STAR Publishes Technology Update for Franchised Auto Dealers

MCLEAN, Va., July 21 -- Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR), a global Information Technology (IT) standards body for the retail automotive industry, has released a new version of their Dealership Infrastructure Guidelines (DIG). The publication describes the types of IT equipment and services needed for franchised auto dealers to conduct day-to-day business with auto manufacturers and other business partners.

The latest release of the DIG (version 2005 v2.0) includes new guidelines for dealers who use portable, wireless computers in their dealerships' showrooms or service areas. The document emphasizes the need to implement adequate security measures to protect the dealer's business information and computer equipment.

"Just as blueprints guide dealers when remodeling their dealerships, the DIG provides guidance as dealers add wireless computers and other IT equipment in their dealership," said dealer Tom Arden from Downs Ford in Toms River, New Jersey.

"Dealers want to use technology to improve their business. They need to understand the business aspects of computer technology, not the technical details. The DIG provides executive summaries for dealers and IT details for the dealers' technology vendors," said Eric Purdum STAR Standards Chair.

STAR's initiatives provide the opportunity to improve the daily business activities of dealers, retail systems providers, and manufacturers , which leads to higher customer satisfaction, timely, access to business information, and reduced operating costs.

  About STAR (www.starstandard.org)
  Source: STAR

The Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR) organization is the Information Technology (IT) standards organization for the retail automotive industry. STAR is leading the effort to implement voluntary IT standards throughout the automotive industry. These standards are designed to support business information needs and provide secure and reliable means for dealers, manufacturers, and retail system providers to communicate. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, STAR is a not-for-profit volunteer organization and its members include Dealers, Manufacturers and Retail System Providers (RSPs). As members, they are interested in developing, promoting, and administering voluntary IT standards in the retail automotive industry and improving the effectiveness, timeliness and competitiveness of the IT solutions needed within the retail automotive industry.

  STAR membership roster:
  Dealer Groups: CCAQ, NADA

Retail System Providers: ADP, Advent Resources, Inc., AIAG, AFSA, Arkona, Autodata Solutions, AutoDESA, Auto/Mate Inc., Chrome Systems, CIECA, Cyclone Commerce, DealerTrack, gedas, GEFEG, Motorcycle Industry Council, NeoSynergy, LLC, OAGI, Oxlo, PBS Financial Systems Inc., Procede Software, Quorum Information Systems, Reynolds & Reynolds, RouteOne, Sprint, Sun, Tibco, Unipart Automotive Logistics, UCS, and 5Square Systems Corporation.

Manufacturers: American Honda Motor Co., Inc., American Suzuki Motor Corp., BMW of North America, Inc., DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corp., Hyundai Motor America, Jaguar Cars, Kia Motors America, Land Rover, Mazda North American Operations, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc., Nissan North America, Inc., Porsche Cars North America, Inc., Renault, Saab Cars USA, Subaru, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, and Volkswagen North America.