CarParts Technologies Drives Adoption of XML and Web Services Architectures for the Automotive Aftermarket.

Business Editors & Automotive/High-Tech Writers

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 29, 2002

CarParts Technologies Adopts OAGIS As Part of Its Strategy To Lead

E-commerce in the Automotive Aftermarket

CarParts Technologies Inc. (CPT), the leading provider of open, e-commerce software solutions for the automotive aftermarket, today announced its plans to drive the automotive aftermarket supply chain to adopt Extensible Markup Language (XML) as a standard for connectivity.

The company's ultimate goal is to enable customers within aftermarket trading networks to easily and affordably pass information up and down the supply chain.

Unlike other standards, XML enables the integration of systems and the exchange of data across multiple applications. XML will also allow other technologies to be implemented moving forward, including Web services. CarParts Technologies, as a corporation, has adopted the XML standard and integrated it into its entire product portfolio.

"XML is rapidly maturing as the de facto standard for exchanging information," said Paul Van Den Berg, vice president of product management and marketing for CarParts Technologies. "This is because XML facilitates high-speed and low-cost messaging between different companies."

According to a recent survey conducted by Wall Street & Technology and ILOG, the primary reason that companies are adopting XML is to support their systems-integration strategies. The survey also indicated that XML provides the best solution for economically integrating these existing systems and enabling integrated business services to be delivered via the Web.

CarParts Technologies recently joined the Open Applications Group, Inc. (OAGI), an organization that developed the Open Applications Group Interoperability Specification (OAGIS), which is a collection of business collaborations and XML messages in the form of OAGIS Business Object Documents that enable software applications to exchange data in a standardized structure.

The Aftermarket Council on Electronic Commerce (ACEC) has recently voted to support the software interconnectivity standards of the Open Applications Group. This action is expected to pave the way for broader integration between applications used throughout the automotive supply chain. The unanimous ACEC vote of support for OAGIS signifies a strong basis in the aftermarket for the development of XML messages.

"CarParts Technologies has taken an early leadership role by adopting the OAGIS standards for the use of XML in driving open connectivity in the automotive aftermarket. The adoption of these standards will not only benefit CarParts Technologies' customers, but also their customer's suppliers and customers," said David Connelly, president & CEO of the Open Applications Group.

CarParts Technologies has received commitments from its partners to support XML as the standard common platform in the automotive aftermarket industry. CarParts Technologies has identified more than 50 technology vendors in the automotive aftermarket that aren't using XML as a common language.

CarParts Technologies wants to be the leader in driving these companies to adopt XML as an industry standard. For instance, Autologue Computer Systems Inc. is a provider of open jobber systems that will now utilize XML to communicate with the CarParts Technologies OpenWebs Commerce Server XML connection.

"Autologue will support the OpenWebs Commerce Server XML gateway for our Autologue Jobber and AIS Jobber products," said Jim Franco, president of Autologue Computer Systems.

"Our OpenWebs Commerce Server XML connectivity will support numerous business transactions such as delivery receipts, spot orders, rebates and warranties that can all be delivered in XML packets," said Van Den Berg. "These are key business automation features that will allow our customers to easily and affordably pass information up and down the supply chain."

About CarParts Technologies Inc.

CarParts Technologies is the leading provider of extended supply chain software solutions for the automotive aftermarket. The CarParts Technologies e-commerce platform enables efficient online trade, integration and collaboration between B2B marketplaces, buyers, suppliers and commerce service providers.

The solutions are used by more than 3,000 leading aftermarket businesses including Tier 1 manufacturers, rebuilders, warehouse distributors, jobbers, service chains and independent installers. CarParts Technologies' open, end-to-end solutions allow companies to generate new sales, operate more cost-efficiently, accelerate inventory turns and maintain stronger relationships with suppliers and trading partners.

Established in 1997, CarParts Technologies' complete suite of business solutions has delivered compelling returns on investment to customers across the entire aftermarket supply chain. With headquarters in San Juan Capistrano, CarParts Technologies has received venture capital funding from, BEV Capital, Rho Management, @Ventures, the affiliated venture capital arm of CMGI, St. Paul Venture Capital, Investor AB Group and Ravenswood Capital Corp.

For more information, press and analysts only: Shari Gold, Gold PR, 949/764-9488 or 714/290-3322 -- mobile, [e-mail].

Note to Editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on CarParts Technologies, visit the Web site at http://www.carpartstechnologies.com.