STAR NEWSLETTER - December 2020

As we come to the end of calendar year 2020, I can report that STAR continued to make good progress in its efforts towards enhanced communications, new membership, sub-committee development projects and steps towards modernization of STAR standards. In spite of covid-19, STAR achieved membership momentum which we expect to carry into 2021.

New STAR Members: we are pleased to announce that AON’s Cyber Security group has joined STAR! Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions. AON is the sixth new member to join STAR during the August – December timeframe. We look forward to working with AON and our other new STAR team members as we shape new standards for automotive computing.

The six new STAR members for 2020 are:

• Tekion (joined August 1st)
• Cloudera (joined September 1st)
• Wipro (joined September 1st)
• Dealer360 (joined October 1st)
• Market Scan (joined October 1st)
• AON Cyber Security (joined December 1st)

STAR Dealer Advisory Group: to establish closer coordination with automotive retail dealers and based on the rapidly changing automotive computing environment, STAR has initiated formation of a Dealer Advisory Group sub-committee to the STAR Steering Committee. We expect this sub-committee will assist STAR in prioritizing development efforts as STAR embarks on updated standards employing REST APIs.

STAR Showcase: we initiated a “STAR Showcase” online webinar series in mid-2020. These webinars are open to STAR members and member candidates. Our second showcase was held on October 29th to provide an overview of REST API development in three key areas including Online Service Appointment, Online Vehicle Sales, and kick-off of a Parts Pricing and Availability API. We are planning a third showcase meeting in late January, we expect details to be announced next week.

2021 STAR GENERAL SESSIONS MEETING: we are finalizing plans to host the 2021 STAR General Sessions Meeting in a virtual format on Monday, February 8th. This meeting date was shifted to dovetail with the 2021 NADA Show, which will also be conducted using a virtual format during Tuesday, February 9th to Thursday, February 11th. Details for the STAR General Session will be provided in early January. Details for the 2021 NADA Show are available at https://show.nada.org

We expect more announcements over the coming weeks so please check back on this site or on LinkedIn.

Thank you,

Rafael Maldonado
VP and CIO, National Auto Dealers Association
STAR Steering Committee Chairman

STAR NEWSLETTER

November 2018

The members of the Steering Committee thought it would be timely to send out a brief newsletter and bring all our members up-to-date on activities and the progression of multiple projects undertaken by our members since our General Meeting on March 21, 2018.

Message from our New Chairman:

I'm honored to be the new Chair of the Steering Committee and look forward to meeting old and new friends again in San Francisco this coming January.  

2018 marks the 17th year since STARs inception and it’s come a long way.  Particularly in light of the fact it operates as a volunteer based organization!!

This newsletter will give you a quick update on important work being done in the Work Groups during 2018.  If you're interested, even just a little, please consider participating.  No contribution is too small. 

Like all organizations, the old adage, "grow or die" is just as true at STAR as anywhere else.  I’d like to challenge everyone to take a moment and reflect on how well STAR is helping you meet your business objectives.  And if not why not?  Bring your ideas to San Francisco and come join us on January 23, 2019.  Get involved and help ensure STAR continues to maintain its relevance as our industry faces the largest transformation in its history!

Best wishes to you and your families for a Happy Holiday Season.  

Kim Campassi

Steering Committee Members:

We appreciate your input and would ask that feel free to reach out to any of our Steering Committee Members with your ideas and/or recommendations. 

            Kim Campassi            Motive Retail            This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

            Kiran Dandupati          Ford                         This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

            Todd Peterson             General Motors        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

            Tom Henry                  Nissan                       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

            Anders Puwanant        Volvo                        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

            Rafael Maldonado        NADA                      This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

            Steve Zadoorian          AutoMate                  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

            Moe Sonier                 PBS Systems             This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

            Marvin Kay                 Nuspire Networks       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Membership Growth:

We’ve had two new members join STAR since our General Meeting in March:

• ION DMS POC is Himanshu Patel  -  Business System Providers 

ION DMS has been designed and engineered around the needs of the end user, to streamline the workflow of an auto dealership, improve the performance and reduce the chances of errors, resulting in happy, satisfied customers.  ION DMS’s automation system helps dealers cut their labor costs by 1/4, cut down-time spent on manual work and increase productivity for their business. In short, ION has made tough cumbersome jobs easier by automating tedious drawn out processes, so the client can focus on essential tasks rather than manual, time consuming work!

• ITsGURU POC is Himanshu Patel  -  Information Technology Vendors

ITsGuru is a managed IT and Cloud Storage service provider with 12+ years of experience serving the auto industry. ITsGuru works only within the auto industry, and is able to deliver customized solutions tailored specifically to the auto industry to maximize business efficiency and increase productivity. ITsGuru offers services such as: desktop support, network security & monitoring, server management, hosting, compliance, data backup, disaster recovery.  ITsGuru's managed services help businesses focus on running their day-to-day activity, rather than their IT department.

2018 Activities Updates/Status:

• JSON/REST

This Group will begin work on the data layer (JSON) in parallel with the BOD refactoring activities. Work on the API Security Recommendations draft document has been completed.

The lead for this group is Eban Thomas from GM who is working with representatives from Volvo, GM, Nissan, NADA, Motive Retail, Ion DMS, Automate, PBS Systems, CDK and Paco Escobar. We would like to invite you and your organization to join and participate in this work group.

• BOD Architecture Refactoring Work Group

This project is a significant undertaking by the work group and they are asking the POC’s to vote on whether they agree to have a new standard base which is not backward compatible. 

Paco Escobar sent out an email on November 20^thto all POC’s and he has requested that you review the information provided and complete your ballot and submit your vote prior to December 7, 2018.  

The lead for this group is Anders Puwanant from Volvo who is working with participants from GM, Volvo, Nissan, Motive Retail, AutoMate, CDK, ION DMS and Paco Escobar.

• DIG and Security Document Work Group

Currently working to combine the DIG and DSG and consolidate the documents. The group has been broken out into three Teams:

                      - Dealer Outreach

                       - Education Plan

                       - Lon-term Roadmap 

     The current plan is to have a new combined DIG available for our STAR General Meeting in January. Bulk 308 Win Ammo For Sale Online at AmmoCave.com! Best .308 Ammo For Serious Target Shooting. Best .308 Ammo For Plinking. Parting Shots. Shop for best 308 ammo at AmmoCave.com - Best .308 Ammo for Hunting, Plinking & Target Practice. Buy cheap 308 and 7.62x51mm ammunition in bulk. Check out our great selection of discount 308 rounds! Cheap 308 Ammo For Sale Online. Find top-quality 308 Winchester ammo in bulk at AmmoCave.com. We offer bulk 308 ammo in a variety of bullet types, from full metal jacket to soft points and hollow points. Plus, we have great low prices, so you’re sure to find the rounds you ne

The lead for this group is Dan Hoban from Nuspire who is working with participants from NADA, Volvo, Nissan and GM and Paco Escobar.

2019 STAR GENERAL MEETING

We look forward to your active participation in our next General Meeting. Paco Escobar has sent out the invite along with meeting coordinates. The meeting agenda will be available soon.

We look forward to your active participation in our next General Meeting. Paco Escobar has sent out the invite along with meeting coordinates. The meeting agenda will be available soon.

            http://www.starstandard.org/index.php/meeting-events

            STAR GENERAL MEETING

            Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 

            Time: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM PT

            Location: San Francisco Moscone Convention Center 

            Address:  747 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 

            Room 152-154

Please ensure you RSVP and advise Paco Escobar if you will require additional seats. We ask that you provide him with the name, and email addresses of the individuals from your organization who will be attending the meeting.