficiency at the parts counter.

 

"We're more likely to find and sell the right part for every customer using this new tool," said Bill Konlup, parts manager at Canadian Tire's Edmonton West store in Alberta. "We can locate the parts easier and the breadth of lines is much greater. If it's not in our system, I'm now 99 percent certain that the part is not available anywhere in the aftermarket."

 

Users can navigate between the latest parts information, a comprehensive flat-rate labor guide and other seamlessly integrated tools to identify and sell the proper products for repair as well as identify and the products a customer needs rather than what they initially ask for. The user interface consolidates critical part and application information within a single screen and enables users to launch lookups with any of three types of input (year/make/model/engine, vehicle identification number or part description). The tool is linked to the comprehensive Epicor PartExpert database, which provides Canadian Tire store professionals with the industry's manufacturer product data and vehicle applications.

 

Epicor PartExpert Editor is also included, which enables Canadian Tire and other users to expand catalog data with additional information and eliminate lost sales, reduce returns and sell parts that otherwise would not display. Users also have access to the Epicor All Lines and InterChange modules to help maximize sales of existing inventories and enable counter professionals to search for parts beyond standard suppliers.

 

Other value-added databases include the Epicor BuyerAssist guide, LaborExpert flat-rate labor guide and Service Intervals Plus OE-recommended maintenance schedules. These allow for access to detailed part photos and diagrams, installation instructions and other important information integrathed through the Epicor Cover-to-Cover module.