Karmak Joins STAR

MCLEAN, Va. and Carlinville, Ill. (July 16, 2007) — STAR (Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail), a global Information Technology (IT) standards body for the retail automotive industry, and heavy-duty truck software provider Karmak, Inc., have announced that Karmak 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 Karmak drive standards for its heavy-duty truck customers and reduce development and deployment time.

Karmak has been providing turnkey, enterprise-wide software tools designed specifically for the heavy-duty truck and trailer industry for more than 25 years. Its complete business management systems are designed to help dealers, distributors, and service facilities control unit sales, parts inventory, accounting, lease/rental, and service operations. Karmak has established partnerships with major OEMs and heavy-duty marketing groups to ensure seamless communications between dealers' Karmak business systems and their suppliers' systems. In many cases, Karmak has developed special software options that meet unique OEM requirements, including specialized financial statements, electronic parts ordering, electronic warranty claims, parts price updates, labor rate guides, and managed dealer inventory programs.

Participating in STAR will further Karmak's goal of providing quality technology solutions that reduce complexity and cost, while improving accuracy and efficiency of dealership operations.

"We're excited about Karmak joining STAR and sharing their knowledge within the industry body," says Eric Purdum, STAR Chair.

About STAR (www.starstandard.org)
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, Karmak, 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.

About Karmak (www.karmak.com)
Karmak, Inc., a leading provider of computer systems and business management systems in the heavy-duty truck industry, supplies software applications to fleets, retailers that sell and service trucks, tractors and trailers, as well as retail and wholesale businesses that distribute parts. In addition, Karmak provides continuing innovation and support to companies through software specialists working closely with customers in areas such as inventory control, service department management, accounting, and new and used truck sales. With over 25 years serving the heavy-duty industry, Karmak is headquartered in Carlinville, Illinois. Karmak currently serves more than 1,800 locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
 

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