EDS Automotive Retail Group Joins CODA Automotive Industry Consortium; Leading Automotive Technology Provider Supports Initiative to Promote Open Standards

    SEATTLE--April 22, 2003--The Cooperative for Open Dealer Applications (CODA), an automotive industry consortium promoting open technology standards, today announced that the EDS Automotive Retail Group (ARG) has joined as a founding member.
    Previously announced members include Auto Town, the Paul Gillrie Institute, ProMax Online, Who's Calling, California Research Tabulations Inc., Dealerskins, Stronghold Technologies, MediaExpress and Ocentrix Inc.
    CODA unites auto industry technology providers, including software and services providers, dealers, OEMs and trade groups, to advance open standards for inter-application communication. Open systems will allow auto dealers to choose the software that best fits their needs, while ensuring that information can be shared between various dealer functions, such as sales, parts and service.
    "We support the principles of CODA and plan to be active participants in the organization's efforts to promote improved integration among technology vendors," said Mark Allen, vice president, strategy and business development, EDS ARG.
    The retail automotive market has historically suffered from closed systems and a lack of vendor integration. CODA represents enlightened technology providers that understand the importance of working together to exchange information and solve dealers' problems.
    Initiated by Ocentrix, a developer of Web-based software systems for managing dealership businesses, CODA functions as an independent organization. Software vendor members agree to publish an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows their applications to share data with other CODA members. CODA also leverages existing and newly proposed standards for data exchange, including the STAR organization's proposed XML schema, and the W3C/OASIS SOAP standard.
    "We are excited about working with EDS and the other CODA members to give dealers more flexibility and choice in applications for their business," said Jim Roche, CEO of Ocentrix. "Open systems are long overdue in this industry and will streamline dealership operations by providing the ability to track vehicles and customers throughout the sales and service process."
    For more information on CODA, contact Mark Fiebig, SVP of Corporate Development at Ocentrix, at 206/625-9393 x3018 (mark@ocentrix.com) and visit the company's Web site at www.ocentrix.com/coda.html.