We are seeing significant changes to longstanding, common, proven data access approaches. In some instances, we are seeing alternatives developed and offered; in others, we wait for more information and substitute approaches.
Data security is paramount today, and some changes are necessary to ensure the ongoing safety of data and data movement.
Longer-term, additional inhibitions could limit competition and creative solutions. And, they may require dealerships and third parties to reinstitute manual data movement processes and multiple data entry steps.
What about the certified programs? You tell us, please. Are these programs a reasonable alternative to your existing processes? OSA’s principles support their development and use -- a coordinated approach among software and service providers creates the most secure, open environment possible.
Three important characteristics will drive their future growth: They must be 1) Able to meet data transfer needs (as examples, every hour, or bi-directional), 2) Available to third parties requesting participation, and 3) Affordable, in terms of upfront costs, attached conditions, recurring charges and resources required to complete the certification. It is worth understanding these programs and their associated costs and limitations, because program attributes are likely to impact directly data access by third parties.
OSA believes that a collaborative, industry-wide approach to addressing data access and security issues will drive the best results. We took a broad perspective in building our Automotive Retail Data Security Guidelines, which could be the basis for broader conversations on the topics.
What can you do?
- Build alternative and back-up data access plans.
- Explore certified program options and their fit with your company’s requirements.
- Keep your dealership customers knowledgeable about the issues and their potential impact.
- Encourage your dealership customers to take these issues into consideration.
- Join OSA.
