Open Marine Initiative
09 July 2007 - 10:15
Today, four of the leading players in the marine classifieds and data market announced a new initiative to create a free and open standard for data exchange.
Called the Open Marine Initiative, it has launched with the following main participants: TheYachtMarket.com, Yachtfocus.com, Marine Trader Media Limited (proprietors of the Boatshop24.co.uk / Boatshop24.com websites) and Forum Software Ltd. (www.forumboats.com), the creator of the Fast-Net system for yacht brokers.
“It was the boat brokers who spurred the initiative,” said Christian DeFeo, Development Manager for Marine Trader, “they want to be able to maintain their stock on one tool, and to easily broadcast it to the portals of their choice.”
Simon White, IT Director of TheYachtMarket.com, added, “Making our brokers’ lives easier has always been our key philosophy so we are really excited to be one of the founder members of the Open Marine Initiative which will do just that. The industry has been crying out for this for years.”
George Llewellin of Forumboats.com also stated, “I have been developing software for more than 25 years, the Open Marine Initiative has been needed for some time and I unequivocally support it. Brokers have consistently asked for a simple way to upload data to various websites. Fast-net does do this but it is not simple to setup”.
Hitherto, boat brokers have had to pay and / or enter into complicated arrangements for this data exchange; the Initiative will make the broadcast of advertisements across a range of portals a cost-free and easy process.
The participants in the initiative have stated that they are looking to attract other portals and software providers to join them, provided they can adhere to the Initiative’s principles of free data transfers and open standards.
Future developments will include the open publication of a new XML standard for boat advertisements, “Open Marine” certification for software solutions, and the provision of a simple, free stock management tool.
More information about the initiative can be found at www.openmarine.org
