From a press release issued by the Motorcycle Industry Council:

Motorcycle Industry Council Forms Technology Advisory Committee (TAC)

Initial Focus on Powersports Standard Protocols (PSP)

IRVINE, Calif. – The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) has formed a Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) to counsel the MIC Board of Directors on technology issues relevant to the powersports industry. Roger Peterson, Vice President of Information Systems at Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., has been appointed as committee chairman. More than two dozen industry representatives attended the first TAC meeting, held June 16, 2004.

The Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) will be focused initially on furthering the development and early adoption of a Powersports Standard Protocol (PSP). This project, developed under the working name ‘PowerNet,’ will enable real-time communication between dealers and OEs/distributors, and other product and service vendors, via the dealers’ Dealership Management Systems. PSP is a landmark industry effort to provide dealers with a single, standardized technology solution for most of their day-to-day business transactions. It is based on, and will remain aligned with, STAR (Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail) guidelines, the standard protocol used in the automotive industry.

A successful Proof of Concept and testing with additional OEMS, aftermarket distributors, and dealer management system providers in 2003 demonstrated the viability of real-time communications between dealers and OEs using the proposed PSP specifications. This year, with (TAC) guidance, the MIC will facilitate the implementation of PSP specifications for early adopters of the standard.

“The industry has shown a great deal of enthusiasm and support for this landmark technology initiative,” said MIC President Tim Buche. “It’s another example of the progress that can be made when a unified industry looks ahead and takes action.”

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, scooters, motorcycle parts and accessories, and members of allied trades, located in Irvine, Calif.