For many OEMs, aftermarket parts sales are a growing revenue driver. Yet, too often, companies delay digitizing their parts catalogs because they feel their content, drawings, and BOMs aren’t perfectly organized. This hesitation leads to missed sales, inefficiencies, and frustrated customers who struggle to find the right parts quickly.
The Cost of Waiting
OEMs often believe they need a fully structured and optimized content strategy before adopting a digital parts catalog. However, in reality, delaying implementation can have real consequences:
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Lost sales from customers who struggle to navigate outdated PDF parts catalogs.
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Increased support calls due to technicians and dealers unable to quickly find the right part.
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Operational inefficiencies, as manual updates to parts data slow down Tech Pubs teams and introduce errors.
Meanwhile, forward-thinking OEMs are digitizing their parts catalogs now - enhancing customer experiences and streamlining aftermarket sales.
How Interactive Parts Catalogs Drive Immediate Impact
A digital parts catalog isn’t just about organizing data; it’s about making it accessible and actionable. Here’s how moving forward today, rather than waiting for content to be perfect, can create immediate benefits:
1. Identify Areas for Improvement
A fragmented, manual approach to aftermarket content management drains time and resources. Implementing a content library with interactive parts catalogs forces a structured approach to re-evaluating and resetting aftermarket sales and content strategy, requiring business process re-thinking that highlights inefficiencies and gaps.
2. Data-Driven Decision-Making
Aftermarket content software allows OEMs to start with what they have, then gain insights into usage patterns. By tracking trends and user behavior, businesses can refine strategies, eliminate inefficiencies, and prioritize the most impactful initiatives. Companies that actively analyze data (generally provided by the very software they have implemented) can make informed decisions to improve their aftermarket parts and equipment content resources and enhance overall support.
3. Reduce Customer Support Burdens Quickly
When parts content is hard to find, technicians and dealers rely on phone calls and emails to confirm details. By digitizing even partial data now, OEMs can reduce support volume and free up teams for higher-value activities.
4. Enhance Revenue Potential and Customer Loyalty
A seamless parts buying experience leads to more frequent orders, increased upsell opportunities, and stronger customer retention. Digitally enabled aftermarket operations make it easy for customers to return - rather than looking elsewhere.
5. Make It Easier to Find and Buy Parts for Newer Models now
Customers and service teams need quick, accurate access to parts information. A structured digital catalog, even just focused on your latest models of machines now, allows for:
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Intuitive search by serial number, model, or keyword.
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Visual navigation using hotspotted diagrams and 3D models.
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Faster ordering and fewer incorrect purchases.
Take the First Step - Don’t Wait
OEMs that act now can gain a competitive edge while refining content over time. Perfection isn’t necessary - momentum is.
The key takeaway? Don’t let imperfect or disorganized content hold you back. Start digitizing your parts catalog today, optimize as you go, and unlock the full revenue potential of your aftermarket business.
What’s stopping your organization from making the move?
