ASC X12 & CIECA Collaborate, Begin Work on Subrogation Vendor Assignment Project.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. & NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) and the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 announced the beginning of a joint effort to collaborate on the development of standards used in the collision electronic commerce environment. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines cooperation on joint projects and exchange standards documentation pertaining to the various project activities, and was executed on August 25, 2006.

The first collaboration effort between ASC X12 and CIECA will be to produce Subrogation Vendor Assignment and Response messages. Members from both organizations will participate together in a variety of tasks to produce and publish the new standards. Other interested groups, standards developing organizations (SDO) and industry stakeholders are encouraged to join this initiative.

Lenel James, Chairperson of X12's Collaboration and Outreach Task Group (COTG) supported the work effort to develop the MOU, said, "This agreement recognizes the value of common interests, sharing valuable resources, and the capacity for win/win scenarios to work and be the basis for effective joint collaboration activities between standards development organizations."

Subrogation messages for both organizations are a high priority as the resulting products will have applications and uses across multiple industries.

This collaborative effort is one of several for CIECA that have been initiated based on its Strategic Plan initiatives: "To be proactive with other standards setting organizations," and "To explore setting standards for other types of claims."

"CIECA is always searching for innovative ways to develop standards that are more robust, in the shortest timeframe and with the widest implementation acceptance," said Fred Iantorno, CIECA's Executive Director. "Working together with X12, CIECA believes this will occur immediately on the Subrogation project."

"To be the recognized cross-industry forum to build and support electronic data exchange standards" is the vision established by the ASC X12 Strategic Plan. "X12 is excited to begin working with CIECA," said ASC X12 Chair Dan Kazzaz. "This first project will allow the two groups to combine their best of breed approaches to B2B application message development. We hope this effort starts a new trend where message development organizations work closely together."

About ASC X12: The Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12, founded in 1979 and accredited by the American National Standards Institute, develops cross-industry electronic data exchange standards that interact with a multitude of e-business technologies and serve as premier tools for integrating electronic applications. With more than 2,500 individuals representing 360+ corporate members, ASC X12 facilitates the effective exchange of electronic information through standards-setting and active participation in emerging and technically relevant initiatives. To learn more about ASC X12, visit www.X12.org or call 703-970-4480.

About CIECA: CIECA (Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association) develops collision industry Information Technology standards and provides implementation guides for electronic commerce. CIECA is composed of members of the automobile collision repair industry; repairers, insurers, vehicle manufacturers, parts and material suppliers, information and software providers, general service providers and related segments and industries. CIECA's goals are to deliver benefits to all participants through reduced development and support costs, lower cost of implementation, reduced barrier to entry and faster development times. To learn more about CIECA, visit www.cieca.com or call 847-498-6945.