Innovative Programming Systems Joins STAR

MCLEAN, VA and Flint, MI April 28, 2008 – STAR (Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail), a global Information Technology (IT) standards body for the retail automotive industry, have announced that Innovative Programming Systems, Inc (IPS) has recently joined STAR. STAR, a non-profit entity, is leading an auto and truck industry-wide initiative to implement voluntary IT standards supporting the business information needs and the Internet links needed by dealers, manufacturers, and retail system providers to communicate effectively. STAR’s initiatives provide the opportunity to improve the daily business activities of dealers, retail systems providers (RSP), and manufacturers, which leads to higher customer satisfaction, timely, access to business information, and reduced operating costs. Membership in STAR will help IPS drive standards for its parts and vehicles inventory control software applications, thus reducing development and deployment time. IPS has been providing turnkey, enterprise-wide software tools designed specifically for the automotive industry for more than 15 years. IPS utilizes the most advanced wireless barcode scanners, helping dealers keep track of parts and vehicles. IPS works with OEM’s to intergrate electronic shipping documents, financial statements, warranty claims, and electronic order statuses. By tighter intergaration with the OEM, IPS is able to provide real-time inventory control for dealers. Participating in STAR will further IPS’s goal of providing quality technology solutions that reduce complexity and cost, while improving accuracy and efficiency of dealership operations. “We’re excited about IPS joining STAR and sharing their knowledge within the industry body”, says Eric Purdum, STAR Chair. About STAR (www.starstandard.org) Source: STAR The Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR) organization is the Information Technology (IT) standards organization for the retail automotive industry. STAR is leading the effort to implement voluntary IT standards throughout the automotive industry. These standards are designed to support business information needs and provide secure and reliable means for dealers, manufacturers, and retail system providers to communicate. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, STAR is a not-for-profit volunteer organization and its members include Dealers, Manufacturers and Retail System Providers (RSPs). As members, they are interested in developing, promoting, and administering voluntary IT standards in the retail automotive industry and improving the effectiveness, timeliness and competitiveness of the IT solutions needed within the retail automotive industry. STAR membership roster: Dealer Groups: NADA Retail System Providers: ADP, Advent Resources, Inc., AIAG, AFSA, Arkona, AutoDESA, Auto/Mate Inc., CIECA, DealerTrack, gedas, Company, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Motorcycle Industry Council, NeoSynergy, LLC, OAGI, Oxlo, PBS Financial Systems Inc., Procede Software, Quorum Information Systems, Reynolds & Reynolds, RouteOne, Sun Microsystems, Unipart Automotive Logistics, Wipro Technologies, and 5Square Systems Corporation. Manufacturers: American Honda Motor Co., Inc., American Suzuki Motor Corp., BMW of North America, Inc., DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corp., Hyundai Motor America, Jaguar Cars, Mazda North American Operations, Nissan North America, Inc., Porsche Cars North America, Inc., Renault, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, and Volkswagen North America.