Tag - #qualitycontrol

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea; it’s rapidly becoming embedded in the infrastructure of global commerce. For the home appliance and HVAC parts industry, this marks a turning point. AI is not just changing how we search for parts; it’s reshaping how problems are diagnosed, repairs are guided, and how customers expect information to be delivered. Encompass is not only adapting to this shift; we are helping define it.

Across our industry, many organizations use AI for surface-level gains: automating basic service responses, generating generic content, or suggesting simple product pairings. These initiatives offer short-term value, but they miss the larger opportunity. At Encompass, we believe the true value of AI is unlocked not by using it, but by becoming the source it learns from.

Most AI tools in use today are built on publicly available data, which means their outputs often sound the same, even across different brands. In a crowded marketplace, this creates commoditization. Differentiation will no longer come from being faster or cheaper; it will come from being the expert that AI systems rely on to make decisions.

This is where Encompass takes a fundamentally different approach. We are building a foundation designed not only to serve human users but also to instruct AI systems, including emerging Large Instruction Models (LIMs), with deep, accurate, and structured content across our catalog, service workflows, technical documentation, and warranty resolution paths.

LIMs represent the next generation of AI tools that don’t just answer questions but perform expert-level tasks by following trusted instructions. They don’t rely on simple keyword matching; they depend on curated instruction sets, manufacturer-specific logic, and structured data. At Encompass, we are actively enriching our catalog and content ecosystem to support this evolution: from comprehensive parts diagrams and compatibility charts to step-by-step troubleshooting flows, service bulletins, installation support, and interactive tools that make complex data consumable by both people and machines.

This matters because user behavior is changing. Consumers, service providers, and field technicians aren’t just typing SKU numbers; they’re asking natural-language questions like, “Why isn’t my LG washer draining?” or “What’s the right board for a 2019 Samsung refrigerator?” When these questions are asked through AI-powered platforms, the systems will look for reliable, well-structured content to provide the answer. If your business hasn’t invested in that content, it’s invisible.

At Encompass, we’ve prioritized becoming visible in these new digital channels, not just through search rankings, but through direct integration into the intelligence layer itself. We’re building the infrastructure that enables AI platforms to point customers, partners, and technicians to us because we are the ones helping them solve the problem.

This approach extends far beyond product listings. We treat our product data, service manuals, return policies, technical support scripts, and even field insights as strategic assets, assets that help power AI-driven decisions. We are structuring this information to be consumed not only by humans but also by the systems that will increasingly guide how service and commerce are conducted.

This also creates a better experience for our customers and OEM partners. By embedding knowledge into the fabric of our ecosystem, whether through API integrations, guided triage modules, or warranty validation tools, we are reducing friction, increasing accuracy, and speeding up resolution time. The result is not just output efficiency, but deeper trust and reliance on Encompass as the single source of truth for service parts and support.

Looking ahead, AI will increasingly determine how service is initiated, how parts are selected, and where consumers and technicians turn for solutions. If your company’s expertise isn’t embedded in that process, you’ll be bypassed. But if you become the source that AI systems are trained on and respond with, your company becomes the digital front door to your entire industry and the gateway consumers and repair dealers.

Encompass is not simply preparing for this future; we are helping to shape it. We are aligning our content, systems, and partnerships to ensure that when someone asks a question, whether it’s typed, spoken, or triggered by a machine, the answer leads back to us.

The companies that will lead in this next chapter are those that stop treating AI as a tool and start treating it as a channel of trust, one that needs to be trained, fed, and guided with precision. That is what Encompass is doing today: not just participating in the AI revolution but building the framework that ensures AI works for our customers, our partners, and the future of service.

Be the source. Set the standard. Lead the industry.

For more information, visit www.encompass.com and www.partselect.com

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Robert Coolidge
President & CEO, Encompass Supply Chain Solutions

By Robert Coolidge, President & CEO, Encompass Supply Chain Solutions

As global trade tensions escalate and tariffs drive up the cost of finished goods, manufacturers and consumers alike are feeling the squeeze. But amid these economic headwinds lies an often-overlooked opportunity—particularly for the parts and repair industry. At Encompass, we see this as a pivotal moment to redefine the value of repair in the consumer mindset.

Rising Costs Are Redefining Consumer Behavior

With tariffs inflating the price of appliances, electronics, and other imported finished goods, the gap between the cost of repair and replacement continues to widen. Consumers are reassessing discretionary purchases, opting to repair rather than replace when the numbers make sense—and more often than not, they do.

That brand-new refrigerator or flat-screen television doesn’t seem quite so essential when the cost to repair is a fraction of the replacement price. This shift is creating tailwinds for the appliance parts business and paving the way for a more repair-friendly economy.

The Digital DIY Revolution

Technology is also empowering consumers to take repair into their own hands. E-commerce platforms, how-to videos, and detailed parts diagrams are making it easier than ever for consumers to identify, purchase, and install parts themselves.

At Encompass, we’re investing heavily in tools and platforms that simplify the entire repair process—from intuitive search features to technical support that guides consumers every step of the way. The DIY demographic has expanded far beyond hobbyists; today’s consumers are embracing repair with growing confidence and capability.  While DIY is here to stay it’s important for OEMs, Parts Distributors and contractors to promote the benefits of trained, licensed professionals.

OEMs Embrace the Repair Economy

This transformation is not limited to consumers. OEMs are increasingly recognizing the value of supporting extended product lifecycles—not just for cost efficiency, but for sustainability and customer satisfaction. Warranty providers and retailers are also adapting, leaning on supply chain partners like Encompass to streamline part availability and improve repair success rates utilizing OEM original parts.

The result is a repair ecosystem that benefits everyone: manufacturers protect their brand, consumers save money, and the environment avoids unnecessary waste.

Board-Level Repair: A Strategic Advantage for OEMs

A particularly impactful solution within this movement is board repair and core recovery. At Encompass, we work closely with manufacturers under direct engineering oversight to safely repair and recirculate high-value electronic components.

Board repair not only extends the life of products—it also provides a powerful alternative to expensive new part production, reducing exposure to raw material shortages and tariffs. This model supports OEMs in maintaining quality control, minimizing waste, and meeting sustainability goals particularly where parts are no longer available.

Protecting Against Gray Market Threats

Equally important is the protection board repair programs and affordable OEM parts offer against unauthorized gray market parts. Unvetted suppliers can flood the market with substandard components, undermining product performance and eroding brand trust.

Our OEM-certified repair processes ensure every refurbished part meets the contract manufacturers original specifications. This commitment to quality preserves both safety and customer satisfaction while helping manufacturers maintain control over their product ecosystem.  This service is only offered to our OEM partners that are committed to maintaining their products with the utmost quality control.  Visit https://solutions.encompass.com/repair-service/ for more information.

A Greener, More Resilient Supply Chain

Repairing over replacing doesn’t just make financial sense—it’s a critical part of building a greener, more resilient supply chain. By reclaiming and repairing OEM part cores, we reduce e-waste, conserve resources, and support a circular economy.

Tariffs may be disrupting traditional business models, but they also present a chance to realign with smarter, more sustainable strategies.

Looking Ahead

For Encompass and the OEMs, contractors and consumers we serve, the future is bright. Tariffs may be a headwind for finished goods, but they’re a tailwind for repair. This is our opportunity to lead a repair-first movement—where affordability, sustainability, and quality come together to meet the evolving needs of today’s consumers.

We’re just getting started.  For more information, visit www.encompass.com and www.partselect.com

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Robert Coolidge
President & CEO, Encompass Supply Chain Solutions