The key to the future is speed and flexibility—anticipating and responding to the rapid and continually changing needs of our customers. And, at Dow Automotive, we recognize that there are many ways our customers prefer to interact with suppliers. From products to services our customers have more purchase options than ever before. So, in conjunction with The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Automotive is using eBusiness tools and strategies to build value for our customers, and improve productivity and customer interaction.

We are utilizing the digital marketplace to place our customers at the center of our eBusiness strategy. This strategy revolves around:

• Creating seamless interaction
• Empowering customers with 24/7 access to their business related information from Dow Automotive
• Fulfilling the customer's changing needs

Using XML to Create Seamless Interaction
To facilitate generally accepted standards in the chemical industry and to realize the inherent benefits of standardization, Dow has been actively involved in helping to bring other industry leaders together to develop open, non-proprietary e-standards for company-to-company, company-to-marketplace and marketplace-to-marketplace data exchange. The result of this effort is a broad set of eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML) standards that are capable of supporting many different business models.

Presented to the industry in July 2000, the initial effort in this area focused on the development of e-standards to support order, catalog and customer information. Since then, collaborative industry efforts have enabled the integration of logistics, invoicing, forecasting and exchange interactions on a multinational level.

Now ready for use, these ChemXML standards, maintained by CIDX, are the result of active contribution by numerous chemical companies and their partners. In addition, CIDX is working with AIAG to assist with Automotive XML standards.

The creation and adoption of Automotive XML Standards will enable Dow Automotive to interact electronically with Automotive customers and exchanges and therefore support the cost and time savings associated with B2B Commerce.

Online Collaboration for the Future
Dow Automotive, in conjunction with The Dow Chemical Company is working to validate and develop online collaboration offerings to be used within the business and across customers for new product development and program management in a secure environment. The objective is to reduce time to market for new product introductions and to better communicate with our customers during program development and launches. We realize that many customers utilize their own collaboration tools, so we are working on systems and processes that are flexible and can translate information easily to customer processes.

Fulfilling the Customer's Changing Needs
Dow Automotive, in conjunction with The Dow Chemical Company has begun deploying advanced CRM database programs from Siebel Systems, Inc. to manage customer information across all of its global businesses and commercial functions, with phased, company-wide implementation continuing during 2001. The customer-centric software enables Dow to create a comprehensive organizational memory of each customer's interaction with the company, which enables Dow to better understand and serve its customers globally.

Applying innovative thinking, Dow Automotive is strategically using e-business to increase its global presence, grow its service and product portfolios, and create stronger partnerships with customers. Throughout the vehicle and throughout the world Dow Automotive is continuing to develop innovative responses to our customers' needs.

For more information go to http://www.dow.com/ebusiness/index.htm.