Infomedia and Hyundai Sign Five Year Global Data License
SYDNEY, Australia, May 8 International automotive industry
I.T. developer, Infomedia Ltd, today announced the signing of a five year
global data license agreement with Hyundai Mobis for supply of its flagship
electronic parts selling system (EPC), Microcat., to Hyundai dealers around
the world.
"Our good association with Hyundai in Australia, our warm working
relationship with Hyundai Mobis management in Korea, and the strong
performance and reputation of Microcat were significant factors leading to
Infomedia Ltd being awarded this license," said Richard Graham, Chairman and
CEO of Infomedia Ltd.
"As you know, during 2000 Hyundai was the fastest growing automaker in the
world, and they want their dealerships to have the best I.T. solutions
available. I believe this is the reason Microcat was selected from the
international field of possibilities," Graham continued. "It is exciting
working with Hyundai management in Korea, Europe and the USA. Each team is
very professional and has very clear objectives."
An EPC is a sophisticated business software application that aids parts
and service personnel in a dealership to determine the correct replacement
parts for a vehicle, from the hundreds of thousands of parts in stock. The
Microcat parts selling system, operates both from traditional DVD-ROMs and via
the Internet. Its speed of operation, smooth integration with order entry
systems, broad choice of features and easy to use graphical interface, make it
very popular with users and OEMs.
The "raw material" for making the Microcat system is parts and vehicle
data. This data license is a right to use that data to create versions of
Microcat for use by the OEM's distributors and dealers. The data license
granted by Hyundai Mobis to Infomedia is for a period of five years. With the
exception of Korea and the USA, which are non-exclusive territories, this is
an exclusive license for EPC worldwide.
"We are very pleased to confirm this global agreement with Infomedia. The
Microcat EPC is in our opinion the world's best EPC. Its multilingual ability
makes it easy for all our dealers to use," said Mr. Y H Lee, Deputy General
Manager Export Parts, Hyundai Mobis. "It is also very important to Hyundai
Mobis that the EPC can operate via the Internet. We know Microcat can operate
this way and look forward to our dealers having this option too," Mr. Lee
stated.
Hyundai dealers in Europe are expected to start using the system in July,
followed by the rest of the world. Mr. Graham explained, "We are looking
forward to bringing the productivity and profitability benefits of Microcat to
more than 5,500 Hyundai dealers around the world. Hyundai dealers in
Australia started using Microcat in April 2000. It only took two months for
all the Australian dealers to put it to good use in their dealerships."
Infomedia expects to meet its target of being the number one automotive
EPC supplier by the end of 2001, both in terms of quality and quantity.
"Infomedia presently has nearly 30,000 EPC installations worldwide. The
release of Microcat to Hyundai dealers, and the expected explosion of new
installations as our Internet versions come into full swing later this year,
will propel us into the number one position globally in terms of quantity.
For a decade, our users have considered Microcat already number one in terms
of quality and innovation," stated Graham.