CODA Automotive Industry Consortium Formed to Promote Technology Interoperability.

Business Editors & Automotive/High-Tech Writers

NADA 2003

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2003

Cooperative for Open Dealer Applications (CODA) addresses retail auto

industry frustration over lack of technology integration

National Automobile Dealers Association Convention -- The Cooperative for Open Dealer Applications (CODA), an automotive industry consortium, today announces its formation with the mission of accelerating the adoption of open standards for inter-application communication among industry technology providers. Initiated by Ocentrix, Inc., a developer of Web-based software systems for managing dealership businesses, this announcement is made with the support of ProMax Online, Who's Calling, California Research Tabulations, Inc. and other industry participants (see quotes -- bottom of release).

CODA will unite technology providers, including software and services providers, dealers, OEMs and trade groups, to advance open standards in a market that has historically suffered from closed systems and a lack of vendor integration. This problem was highlighted in a watershed survey of automotive dealers conducted in 2001 by NADA (DSP Satisfaction Survey), which cited system integration as "the top driver in dealer satisfaction."

"Current proprietary dealer management systems are inadequate to meet the future needs of the U.S. auto industry's multi-franchise retail culture," said Thilo Koslowski, lead automotive analyst for Gartner/G2. "New collaborative information and communications systems are needed to connect all parties of the automotive value-chain and enhance the consumer's experience."

As the NADA survey revealed, in the area of integration, software vendors have been doing a poor job of meeting dealer needs. Low average satisfaction ratings in key areas of integration reveal the depth and breadth of this problem: system flexibility (61%), customizability (56%), Microsoft Office integration (41%), and Internet integration (37%).

"Open systems will make it easier for dealers to access fundamental business information, such as vehicle and parts inventory data, sales process analysis and dealership-wide accounting and financial reporting," said Jim Roche, CEO of Ocentrix. "This information is essential to understanding the dealer's competitive advantage, eliminating redundant services and streamlining marketing processes."

CODA will function as an independent organization. Software vendor members must agree to publish an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows any other CODA member to exchange data with their application, should they choose to do so. A technical committee will establish guidelines for how applications exchange data. This group also intends to leverage existing and newly proposed standards for data exchange, including the STAR organization's proposed XML schema, and the W3C/OASIS SOAP standard.

For more information on CODA, contact Mark Fiebig, SVP of Corporate Development at Ocentrix, at 206/625-9393 x3018 ([e-mail]) and visit the company's website at www.ocentrix.com/coda.html.

Additional Quotes

"EDS is an active participant in the effort to establish automotive
retail industry standards. We support the principles of CODA. Open
systems are needed to integrate business functions and streamline
operations for auto dealers."

        Mark Allen, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development
        EDS Automotive Retail Group


"Open standards are simply good business; they serve customer needs
and make life easier for technology providers. We fully support the
objectives of CODA and look forward to participating in the process of
creating truly integrated dealer solutions."

        Fred Wright, President and COO
        Who's Calling


"Data access is critical to our business success so we are
enthusiastic supporters of the concepts put forth by CODA. It
exemplifies a solid path to an improved business environment in the
retail auto sector. Because today's dealerships and OEM's are
constrained from proactive management by an inability to use their own
business information, we applaud this initiative and fully agree that
it will yield positive benefits for the automotive industry."

        David Boyle, Vice President of Sales
        California Research Tabulations, Inc.


"ProMax Online's integration with Ocentrix immediately demonstrates
the value of interoperability amongst software vendors. CODA
represents an environment to facilitate these kinds of relationships,
ultimately benefiting the dealership personnel by improving their
access to information."

        John Palmer, President and CEO
        ProMax Online


"In order for dealership personnel to proactively manage their
businesses, they need predictable access to consistent database
information. Easy integration supports this capability and CODA can
help to deliver it."

        Mark Boyd, Executive Vice President, Strategic Development
        Dealix Corporation


"CODA exemplifies the philosophy by which every forward-thinking
software company should operate. We at Dealerskins have always been
focused on bringing the best tools to our customers. We know what we
do well, and we know when we should rely on strategic partners to
maximize the value we bring to our customers. CODA will allow us to
accelerate the building of the kind of partnerships that have made us
a success."

        Gabriel Krajicek, President
        Dealerskins, Inc.


"CODA is a great first step towards Grid Computing -- enabling dealers
to see all information for a client in a grid form linked by common
fields. I think the only way that dealers will be able to control
their escalating technology costs is for providers to work together to
eliminate duplicate effort and share data between platforms. Someone
had to take the initiative and Ocentrix should be applauded for
stepping forth."

        Sandi Jerome, President
        Sandi Jerome Computer Consulting
        CRS -- Customer Retention Software