ACES 4.2 & PIES: What Good Looks Like in 2025

Introduction
By 2025, clean catalog data is no longer “nice to have” — it’s the cost of doing business. With suppliers, distributors, and e-commerce players all relying on standardized data, ACES 4.2 and PIES have become the backbone of aftermarket information exchange.

What Changed in ACES 4.2

• Expanded attributes for EV and hybrid applications
• Better handling of engine designations and sub-models
• Tighter alignment with VCdb, PCdb, and Qdb tables
• Greater emphasis on brand consistency via Brand Table

What “Good” Looks Like

• 100% compliance with validation rules in OptiCat/SEMA
• Carry-ups extended correctly across new model years
• All new products supported with complete attribute sets (weight, dimensions, materials)
• Image files attached in the right formats, sizes, and naming standards

Business Impact

A supplier who meets these standards:

• Has fewer distributor rejections
• Sees faster time-to-market for NPIs
• Earns more online sales due to better fitment accuracy