STAR 2007 Draft 2 Release Illustrates STAR's Rapid Response to Member Change Requests

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 2, 2006 -- Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR), a global Information Technology (IT) standards body for the retail automotive industry, published Draft 2 on September 29, 2006. The September 29th release is a draft release, allowing STAR members to quickly take advantage of recent changes requested.

The release further illustrates STAR's commitment to responding rapidly to member requests. The average turnaround time for each request included in the release was two weeks, including membership approval. This responsiveness is made possible by STAR's agile development methodology, active member participation and commitment of STAR's development team to meet its member's needs.

The release includes changes to a number of STAR XML specifications requested by its members. STAR added a new Process Subscription Service BOD based on the new OAGIS 9.0 format. Also, several changes were made to STAR's DTS specifications in response to requests from members. The STAR DTS modifications include international requirements requested by STAR members from the Asia-Pacific region.

"STAR is committed to responding quickly to the needs of its members. This enables STAR members to quickly develop innovative integrations," said Bill Fitzpatrick, STAR SIG Chairman.

About STAR (www.starstandard.org)

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, Karmak, National Marine Manufacturers Association, 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, Wipro Technologies, 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, Mazda North American Operations, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc., Porsche Cars North America, Inc., Renault, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, and Volkswagen North America.