Marshall Announces Initiative for Datasheet Link Automation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marshall Announces Initiative for Datasheet Link
Automation
El Monte, California, November 10, 1998 -- Marshall
Industries (NYSE: MI) announced today an initiative that would enable the automatic
retrieval, indexing, and cataloging of electronic manufacturers' data sheets and technical
papers over the Internet. The initiative, called ECMData, is a solution based on the
eXtensible Markup Language, otherwise known as XML. XML is metalanguage based on SGML
(Structured Generalized Markup Language) and a data format for structured document
interchange over the web. XML has joined the ranks of HTML, having recently been made a
standard by the World Wide Web Consortium (www.w3c.org/XML/), the governing body of
standards for the World Wide Web.
Marshall is leading an effort to produce simple
exporting tools for Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access for the Windows platform, as well
as Perl, and C programs for the Unix world. These tools are key to making the transition
to the new standard bearable for the manufacturer. If the manufacturer already has a list
of documents, they only must choose the tool of their choice, configure top level
information like company names and contact information, then map the existing fields
within their current format. Traditionally, webmasters were required to keep track of the
datasheets on the website. With export tools, this function can be handed to marketing
personnel who know how to describe the parts to make product and technical paper searches
more robust - - all without needing to know XML coding.
Robert Rodin, CEO and President of Marshall
Industries notes, "Electronic component manufacturers store their product datasheet
documents in either Adobe Acrobat or HTML format. It is extremely difficult to maintain an
accurate list of the documents stored on their sites. This leads to broken links within
web pages. Currently, these broken links must be discovered, researched, and maintained
manually."
He goes on to state, "With ECMData, the
component manufacturer’s company can easily maintain and export a complete,
up-to-date list of the datasheet inventory in XML format. The resulting XML file is the
key to the automation."
Using the exported XML file, which would be posted
somewhere on the component manufacturer’s site, any customer, distributor, contract
manufacturer, manufacturer's representative, or electronics sourcing site could access
what they need. Actions that may be done include importing the exposed information into
databases that are back-ends for websites, and/or indexing the information to support
search programs. Eliminated are the dead links, the researching, and the phone calls.
Other standards that will proposed in the very near
future are for parametric part information (ECMparameter) and standard pricing information
(ECMprice).
Please refer to http://www.marshall.com/ecmdata for more details.
About Marshall
Marshall Industries is one of the largest publicly
held distributors of industrial electronic components and production supplies. Marshall
connects its customers and suppliers to comprehensive coverage in the major electronic
manufacturing areas of the United States and Canada. Its network of branch locations
deliver sales and technical support to OEMs and end users - - all linked to their 24
hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week manned technical service center. Marshall's web sites provide
customers with full Internet access - - from data sheets to on-line NetSeminars (tm) and
real-time ordering. All corporate and value-added service operations meet quality
standards required for ISO 9002 certification.
Marshall Industries and its
subsidiaries have formed strategic alliances with SEI (Sonepar Electronique International)
based in the Netherlands and Serial System Ltd. based in Singapore. The alliance partners
provide coverage in 36 countries from 164 locations. They are connected to a
state-of-the-art computer system providing global access to their business partners around
the world. Headquarters in El Monte, California, the company's stock is quoted on the New
York Stock Exchange (Symbol: MI). Marshall Industries may be found on the Internet at
http://www.marshall.com or
www.electronicdesign.com
Contacts
Robert Rodin
Chief Executive Officer, President
Marshall Industries
626.307.6004
Email: robrodin@marshall.com
Kerry Young
Vice President of Information Technology
Marshall Industries
626.307.6115
Email: kyoung@marshall.com
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