Shop Equipment Vendors and Software Developers
Your customers are seeking to increase shop productivity and profitability. One way they can do that is by investing in shop equipment and systems that reduce nonproductive activity, increase profitable work flow and enhance their ability to satisfy their customers.
Makers of high-tech equipment and systems benefit from having a single technology standard for interoperability to build to. Industry standards eliminate risky decisions, reduce development costs and cycle times, and provide proven, predictable results.
The iSHOP standard was developed by the leading makers of shop equipment and information systems under the direction of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). iSHOP uses XML Web Services technology to enable a wide variety of servers and clients to share information about the customer, the vehicle, the work order, service and repair history as well as parts and labor information seamlessly throughout the service environment. Click here to view the i.SHOP Interface Diagrams.
Shop equipment vendors and software developers must follow the iSHOP specification to ensure interoperability with other iSHOP applications and devices. AAIA has developed two lost-cost paths for developers to follow in bringing iSHOP products to market.
A number of shop management software providers are recognized as ALLDATA Partners. These companies typically integrate the ALLDATA Parts and Labor Guide into their SMS application to aid with estimates and repair orders. ALLDATA has declared that i•SHOP methods of integration are the only ones supported by their information services. ALLDATA Partners wishing to integrate their software with ALLDATA must follow the i•SHOP standard and utilize the AAIA Vehicle Configuration Database (VCdb) for vehicle identification.
ALLDATA currently supports the i.SHOP version 2.0 specification, which uses a Microsoft interface, COM / DCOM, for interoperability. To Download the i.SHOP version 2.0 specification click here.
ALLDATA Partners must also complete the i•SHOP Intellectual Property Agreement, submit an application form and remit the ALLDATA Partners fee ($1,500 annually) to AAIA to receive a login to access the regular updates to the AAIA vehicle database. Upon receipt of a completed packet AAIA will issue a login to the Vehicle Configuration database, which is essential to any i.SHOP implementation. Upon completion of successful product integration, ALLDATA will recognize the SMS product as compliant and AAIA will list the products on the i•SHOP Web site. To download the complete ALLDATA Partners packet click here.
Makers of diagnostic and repair equipment, scan tools, information servers and shop management software who wish to enable the full range of i.SHOP functionality must become i.SHOP Participants. i•SHOP Participants receive access to the AAIA vehicle database as well as the complete i.SHOP version 3 Software Developers Kit (SDK). The SDK includes the i•SHOP Functional and Technical Implementation Guides as well as sample code and test server and test client applications. The i•SHOP SDK is designed to simplify product development and save a significant amount of software development and integration effort.
The current i.SHOP standard uses XML and Web Services to integrate discreet applications on the shop network and over the Web. Interested Participants may evaluate the Functional Guide and the Technical Implementation Guide for i.SHOP version 3.0.
To Download the i.SHOP version 3.0 (Build 1) Functional and Technical Implementation Guides click here
To receive a login to the i•SHOP Portal (home of the i•SHOP SDK) and access to the AAIA Vehicle Configuration database participants must complete the i•SHOP Intellectual Property Agreement, submit the i•SHOP application and remit the i•SHOP Participation Fee (volume based and ranging from $3,000 to $12,000 annually). To download the complete i•SHOP Participants package click here.
Only iSHOP Participants in good standing may submit their completed products to AAIA for product testing and certification. Products passing this process are the only products recognized as i.SHOP Certified and posted on the iSHOP web site.
For further information about becoming an iSHOP Participant contact the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association by writing to ishop@aftermarket.org or call iSHOP Program Administration at (301) 654-6664.