Chrome Systems Corp., provider of automotive data, configuration and comparison technology and commerce solutions, on Jan. 28 announced the introduction of a new service designed to enable application developers to integrate nearly 20 years of Chrome's experience in automotive information and technology into the programs they develop. This new service allows clients to create their own interfaces to the Chrome Knowledge Platform(TM), enabling them to request and receive specific vehicle data from one of three Chrome services: Description, Configuration or Comparison.

By using standard Web Services technology, clients developing applications can quickly become automotive experts, without having to stray from their own development environments, according to Chrome. Because the data is hosted and maintained by Chrome, clients no longer need to distribute data updates, manage a hosting environment or invest in massive computing power.

"By conforming to Web Service standards, Chrome's industry experience becomes immediately available to nearly all development environments," said Sean Peoples, Chrome's director of product management. "From a PDA with a cellular connection, to a mainframe behind 15 firewalls, as long as the end unit has a connection to the Internet, the full breath and depth of Chrome's data becomes immediately accessible. Microsoft, Java, or even legacy CICS/IMS based systems can now easily integrate Chrome's vehicle content."

Chrome's "Automotive Description Service" is the first service deployed on the Chrome Knowledge Platform. This service gives clients complete and accurate vehicle descriptions, based on either a VIN or a user specified vehicle. Vehicle descriptions include all available colors, options, and standards, basically everything that was installed on a vehicle when it left the plant as well as what could be on it today.

"Chrome has been the industry leader in data accuracy and timeliness, driving many of the largest professional configuration systems in the U.S.," said David Mingle, Chrome's president. "Now we are making this same data available to everyone. Developers can add one of our services to their systems and offer specific vehicle information to their customers."

Access to the knowledge platform is open to any business that wants to utilize Chrome's extensive vehicle information. A company specializing in vehicle insurance, for example, could add Vehicle Identification and Description functions to their own applications that, when invoked, would retrieve a complete vehicle description from Chrome, down to the number of cup holders.

For two years in a row Chrome's vehicle data was determined to be the most accurate on the Internet, according to an independent study by CNW Marketing/Research of Bandon, Ore.

The Chrome Knowledge Platform and the Automotive Description Service will be shown at the 2004 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas, Jan. 31-February 3, and will be available during the first quarter of 2004, according to Chrome. Availability of the Comparison and Configuration services will follow, Chrome said.

About Chrome

With more than 13,500 clients, including half of all automotive dealers in the U.S. and Canada, Chrome provides vehicle content, software, technology and services to deliver enterprise solutions to all segments of the retail automotive industry. These segments include manufacturers, fleet companies, dealers, Internet sites, and financial institutions.

Chrome pioneered the technology behind electronic vehicle configuration with the introduction of PC Carbook(R), and since 1986 has collected, analyzed and enhanced "raw" automotive data from all manufacturers.