The new technology will support Ford's expanded efforts to work with its dealers to provide improved service to the end customer, said Don Johnson, Ford’s director of global parts supply & logistics. It will also allow Ford and its dealers to share parts inventory information in real time.
The partners say the new logistics information system is being specially designed to accommodate the needs of global companies with diverse product lines, such as Ford and Cat, and will offer greater capability than service-parts logistics systems that are currently available.
Through its Cat Logistics subsidiary, Caterpillar will provide a wide range of aftermarket logistics services to Ford. In addition to implementing the new logistics information technology at Ford and Caterpillar, the alliance will also market the capabilities of the new system to other customers.