Four years later we successfully printed out over 250,000 microfiche pages, and key punched the data into my relational database which utlimately became the first ever OE electronic parts catalog for Windows. We literally printed out every page that had the parts we stocked for vehicles dating back to 1960. This fiche-to-database auto parts cataloging process used advanced software that we created so that we could hire key punch operators to collect the data. The software did the heavy lifting, collating and building the necessary tables so that we could inexpensively keep updating the catalog as time went on.

So we had an electronic catalog; now we had to figure out a way to get people using it.

The answer was deceptively simple: what if we create a shop management system, and embed our electronic catalog into it?

We did just that, and distributed the software and catalog to over 10,000 repair shops, auto parts stores, and car dealerships nationwide and entirely for free. The software was called MetrixWare and was the industry's first ever WINDOWS-BASED ELECTRONIC catalog and shop management system. Not bad for a kid who had only learned what an oil filter was a few short years prior.

MetrixWare began generating tons of orders but we had no way to get them to our mainframe easily, so we started working on an electronic order system. It was 1995 and the Internet was still called Arpanet and was being used only by Universities and the Government.

I knew instinctively that orders would one day make their way to our mainframe via the internet and in 1999, while I was the President of Metrix South, I received a call that we had been purchased by Worldpac. A few weeks later I found myself sitting home and collecting severance.

And so Sophio was born.

Our first client was the international bearing manufacturer Timken. We built, hosted, and managed their online electronic catalog for a mere $10,000. As our first client they helped us to formulate our plan for the industries first ONLINE WEB PARTS catalog, and we gave it away for free to the industry.

Over forty of the largest auto parts manufacturers used our web based software to build and maintain their new AAIA standard catalogs. With this data we began selling our B2C ecommerce solutions. However, forty catalogs was not enough, so I pitched Tom Ohare of Worldpac to let us license their catalog for resale to the new dot.com's popping up. I believe we were the second company to license the Worldpac catalog. The first was AutoPartsWarehouse.com (formerly The Parts Bin). If you are reading this page you likely know that Auto Parts Warehouse is the most successful retailer of auto parts in the USA today and went public just a few short years ago.

Ten years later, Sophio has powered over 3,000 retail auto part websites and managed over 10,000 domains of which 1,500 are still in operation today. Our software has generated billions of dollars of transactions over the past ten years and leads the B2C Automotive Aftermarket Software vertical.

Our largest partners include companies such as WHI Solutions (formerly Wrenchead), Worldpac, IMC, DCI, Keystone to name a few. We are recognized by the industry as the ‘go to’ guys for building, hosting, and managing your B2C auto parts site.

Now you are probably wondering why I am telling you all of this?

The answer is simple: I have spent my entire professional career in the Automotive Parts Industry, figuring out how to develop systems and processes by which to make money selling auto parts with computers and the Internet.

My clients include companies such as Advance Auto Parts, AC Delco, Meineke, Parts Plus, Mawdi/Uni-Select, and Auto Parts Giant. We work with just about every type of company in our industry, from manufacturers to big box retailers to everyone in between. I know what works, what doesn’t, and what the emerging trends are. I tell it like it is, in words that CEO’s and CIO’s and everybody down to delivery personnel can understand.

I would love the opportunity to work with your company to develop, revise, or challenge your ecommerce strategy. Hiring me as a consultant will save your company valuable time and money.

Get started by calling me at 1-888-563-2591 ext: 85 or sending me an email.

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