Chrome Announces New XML Data Format to Enable Industry-Wide Data Integration
PORTLAND, Ore.--May 23, 2001--Chrome Systems Corporation, provider of automotive data, configuration technology and commerce solutions, today announced AutoTransmission(TM), the first XML-based vehicle pricing and option order rules definition format to enable industry-wide data integration.
AutoTransmission is based on Extensible Markup Language (XML) schemes and industry standards and is distributed via Chrome's accurate and orderable vehicle data platform to allow manufacturers, fleet management companies, dealers, Internet retail sites and portals to streamline the management and transfer of vehicle pricing and option information. This new data format defines a way vehicle information and option order rules can be communicated throughout the automotive industry and allows seamless integration of all vehicle data with proprietary legacy systems, significantly reducing costs associated with in-house data normalization and management.
AutoTransmission supports current XML schema standards based on the World Wide Web Consortium and the Microsoft(R) BizTalk framework and easily integrates with enterprise legacy systems including vehicle ordering, financing, registration and leasing applications, as well as enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management applications. AutoTransmission delivers Chrome's current, accurate and orderable vehicle option and pricing information in a standard, open format, allowing companies to quickly and cost-effectively import vehicle information from all manufacturers into proprietary systems without requiring significant changes to legacy systems, thereby eliminating costly errors and communication barriers among business partners.
"There is a critical need for an open standard for defining and sharing vehicle information in the automotive industry," said Bob Navarre, CEO of Chrome Systems Corporation. "By combining proven technology with our automotive expertise, Chrome provides this standard and makes it possible to obtain accurate vehicle information from multiple manufacturers without having to update complex legacy systems every time the information changes. Our solution lowers costs, allows more transactions and ultimately creates a better customer experience."
AutoTransmission allows companies to standardize the way they create, store and distribute vehicle data; thereby reducing costs associated with erroneous and disparate data management systems. Many companies in the auto industry use different formats to record and communicate vehicle data and information within their organization and with business partners and customers, including the use of printed vehicle pricing and specification manuals. AutoTransmission can be used to replace current methods of inconsistent and inefficient data transfer and management, driving down cost and increasing profitability.
AutoTransmission and the vehicle data it delivers are both available immediately.
About Chrome
With more than 12,000 clients, including half of all automotive dealers in the U.S. and Canada, Chrome provides configuration technology, software and professional services to produce complete enterprise solutions for all segments of the retail automotive industry, including manufacturers, fleet companies, dealers and Internet sites. Chrome pioneered the technology behind electronic vehicle configuration and for the past 15 years has collected, analyzed and enhanced "raw" automotive data from manufacturers. Chrome provides the North American ordering system for General Motors and its 8,300 dealers. Chrome sets the standard in ordering systems for fleet management, serving 14 of the 17 largest fleet leasing companies. Chrome's automotive dealer clients accounted for more than half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2000. The company is based in Portland, Oregon. For more information, contact 1-800-936-8906 or www.chrome.com.
Copyright(c)2001, Chrome Systems Corporation. All rights reserved.