| USA. Marine industry group targets Miami show for rollout of strategic plan |
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| Monday, 09 January 2006 | |
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NMMA news: As the marine industry prepares for increased public awareness and even greater sales in 2006, the technological ability to handle such growth is a key component to success for the New Year. To that end, the Marine Association for Technology Exchange Standards (MATES) has unveiled its formal strategic plan in conjunction with applications for initial membership. To invite all newcomers, an open meeting for the industry is scheduled for the Miami International Boat Show on Friday, February 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room A202 of the Miami Beach Convention Center. “The vision of the MATES initiative is to do more business by making it simpler to transact business,” says Thomas Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, which has just named MATES the association’s newest official affiliate. “The leaders of the MATES effort have worked incredibly hard to get the organization to this launching point, and if you exchange data in any form with any other business in the marine industry, you will want to be at the February meeting in Miami to learn more about this organization and its working plan for 2006.” NMMA and the MATES leadership team—comprised of a broad range of marine industry representatives—have worked during 2005 to solidify plans for membership and welcoming the industry as a whole to these efforts. In finalizing its strategic plan, MATES has moved toward its stated goal of “establish[ing] standardized business transaction communications for the marine industry.” MATES wants to ensure the industry works across spectrums to create a smoother, more efficient production, sales and service process. Ultimately, through MATES, the marine industry will be able to attain real-time updates regarding a manufacturer’s boat production, listings through dealer management systems, online inventory viewing, consumer quote requests, sales closings and warranty and service follow-up. This past year, the MATES team outlined a plan of attack and developed the resources to begin its mission in earnest. Following the path to success achieved by the automotive industry—including the Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR)—MATES has set forth the following three targeted objectives: Create an open, non-proprietary, standard XML message that is application independent Create a common marine industry communications standard to support these messages Reduce the cost of interface development. “MATES leadership is seeking broad participation in these standardization activities, and it has dedicated management and technical resources to creating XML exchange standards capable of benefiting every business in the marine industry,” says Dammrich. “This effort complements other NMMA efforts to improve the consumer boating experience, create mutual efficiencies in the boating supply chain and develop more timely information flow on what is happening at retail.” To maximize participation, MATES is offering three tiers of membership levels, each paid through annual dues. The resources contributed from members will go directly toward expediting the standardization efforts, so the MATES leadership team is asking marine industry leaders and supporters to give careful consideration to Level III membership (the highest tier), as a way of investing back into their own businesses. Level III membership includes board of directors and advisory council eligibility, access to all white papers and related work, founder/charter member status, use of a special MATES logo, web services and more. It is expected a MATES executive director, as well as Board of Directors, will be named before the Miami meeting in February. For complete details on all membership levels, to obtain a membership application or for further information on the February 17 meeting in Miami, please contact NMMA director of accessory division and affiliates bmcardle@nmma.org |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 09 January 2006 ) |
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