GA eXpress (Formerly Known as General Automation) Answers The Auto Industry's Demands for B2B Solutions
25 October 2000
GA eXpress (Formerly Known as General Automation) Answers The Auto Industry's Demands for B2B Solutions
Manufacturers and Suppliers Take Advantage of Real-Time Access to Legacy Data
IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 25 GA eXpress(TM)
(OTC Bulletin Board: GAUM), formerly known as General Automation and a leading
provider of data access and connectivity solutions, announced today that it
has formed an Automotive Division dedicated to providing the growing
automotive industry with the technology necessary to make legacy data systems
Internet-enabled. Establishing this division is another step in the evolution
of the company's ePath(TM) strategy of providing business-to-business markets
with the standards-based foundation for building e-business systems.
The automotive industry accounts for 20 percent of the gross national
product, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. GA eXpress
has been actively involved in providing the automotive market with technology
solutions for more than 30 years. Due to the persistent growth of this
market, the company has officially formed a division that will provide the
solutions necessary for the automotive industry to participate in
business-to-business and business-to-commerce markets.
Automotive Market Utilizes GA eXpress' Technology
GA eXpress has partnered with The Reynolds and Reynolds Company
, a leading information systems provider, to develop a
comprehensive e-business network for large automotive manufacturers. Reynolds
and Reynolds utilizes GA eXpress' ePath of products as part of the company's
ERA 2 retail management software solutions. These products allow automotive
manufacturers and their dealers to seamlessly exchange information in
real-time.
"GA eXpress' products are a critical part of our software, allowing us to
build comprehensive e-business solutions for our customers," said John Brill,
project leader for Reynolds and Reynolds Performance Path. "We look forward
to continuing our relationship of providing the auto industry with the tools
necessary to compete in the emerging B2B market."
GA eXpress has also provided solutions for numerous other companies in the
automotive industry, including ADP (a business systems provider for the auto
market), CJ Management (trucking and courier firm), GlassPac (retail auto
glass repair recently acquired by GTS Services, LLC a wholly owned and
independently operated company by PPG Industries, an $8 billion publicly
traded company), Relco (the largest warehouse distributor East of the
Mississippi of electronic auto parts), and RMP Parts (wholesale auto parts
distributor) to name a few.
B2B Solutions Utilized for Complex Supply Chain Management
There are multiple pieces of the automotive market supply chain that can
benefit from GA eXpress' B2B or B2C solutions, including the manufacturers,
dealers and suppliers. Within these main sources there are parts suppliers
(name brand, after market, customized), service centers (dealerships, gas
stations, finance resources), and distribution centers (dealerships, Web
sites). GA eXpress' technology allows all of these sources to communicate in
real-time, providing accurate and timely access to critical information.
Currently, each manufacturer has a requirement for how dealerships must
correspond with them through a Dealer Communication System (DCS). Each DCS
can have a different operational/management system that does not "talk" to
others, making information inaccurate and slow to be received. GA eXpress
allows these systems to communicate so that information is shared quickly and
easily. Additionally, updates are performed simultaneously providing
continuity of information.
"We are continuing our strategy of allowing access to any data at any time
by providing the auto industry with the technology necessary to protect their
critical data, while becoming Internet-enabled," said Jane M. Christie,
chairman, president and CEO, GA eXpress. "Eighty to 85 percent of the U.S.
automobile dealers use MultiValue/legacy data systems. GA eXpress' systems
allow businesses to access any system via the Internet to order parts faster,
know when parts are back ordered, provide customers with accurate cost
estimates, and many other functions in real-time. This creates a more
efficient organization, saving valuable time and money that can be passed
along to the customer."
Key Personnel Drive Company's ePath Strategy
The GA eXpress Automotive Division has teamed with automotive industry
veteran Jerry Reich to develop the business-to-business solutions best suited
for this specific industry.
Leading the team is Larry Christensen, vice president of the Automotive
Division, for GA eXpress. Christensen has worked for GA eXpress for 10 years
in several management roles and has more than 26 years of technology
experience in the software, hardware and services industries.
Another key member of the team is consultant Jerry Reich. Reich offers
more than 24 years experience in the automotive industry, working at the
executive level of companies such as Audi, AutoNation USA, Chrysler, Porsche,
Toyota, and Volkswagen. As a consultant, Reich has lent his expertise to many
automotive and technology companies, including AutoWorld.com, BMW,
Greenlight.com and IBM.
A new addition to the GA eXpress team is Nick Panas, senior industry
consultant. Panas acts as a professional services provider and a sales
engineer, offering both concept and hands-on product development talent.
Panas brings to the company more than 12 years automotive industry experience
in designing and implementing technical solutions.
The ePath to Comprehensive, Flexible, Easy-to-Implement E-Business
GA eXpress offers a wide range of products that can be customized to meet
a manufacturer, dealer or supplier's needs. eTools OLE DB is part of GA
eXpress' suite of products enabling businesses to utilize their existing data
to develop comprehensive e-business systems. Other eTools development kits
encompass eTools XML, eTools JDBC (Java) and eTools ODBC. The new family of
products also includes eDesigner(TM) for the ODBC and OLE DB products.
eDesigner is an easy-to-use Windows(R)-based tool for mapping, directing and
administrating the data and data paths that are to be utilized by the client
system.
More on GA eXpress (http://www.gaexpress.com)
GA eXpress (formerly known as General Automation)
(OTC Bulletin Board: GAUM) is the single source for data access and
connectivity tools and services that allow companies to utilize critical
business information in order to conduct business with their partners, vendors
and customers online. GA eXpress corporate headquarters is located at
17731 Mitchell North, Irvine Calif., 92614. Telephone: 800.854.0140 or
949.250.4800 and fax: 949.752.6772.
"This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933. Those forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties that could affect GAI/GA eXpress(TM) actual results and cause
actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
timely completion of the development of proposed new products, market
acceptance of proposed new products, actions taken by competitors and
creditors, and other factors described in General Automation's reports and
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission."
General Automation is a registered trademark. GA eXpress, ePath, eTools
and eDesigner are trademarks of General Automation. All other trademarks and
registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.