STAR Releases its 2012 XML/ DTS Repository and Transport Guidelines

MCLEAN, VA--May 16, 2012: Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR), the global information technology (IT) standards body for retail automotive and related industries, has released a new major version of its transport specifications.

The STAR 2012 XML and DTS repository continues to be actively modified and developed by the membership.

Enhancements to Business Object Documents (BOD) were made in the areas of Service, Parts, Warranty, Vehicle Management, and Financial business transactions. Additionally, three new BODs were implemented: a VehicleInitiativePayment Invoice BOD to allow the OEM to provide variable marketing rebate payment data to the DMS, a VehicleDataAvailability BOD to improve the exchange of vehicle data between the OEM and the DMS, and a FinancialMetrics BOD to enhance the collection of financial data that is currently communicated by the FinancialStatement BOD.

The most relevant modifications were made to the ServiceProcessingAdvisory, VehicleServiceHistory, and PartsInventory BOD. ServiceProcessingAdvisory can now communicate the status of a claim being processed. VehicleServiceHistory was enhanced to provide more information regarding service campaigns. Finally, PartsInventory was improved to allow for the tracking of parts sales at a more detailed level.

The STAR Transport Specification and Guidelines documents were extended with the inclusion of a new technology sheet.

• The Web Services Policy Technology Sheet provides recommendations on implementing the WS-Policy standards with the STAR Web Services.

About STAR
The Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR) organization is the information technology (IT) standards organization for retail automotive and related industries. 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, retail system providers, and IT vendors to communicate. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, STAR is a not-for-profit volunteer organization and its members include dealers, manufacturers, retail system providers, and IT vendors. As members, these companies 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.

For more information about STAR and a list of current members please visit Star Standard.