The Cooperative for Open Dealer Applications

(CODA), an automotive industry consortium promoting open technology standards,

has announced that the EDS Automotive Retail Group (ARG) has joined

as a founding member. Previously announced members include Auto Town,

the Paul Gillrie Institute, ProMax Online, Who's Calling, California Research

Tabulations, Inc., Dealerskins, Stronghold Technologies, MediaExpress

and Ocentrix, Inc.

CODA unites auto industry technology providers, including software and

services providers, dealers, OEMs and trade groups, to advance open standards

for inter-application communication. Open systems will allow auto dealers

to choose the software that best fits their needs, while ensuring that

information can be shared between various dealer functions, such as sales,

parts and service.

"We support the principles of CODA and plan to be active participants

in the organization's efforts to promote improved integration among technology

vendors," said Mark Allen, vice president, strategy and business development,

EDS ARG.

The retail automotive market has historically suffered from closed systems

and a lack of vendor integration. CODA says it represents enlightened technology

providers that understand the importance of working together to exchange

information and solve dealers' problems.

Initiated by Ocentrix, a developer of Web-based software systems for managing

dealership businesses, CODA functions as an independent organization.

Software vendor members agree to publish an Application Programming Interface

(API) that allows their applications to share data with other CODA members.

CODA says it also leverages existing and newly proposed standards for data exchange,

including the STAR organization's proposed XML schema, and the W3C/OASIS

SOAP standard.

"We are excited about working with EDS and the other CODA members to give

dealers more flexibility and choice in applications for their business,"

said Jim Roche, CEO of Ocentrix. "Open systems are long overdue in this

industry and will streamline dealership operations by providing the ability

to track vehicles and customers throughout the sales and service process."

For more information on CODA, contact Mark Fiebig, SVP of Corporate Development

at Ocentrix, at 206-625-9393 x3018 (mark@ocentrix.com) and visit the

company's website at www.ocentrix.com/coda.html.