Work with ACES and PIES data

ACES and PIES are the North American standards for automotive aftermarket data: ACES for vehicle fitment, PIES for product information. SKULaunch holds both kinds of data on each part, so you can work with suppliers and customers who exchange data in those standards.

The problem

ACES and PIES files are XML built around standard code sets, which makes them powerful for exchange and hard to work with directly. Teams receive files they cannot read, or are asked to supply them without the data structured in the right way. Versions change, and the gap between what a supplier sends and what a customer expects widens.

Before and after

An illustrative example for a brake pad set.

Before: what the team has

A supplier ACES file nobody can open without a developer, and product details in a separate spreadsheet.

After: in SKULaunch

• Fitment held as structured applications on the part, ACES-style
• Product attributes, descriptions and packaging held PIES-style
• Both linked on the same part record
• Data exported for customers in the structure they request

How it works in SKULaunch

1. Structure fitment and product data. Hold applications and attributes on each part.
2. Import what suppliers send. Bring in supplier data and map it to your structure.
3. Fill the gaps. Enrich product attributes and descriptions from sources.
4. Export. Produce data in the format customers expect. Confirm ACES and PIES formats and versions with us for your set-up.

Fitment and product data are two halves

ACES answers "what does it fit?" and PIES answers "what is it?". Parts businesses often have one half in good shape and the other neglected. A part with perfect fitment and no specifications still loses sales, and a well-described part with no fitment cannot be found by vehicle. Hold both on the same record and measure completeness on each.

What changes

Fitment and product data live together, and exchanging data with North American partners stops depending on specialist tools.

Common questions

Do you support specific ACES and PIES versions?

Confirm the versions and formats you need with us before committing.

Is this relevant outside North America?

The same principles apply to UK and Australian parts data, which use different vehicle references.

Is fitment included?

Fitment is available as an add-on.

See fitment data, ACES and PIES explained, and vehicle applications.