PRESS RELEASES

ROBERT BOSH SALES CORPORATION WINS 2004 AFTERMARKET WEB CHALLENGE™

On Oct. 19 at its annual Fall Conference, the MIS Council recognized Robert Bosch Sales Corporation of Broadview, Ill., as Winner of the 2004 Aftermarket Web Challenge™ (AWC) for its extranet application Bosch Online Advantage.

This year's competition, which focused on business-to-business extranets. Finalists were judged by MIS Council members from leading aftermarket companies on a predetermined set of criteria, including parts catalog/ordering, promotions, Return on Investment and general content.

"The Bosch Online Advantage provides our customers with information and online order processing any time day or night," said Frank Guido, director of systems and e-business development for Robert Bosch Corporation. Knut (Ben) Bendixen, president - Automotive Aftermarket for Robert Bosch Corporation stated, "As the Internet continues to become more vital for business, Bosch is especially pleased that its B2B site has been recognized as the best Web site in the automotive aftermarket."

Bosch formally launched its extranet site to warehouse distributors at the 2003 AAPEX show. Bosch continually updated the site throughout 2004, incorporating order search features and online document retrieval. Key highlights of the award-winning extranet application include:

> Order management, including emergency orders and order tracking,
> Product and real-time availability look-up,
> Self-service administration,
> Promotional information, and
> MyDocsOnline, a feature that enables customers to view electronic documents such as invoices, credit memos, statements and return authorizations.

The MIS Council Board of Governors selected three finalists in September 2004 based on written applications and screen shots of applicant extranet sites. Finalists were Robert Bosch Corporation, KEM Manufacturing Co. of Fairlawn, N.J., and Car Component Technologies, Inc. of Bedford, N.H. (a division of American Remanufacturers, Inc.).

“It is apparent through the number of first-rate applications submitted for the 2004 Web Challenge that many aftermarket manufacturers are seeing the value in developing extranet sites for their customers,” said Rick Bruback, IT director for Clevite Engine Parts and chairman of the MIS Council Board of Governors. “This year's competition provided a great benchmark for aftermarket manufacturer attendees who also have developed similar extranets and for those in the planning stages.”

Look here for details in spring of 2005 on regarding the 2005 Aftermarket Web Challenge focus and details.