XML Industry News. January - June, 1999.

This XML Industry News section consists mainly of links to company press releases announcing support for XML/XSL/XLink, January - June, 1999. A separate reference collection is available for current press releases. The press releases from 1998 are referenced in their own document. Some earlier press releases from Fall 1997 are listed in the document which references XML Industry Support. Major articles on XML in the trade magazines, as well as the more substantive refereed articles on XML in technical publications, are listed in the dedicated database sections: Current XML Surveys and Overview Articles and the archived XML reference collection. This page is experimental, and entirely provisional.

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• [June 30, 1999] "FreeEDGAR Earns Berth On Worth Magazine's List of the Top 10 Financial Web Sites." - "Partes Corporation today announced that Worth Magazine has named its widely used FreeEDGAR Web site as one of the top financial destinations on the Internet. FreeEDGAR provides free, unlimited access to corporate information as it is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). FreeEDGAR offers investors unparalleled ability to use the Internet to access organize and interpret financial data. Partes recently expanded its product offerings with the EDGAR Data Service, a real-time data feed of processed EDGAR filings. The service leverages the features of eXtensible Markup Language (XML) to allow seamless integration of EDGAR filings into products offered by financial data and Web content providers. Early adopters include Reuters America Inc. and Standard & Poor's Compustat."

• [June 30, 1999] "Action Technologies and UWI.Com Team to Eliminate Paper from E-Commerce Processes. Integration of XML InternetForms and ActionWorks Metro 5 e-process server streamlines internal and external work management processes." - "Action Technologies, a leader in Web-based business process automation and work management software, and a pioneer in relationship e-commerce; and UWI.Com, the leading provider of XML Internet forms solutions for business-to-business e-commerce, announced today the integration of Action Technologies' ActionWorks Metro 5 e-process application server and UWI.Com's InternetForms Commerce System. UWI.Com's InternetForms Commerce System is a complete suite of XML software that allows organizations to conduct secure, verifiable business-to-business e-commerce transactions on the Internet. InternetForms are based on Extensible Forms Description Language (XFDL), the world's first open XML protocol for legally binding web transactions."

• [June 30, 1999] "Commonwealth of Virginia Awards Contract to Radian Systems of Alexandria, VA. Company Will Install and Integrate Electronic Document Management System." - "Radian Systems, Inc. has been awarded a contract from the Texas State Comptroller's Office to perform enhancements and additions to a major imaging system originally provided by the Radian. Radian is a leading software development and professional services firm. It provides organizations XML-powered products and services aimed at the fast growing market for Enterprise, Vertical, and Application Portals that will play a key role in forging the information relationships at the heart of business-to-business e-commerce. Radian Systems is an Eastman Software Authorized Solution Provider. The company's software products also include WSDOM XML-Xpress and WSDOM XML-Portal. These advanced XML-powered applications allow organizations to take information from any legacy database, XML tag the data, and make it available over the Internet or an intranet via a standard Web browser."

• [June 29, 1999] "Crescent Deviceware to Extend DataChannel's XML-Based Enterprise Information Portal to Wireless Devices." - "Crescent Deviceware, Inc. today announced that it has licensed DataChannel RIO from DataChannel, Inc. to extend the Enterprise Information Portal (EIP) to wireless devices. Crescent's next-generation wireless server, codename Blue Moon, will leverage industry-standard eXtensible Markup Language (XML) in conjunction with RIO to facilitate access to enterprise data resources. It builds on the company's first wireless product, SmartFinder, a microsearch engine optimized for searching desktop or corporate data using wireless devices. Crescent will offer advanced wireless communication capabilities through the DataChannel RIO 3.2 platform to address the rapidly growing market for mobile information appliances, including smart phones, pagers and PDAs. The company is developing wireless solutions that are based on the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). WAP is the de facto standard for providing Internet communications and advanced telephony services on digital mobile phones, pagers, PDAs and other wireless terminals." [local archive copy]

• [June 29, 1999] "DynamicWeb's Business to Business Electronic Trading Network, EDIxchangeNetwork, Enhanced to Support SAP IDOC Electronic Document Format. XML Next Electronic Document Format to Gain EDIxchangeNetwork Support." - "DynamicWeb Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business to business E-commerce enabler, announced today that it has enhanced its EDIxchangeNetwork, to support SAP IDOCS as an electronic document format. Electronic document compliance is managed within EDIxchangeNetwork so that SAP users that subscribe, can avoid the complexity of managing the various data interchange requirements imposed by their various trading partners. EDIxchangeNetwork subscribers will be able to improve their operating efficiency by electronically exchanging more business documents with more trading partners. Next up for DynamicWeb is to incorporate support for XML based electronic documents into EDIxchangeNetwork. EDIxchangeNetwork's support for XML is scheduled for late third quarter."

• [June 29, 1999] "Inso Corporation Announces eBusiness Technologies Division. Renamed Division to Provide Solutions and Services for Sophisticated E-Business Applications." - "Inso Corporation today launched eBusiness Technologies, a division focused on helping mid-to-large-sized organizations achieve their e-business goals. Previously known as the Content Management and Internet Publishing Division, eBusiness Technologies develops and markets solutions and services explicitly designed to enable organizations to create high value and strategic e-business applications. eBusiness Technologies offers its customers DynaBase, the most comprehensive XML object-based platform for automated Web content management and personalized dynamic delivery, and MediaBank, the industry-leading media asset management system. With these applications, eBusiness Technologies provides organizations with the foremost e-business solutions on the market."

• [June 29, 1999] "NaviSys Introduces First XMLife Implementation at ACORD Technology Conference." - "NaviSys Straight Through Processing was introduced in two standing-room-only sessions during the ACORD Technology Conference `99 in Orlando. NaviSys STP is the industry's first platform to integrate sales illustration, policy administration, underwriting and the Internet. On June 21, ACORD approved XMLife, an XML-based implementation of OLifE, as a new life insurance industry standard for data interchange. NaviSys developed XMLife for ACORD and uses it as the underlying architecture for NaviSys STP. [Rob] Marone is also chairman of ACORD's XML working group, which was responsible for researching and developing an XML implementation of OLifE to simplify agent-company functions through the Internet. The main benefit of XML is its interoperability, he explains. 'While desktop OLifE is strictly a client/server architecture, the XMLife model is inherently 'point-to-point' in nature. In desktop OLifE, the applications revolve around the server like the planets orbit the sun; they communicate only with the server, and never with each other directly. In XMLife, any application in the enterprise is free to communicate with any other'." See "ACORD - XML for the Insurance Industry."

• [June 29, 1999] "BlueGill Technologies Showcases its Newest Internet Billing Application. Telecommunications Providers Focus on Electronic Bill Payment and Presentment at Billing '99." - "With the BlueGill Engine, the i-Series combines a modular set of industry specific functions for billing management, business-to-business bills, statements, payment linkage, administration, e-commerce, customer service and marketing, and data management. The BlueGill Engine manages the transition of legacy data into XML-based 'Smart Objects,' by transforming the data into an object model and storing it as an XML construct. BlueGill Smart Objects are used to transform customer data into interactive applications, creating a customized, flexible business application based on BlueGill's experience in each of the industries it targets."

• [June 29, 1999] "IBM and Rational Announce Strategic Alliance to Help Companies Accelerate The Transition to e-Business. Alliance Delivers New Integration Between IBM's e-Business Software and Rational Suite." - "The alliance underscores IBM's and Rational's commitment to provide e-business software that is based on open industry standards such as XML and Java, which enable software teams to seamlessly design, develop, test and deploy enterprise-scale e-business applications. Through joint development, IBM and Rational will provide solutions that support the entire application development process to provide business process modeling, business requirements definition, visual modeling, code generation, configuration management, defect tracking, testing, deployment and systems management with tools optimized for every role on the development team. The first result of this partnership is a new integration between IBM's VisualAge* integrated development environment and Rational Suite. This new integration is a standards-based XML Metadata Interchange (XMI) bridge between IBM's award-winning VisualAge* for Java and Rational Rose, a key product in Rational Suite. . . In addition to providing the ability to do mass customization, IBM will help developers implement solutions based on the Application Framework for e-business. The Application Framework supports open standards such as Enterprise JavaBeans, Unified Modeling Language (UML), eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and XML Metadata Interchange Format (XMI)." See also XMI toolkit: bridge to Rational Rose. [IBM announcement]

• [June 29, 1999] "REBOL 2.1 Released: The Universal Scripting Language Now Spans 30 Platforms. A Historical First: Scripts Run On All Platforms Without Modification." - "REBOL Technologies Tuesday announced REBOL 2.1, the latest release of the universal scripting language that runs on 30 widely used operating system platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Palm OS and Windows CE. New features in REBOL 2.1 include an XML parser, refined security such as sandbox directories, and new network features, such as direct access to NNTP.[REBOL is a messaging language that provides a broad range of practical solutions to the daily challenges of Internet computing. While designed to be simple and productive for novices, the language extends a new dimension of power to even the most seasoned of professionals. REBOL offers a significant new approach to the seamless exchange and interpretation of network-based information over a wide variety of computing platforms."

• [June 28, 1999] "JetForm Announces First Comprehensive XML Forms Definition to Speed E-Commerce Adoption. Leading Internet Security Vendors Entrust, PenOp, Silanis and VeriSign Align with New "XML Forms Architecture" for Secure Compliant Documents of Record." - "JetForm Corporation, a global leader in e-forms and e-process solutions, has announced 'XML Forms Architecture' (XFA). Summary: (1) JetForm today announced the "XML Forms Architecture" (XFA), a comprehensive and open specification that builds on the XML standard. (2) XFA is a device-independent use of XML for creating multiple views of documents and their data, using underlying XML for data definitions. XFA addresses both presentation and archive issues. (3) XFA is the first specification to accommodate multimedia output such as on-screen, print, and Web publishing, supporting companies' transition from paper-based processes to e-processes. (4) Leading Internet security solutions vendors such as Entrust, PenOp, Silanis and VeriSign have all announced their support for XFA. (5) JetForm has submitted XFA to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and it has been acknowledged as a submission. The specification and additional information are publicly available at www.xfa.com." See "XML Forms Architecture (XFA)." [local archive copy]

• [June 28, 1999] "MarketSoft Revolutionizes Exchange of Sales Leads Across Extended Enterprise with XML. MarketSoft First ISV to Submit BizTalk Framework-Compatible Schema to BizTalk.Org ... eLeads Capability Currently in Use at Compaq, Fidelity, and Tech Data." - "MarketSoft today announced that it has the distinction of being the first Independent Software Vendor (ISV) to submit its XML-based eLeads solution, already in use in multiple production environments, as a schema compatible with the BizTalk Framework. MarketSoft's schema has been submitted to BizTalk.org, the central repository and developer resource site for BizTalk Framework compatible schemas. MarketSoft, through its aggressive use of XML, and its early submission of a BizTalk Framework compatible schema, has taken a leadership position in helping to define an extended enterprise sales lead interchange standard."

• [June 28, 1999] "Lunatech Research announces the release of the Morphon XML Editor BETA 1." - "The Morphon XML Editor is a XML editor which lets you easily create and modify XML documents. It makes sure your document is a correct one (considering the DTD you are using) and presents the data in a user friendly way. Both the XMLEditor and the EXSLEditor are written in java." For related software, see "XML Document Editing, DTD Editing, Stylesheet Editing, Formatting, Browsing, and Delivery Tools."

• [June 24, 1999] "MessagingDirect Leap Frogs Bill Presentment Technologies With Scalable 'Message Centric' Solution." - "MessagingDirect Ltd., the leader in standards-based messaging and directory solutions, is giving e-business software competitors a run for their money with a bill presentment solution that is capable of processing over 40 million bills a day or 500 bills per second. MessagingDirect's M-Business is directed at major billers such as utilities, banks, and credit unions that wish to bill customers directly over the Extranet or with ISP's or consolidators acting as billing outsourcers. The product is a complete solution covering legacy application integration, XML translation, billing history stores, opt-in and opt-out subscription services, customizing Software Development Kit (SDK), tracking and simple transparent security."

• [June 24, 1999] "Phase Forward and TRW Provide State-of-the-Art Coding to Web-Based Clinical Trials." - "Phase Forward Incorporated, the leading provider of Internet solutions for clinical data collection and management, and TRW Healthcare Solutions plan to extend Phase Forward's InForm with TRW's AutoCode CS technology. InForm is the de facto industry software standard for Web-based, integrated clinical data entry and management. 'In achieving our working relationship, Phase Forward and TRW share one common belief - to provide the best open, standards compliant solutions to the clinical industry. Our combined solutions provide unparalleled readiness for FDA approval as well as Web-based XML standards for clinical data exchange,' concluded John Cook. See "Clinical Trial Data Model."

• [June 24, 1999] "HK Systems, Inc. Announces SCM/Enterprise Supply Chain Visibility (SCV). Industry's First Multi-Warehouse Enabled Inventory Visibility." - "HK Systems announces today the delivery of Enterprise/Supply Chain Visibility, the world's first complete enterprise inventory visibility solution. Enterprise/SCV offers HK Systems' customers the ability to manage centrally inventory stores contained in multiple warehouse management systems in a customer's Supply Chain. Enterprise/SCV is a module in the SCM/Enterprise family of products offering the industry's first complete Supply Chain execution solution, and can be operated as an individual module or together with the rest of the suite. SCM/EA utilizes XML Business Object Documents (BOD) defined by the Open Application Group (OAG), routed via a CORBA 3.0 Event Notification Service implemented in Java for platform independence. This provides standard adapters to support integration with SAP R/3, Oracle Applications, EDI, XML, and other common formats."

• [June 24, 1999] "MRO.com Delivers Buy-Side Online Procurement Solution For Purchasing MRO Materials and Services. mroBuyer Substantially Reduces MRO Purchasing Costs." - "MRO.com, Inc., a leading provider of MRO e-Commerce systems and wholly-owned subsidiary of PSDI, announced today the general availability of its latest release of mroBuyer, a complete buy-side Internet-based procurement solution for maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) materials and services. [mroBuyer includes] Transaction Server, an industry-standard, XML-based connection to the mroMarketplace that provides live, real-time status on orders and transactions between connected buyer and suppliers."

• [June 24, 1999] "XML Application Server Beta Edition Released. Beta Edition now available for Java on Linux and Windows under Open Source license." - "[Planet7 is] pleased to announce the release of the XML Application Server Beta Edition. The XML Application Server breaks down the barriers of writing real-time, multi-user XML applications. You can quickly write Internet/Intranet applications that break the stateless model of traditional HTTP based solutions. Without care for network or concurrent programming, the XML Application Server allows you to write real-time enabled Enterprise applications including virtual meetings, document collaboration, real-time customer service, and the merging of mutliple XML data points with business logic. Download the XML Application Server beta today! We are pleased to announce the release of the XML Application Server Beta Edition for Java on Linux/Windows NT."

• [June 23, 1999] "Microsoft Announces Steps to Strengthen Consumer Privacy Online. Company Encourages Higher Privacy Standards Throughout the Industry To Create a Trusted Framework for Commerce." - "At PC Expo today, Microsoft Corp. announced that the company is taking a series of steps to strengthen consumer privacy on the Internet. The Privacy Wizard, which was co-developed with the TRUSTe privacy seal program, was posted as part of the Microsof LinkExchange Web site only six weeks ago, and already more than 2,000 companies have used the tool to help develop privacy policies. To encourage even more rapid proliferation of comprehensive privacy statements, Microsoft will make the Privacy Wizard widely available to individuals and small businesses that create or manage Web sites. P3P was started by W3C in 1997 to meet the data privacy expectations of consumers while assuring that the Internet remains available and productive for commerce. The Privacy Wizard is the first application of the P3P syntax to privacy statements and will help customers create such statements in Extensible Markup Language (XML). Since they can be easily interpreted by software, these XML statements are intended to spur the creation of technologies that one day will enable customers to choose the sites they visit based on their privacy assurances. . ."

• [June 23, 1999] "STEP Group Forms New Company in the United Kingdom." - "STEP GmbH is pleased to announce the formation of a new company based in the UK. The company will be based in Swindon and starts operations on July 1, 1999. The name of the new company has not yet been finally decided, but it will reflect the fact that all the employees of the new STEP company come from the former DPSL (Database Publishing Systems Limited).The STEP Group is proud to have won the confidence of the former DPSL employees and to have become what is probably Europe's largest player in the SGML/XML area, with over 90 employees. As part of Bertelsmann Industrial Services the STEP Group has a strong backbone for long-term business relationships with its customers."

• [June 23, 1999] "Agile, Si2, Demonstrate Internet-Based Information Standard for Electronic Components. New Capability Provides Real Time Access to Component Information Via the Web." - "Agile Software Corporation, a leading supplier of product change collaboration solutions for the electronic supply chain, and the Silicon Integration Initiative, Inc. (Si2) announced that they will be demonstrating the new capabilities of the Electronic Component Information eXchange (ECIX) standard at the 36th Design Automation Conference (DAC). [said Don Cottrell, VP of Technology at Si2]: 'Standards are the key to delivering on that promise . . . The XML-based ECIX QuickData architecture being demonstrated this week, in combination with Agile Anywhere's open architecture, scalability and security, will provide a powerful platform for harnessing the promise of business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce for the supply chain.' The Electronic Component Information eXchange (ECIX) project is dedicated to designing standards for creation, exchange and use of electronic component information. The ECIX architecture and standards are based on XML, are extensible, unambiguous, well documented and are maintained under the direction of Si2. A number of companies are actively involved with the ECIX program. They include Agile Software, Lucent, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, Motorola, Philips, and others."

• [June 23, 1999] "Transformis LLC Unveils Stylus." - "Transformis is pleased to announce the availability of Stylus, the first Integrated Development Environment for the Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL). With Stylus, developers can finally leverage the full potential of XML and XSL through an easy-to-use yet powerful interface. Stylus streamlines the creation of dynamic web sites by providing a graphical environment for the entire development process. From XML data to final result, Stylus keeps developers in control." See also the news entry.

• [June 22, 1999] "Bluestone Launches Code Blue Developer Program Featuring No Up-Front Licensing Fees. Java, Web, and XML Developers Get Jump Start on Building Internet Commerce and Data Integration Applications." - "Bluestone Software, Inc., a performance leader in Enterprise Interaction Management, today launched Code Blue, a developer program that gives Java, Web, and XML application developers no-initial-cost access to Bluestone's industry-leading Application Server frameworks for building Internet commerce (iCommerce) and data integration applications. Beginning today, developers can register for Code Blue online: 'Code Blue Developer Program - For Independent Software Vendors (ISV)'. The Code Blue program encompasses all Bluestone products, including Sapphire/Web, the platform-independent, 100% Pure Java Application Server framework that sets the new standard for enterprise-class iCommerce; and Bluestone XML Suite, the company's revolutionary dynamic XML Application Server and toolkit that provides a fundamental platform for building, distributing, and deploying XML applications."

• [June 22, 1999] "Hynet Unveils Major Upgrade to Hynet Directive." - "Hynet Technologies today announced the availability of Hynet Directive 2.5, a major upgrade to Hynets XML publishing system for transforming static document files into dynamic, reusable information components for publishing to the Web, print and CD-ROM. The new features of version 2.5 make Hynet Directive the ideal system for producing Dynamic Customer Content (DCC) on the fly that can be delivered to specific target audiences. Hynet Directive 2.5 is a single-sourcing system that accepts as inputs a wide variety of data types and outputs content to many formats quickly and easily. Directive 2.5 allows organizations to import virtually any data type including XML, SGML, and HTML, as well as Adobe FrameMaker, WordPerfect and Microsoft Word document content into the Directive XML publishing repository. Within the Hynet Directive publishing repository, data is stored as reusable information units (IUs) that can be combined to create customized content. By tailoring the metadata that describes the IUs, Directive 2.5 gives users the flexibility to determine which IUs are to be delivered to which audiences."

• [June 22, 1999] "Oracle Frees Data for E-Business, Extends XML Support to All Major Development Languages. New XML Components Offer Unprecedented Flexibility in Application Development And Ease Data Exchange Between Business Applications." - "At iDevelop 99 today, Oracle Corp., the number one choice for e-Business, announced the immediate availability of new XML components, making it the only vendor to offer XML interfaces to all major development languages -- Java, C, C++ and PL/SQL. These new components dramatically improve productivity for Internet developers seeking to access legacy information and transport it between business applications using XML. All XML components are available immediately for free download from Oracle Technology Network (OTN). Two of the new components announced today, Oracle XML Parser for C and Oracle XML Parser for C++, complement Oracle's existing parsers for Java and PL/SQL. Like their predecessors, the C and C++ components support both Document Object Model (DOM) and Simple API for XML (SAX) interfaces and are deployed on the Oracle Application Server to access data in Oracle8 and Oracle8i databases."

• [June 22, 1999] "Extensibility Launches Breakthrough XML Schema Conversion and Authoring Tool. XML Authority 1.0 Accelerates the Creation of XML-Based Industry, Corporate and Application Grammars for the Internet." - "Extensibility today announced the release of XML Authority 1.0, a comprehensive XML schema authoring and conversion tool that enables Web developers to migrate existing data structures to the Internet via XML -- the new standard language for Web pages. This capability accelerates the creation of XML-based industry, corporate and application grammars for the Internet. XML Authority 1.0 converts ODBC data structures, Java classes, COM objects, LDAP schemas, DTD's and XML documents to all major XML schema formats. XML schema syntax output support includes DTD's, XML-Data (IE5 level), the XML Schema Definition Language (XSDL), DCD's, and DDML. XML Authority 1.0 features a graphical user interface that allows users to import or create XML schemas, and view document elements, attributes, entities and other objects in a hierarchical tree. This makes it easy to view data structures and relationships for a class of documents. Graphical representation of the document structure also is provided. With cut-and-paste support, modular schema development is easily achieved. Collaborative schema development, within and between organizations is enhanced with audience-specific notes and change logging support."

• [June 22, 1999] "Eprise Participant Server 2.0 to Support Solaris and Application Servers Based on Java Technologies. Ease of integration enables any application server designed for the Java[tm] platform to leverage Participant Server's distributed content management services using XML." - "The new capability provides a JavaBean interface to the Participant Server's XML integration framework. This makes it possible for Java Server Pages, Java servlets and other applications based on Java technology to control, automate and extend the capabilities in Participant Server 2.0. As a result, companies leveraging Java platforms can now use Eprise's out-of-the-box content, participant, and business rule management services within their existing solutions, rather than having to build from scratch or implement proprietary application servers for content and participant management."

• [June 21, 1999] "Gemplus smartX Framework Brings Smart Card-Based Applications to the Mainstream. XML-Based Technology Revolutionizes Smart Card Application Development and Deployment." - "Gemplus, the world's leading provider of smart card-based solutions, today announced smartX, a new software technology that will simplify smart card-based application development and deployment, enable card and terminal independence, and allow for web-based maintainability. Gemplus anticipates that smartX technology will increase considerably the number of new generation smart cards being developed using popular programming languages such as Java technology, C++ and Visual Basic and leveraging widely deployed legacy systems. smartX separates application development from the complexity of smart card device management, a breakthrough that for the first time allows easy implementation of the same application on different types or generations of smart card. Based on the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) standard, smartX allows developers to write smart card applications independent of manufacturer-specific card management protocols, essentially enabling them to write 'virtual smart card objects' that are platform (card and terminal) independent."

• [June 21, 1999] "Datastream To Provide E-Commerce Solution Based On Biztalk Framework. MP2 Professional, MaintainIt Pro and MaintainIt compatible with latest version of Microsoft Office." - "Datastream Systems, Inc. today announced future support for Microsoft's BizTalk Framework in its e-MRO e-commerce solution. Released in February 1999, e-MRO utilizes Extensible Markup Language (XML) technology with the Microsoft platform, including Microsoft Transaction Server, Microsoft SQL Server and Active Server Page technologies. By embracing the Microsoft BizTalk Framework, e-MRO will seamlessly integrate with any MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) parts distribution software that is compatible with the Microsoft e-commerce platform or BizTalk Framework. In addition, Datastream's customers will avoid the costs of custom integration and support for each distributor."

• [June 21, 1999] "Phase Forward Submits XML-based Clinical Trial Data Model to Worldwide Standards Organizations. Opens Technology to Accelerate Clinical Trial Data Exchange Standards." - Phase Forward Incorporated has announced that it will be submitting its established eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based data model of their InForm Web-based clinical trial data collection and management software to key industry standards organizations to jumpstart the development of a data interchange model. The Phase Forward Document Type Definition (DTD) data model written in XML will be presented to the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Committee (CDISC), a special interest group of the Drug Information Association (DIA), at its meeting on June 28, 1999. Additionally, Phase Forward also has plans to submit its DTD to the Health Level 7 (HL7) organization and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). CDISC, HL7, and the W3C are the primary standards organizations focused on establishing a data model and XML-based Document Type Definition (DTD) for the healthcare informatics industries." [announcement from Phase Forward]

• [June 17, 1999] "J.P. Morgan, PricewaterhouseCoopers Announce that IBM Will Join Team to Help Establish E-commerce Standard. Technology leader will join technical committee for new XML-based protocol." - "J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP announced that International Business Machines Corp. would participate on the technical committee for the recently announced Internet-based protocol FpML (XML-based Financial Products Markup Language), a specification for electronic dealing and information sharing of financial derivatives. The two firms also announced that IBM would help create FpML seminars for technical and financial services professionals worldwide. The FpML standard, which will be licensed freely to the technical and financial markets, is based on XML, the emerging Internet standard for data-sharing between applications. The FpML specification will allow the Internet-based integration of a range of services, from electronic trading and confirmations to portfolio specification for risk analysis." For related information, see also "Financial Products Markup Language (FpML)."

• [June 17, 1999] "Vertex Industries Announces XML Interface to IBM MQ Series." - "Vertex Industries, Inc. has announced plans to release a new component of its evolve suite of next generation middleware tools. The module, named Vixen, provides the means to translate and transform messages between XML documents and legacy data structures. Evolve leverages XML technology and its cross platform functionality to exchange data between applications running in heterogeneous environments. Using the information contained in C headers and COBOL workbooks, self describing messages are created that can be used by applications running in the different environments. See also Vertex's evolve, which "uses a powerful XML interface to link your web-based applications to those running on legacy platforms."

• [June 17, 1999] "SAP AG Announces Commitment to RosettaNet Global Internet Standards. SAP Extends Its mySAP.com Internet Strategy by Helping Companies Leverage Standard Interfaces Between Supply Chain Partners." - "SAP today announced its endorsement of eConcert, the multipartner implementation of RosettaNet's electronic commerce standards. As one of the enterprise business software solution members of the managing board of the RosettaNet global electronic commerce standards consortium, SAP is committed to implementing RosettaNet Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based Partner Interface Processes (PIP) to help further extend the current Internet commerce capabilities of its 20,000 customers worldwide by RosettaNet's Feb. 2, 2000, industry readiness target date. With its endorsement of the RosettaNet e-commerce standards, SAP continues to broaden its offering of Internet-enabled applications and build upon mySAP.com, the company's Internet business strategy that creates collaborative markets and dynamic business relationships."

• [June 17, 1999] "PHT Corp. Announces First Web-Based Clinical Trials Data Management Solution Built Using Emerging XML Standard. XML-Supported, Web-Based PlexxNet Clinical Network Version 4.0 is Major Step Toward Development of Industry Standard." - "PHT Corp. announced today the development of Version 4.0 of its PlexxNet Clinical Network, a web-based, paperless system for direct data capture, data and trial management that supports the full life cycle of clinical trials. This newest version of PlexxNet, with delivery expected in the fourth quarter, is the first system in the clinical trials industry to use XML (eXtensible Markup Language) to enable increased data interchange, archiving, storage, and management. [Said Stan Erck, president and CEO of PHT], 'An XML-based standard for the industry has the potential to solve many of the data archiving, viewing, interchange and regulatory agency submission issues faced by our customers and the entire drug development industry'. PHT and Lincoln Technologies are jointly developing a new DTD (Document Type Definition) for the clinical trials market. In turn, PHT and Lincoln will make the DTD available to the clinical research industry to begin the development of an open and broad XML-based standard for clinical research."

• [June 16, 1999] "Justsystem Corporation Exhibits `Ichitaro Ark for Java' the First Multi-Lingual Java Application At JavaOne." - "Justsystem announced today the first practical multi-lingual word processor entirely written in Java to exhibit at JavaOne. Ichitaro Ark takes full advantage of Java 2 international features, allowing users to edit and display different languages regardless of supporting system platforms. By adopting HTML/XML as primary file formats, users are free from hustles in exchanging and sharing their documents in any environment. XML's extensibility will allow 'Ichitaro Ark' to be used for many creative applications such as Content and Knowledge Management. Justsystem will ship 'Ichitaro Ark' later this year." See the preview.

• [June 16, 1999] "Sun Fields 'Dream Team' of Wall Street Players at SIA Show." - Sun Microsystems, Inc. has assembled another 'Dream Team' of Wall Street players in its booth at this year's SIA Technology Management Conference & Exhibit in New York, with Sun's 'dot-com' strategy and technologies such as the Java programming language and XML taking center court. Athena Design/VNP will demonstrate XMLcast, an extensible application framework that makes it easy to construct XML document based messaging systems. XMLcast's extensible framework allows customers to organize XML documents into channels, enables easy assembly of client and server side functionality, supports secure movement of documents and is designed for scalability and extensibility. . . Innovision will unveil the new release of Innovision Financial Server. The packaged solution introduces a host of easy to use thin-client templates and developer resources for creating powerful environments centered around the core financial server. Innovision's SIA application is a customizable XML-based financial Web Top to aggregate news, quotes and research into a thin client."

• [June 16, 1999] "Microsoft and Bridge Information Systems Team To Facilitate Internet Delivery of Real-Time Financial Information XML Schema for Real-Time Financial Information Submitted to Microsoft Windows DNAfs Advisory Council." - "Today at the Securities Industry Association (SIA) Technology Management Conference and Exhibit, Microsoft Corp. and Bridge Information Systems Inc. demonstrated the results of joint work on an Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based schema that allows the exchange of various real-time market data types, including stock pricing, pages, and company news and history. Organizations in the financial industry, long in need of a common language for financial information, will now be able to integrate applications easily, extend existing applications, and share information with customers on the Internet. Real-time market data is a critical component to enabling straight-through-processing. The XML schema for real-time market data will be proposed to the Microsoft Windows Distributed interNet Applications for Financial Services (Windows DNAfs) Advisory Council for adoption in the existing message set. . . Bridge will roll out Market Data Markup Language [MDML] support in the Bridge Trading Room System [BTRS] servers, BridgeFeed site server and Bridge Internet servers."

• [June 16, 1999] "Innovision Announces Release of NEPAL XP: The Solution For Information Uniformity." - "Innovision Corporation will introduce a powerful new XML Protocol (XP) framework, NEPAL XP, to achieve universal data interchange at Sun's annual JavaOne Conference June 15 to 18, 1999. The NEPAL XP framework allows developers to define XML protocols in order to quickly create and deploy high-performance applications and systems that utilizes the protocol. The NEPAL XP components include: (1) NEPAL XP Language: A language modeling platform that enables full life-cycle development of XML Protocols; (2) NEPAL XP Server: A powerful server component that supports protocol-specific frameworks and application development; (3) NEPAL XP Client: Thin-client components for browsers, embedded devices and emerging technologies; (4) NEPAL XP Tools: A set of high-end development tools that enables the rapid creation of ubiquitous computing environments. NEPAL XP components drive the weavelet demonstration unveiled yesterday at the JavaOne Conference. A weavelet is a program for weaving generalized XML content from multiple sources into a focused, specialized XML application." See also the white paper.

• [June 16, 1999] "IBM Makes Business Integration Easier. New Releases of MQSeries Family to Feature XML and Java-based Messaging Capabilities." - "IBM today made it easier for companies to exchange information internally and with business partners and customers, by announcing powerful new capabilities for its industry-leading MQSeries* family of messaging software. Included in the announcement is support across the MQSeries family to use eXtensible Markup Language (XML), making the MQSeries family the bridge between the emerging XML standard and heterogeneous enterprises. MQSeries also has new Java Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for even greater platform independence.

• [June 16, 1999] "UWI.Com's XML InternetForms Now Entrust-Ready. Entrust Digital Signatures and Certificates Can Now be Used With UWI.Com's InternetForms Commerce System." - "UWI.Com, [a] leading provider of XML Internet forms for business-to-business e-commerce, today announced that the InternetForms Commerce System has successfully completed the Entrust test program to achieve Entrust-Ready branding. Users can now take advantage of Entrust Technologies' robust PKI solutions to digitally sign and secure UWI.Com's open, verifiable, and legally-binding XML InternetForms. The open architecture of UWI.Com's InternetForms provides interoperability with every major vendor's digital security products, including digital signatures, smartcards, and biometric tokens. . . UWI.Com's InternetForms Commerce System is a complete suite of XML software that allows organizations to conduct secure, verifiable business-to-business e-commerce transactions on the Internet. InternetForms are based on Extensible Forms Description Language (XFDL), the world's first open XML protocol for legally-binding web transactions. XFDL was authored by UWI.Com and Tim Bray, co-editor of the original XML specification, and has been submitted to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and CommerceNet for consideration as a standard method for representing business and government forms on the Internet."

• [June 16, 1999] "StreamServe Release 2.2 Helps Companies Extend Existing ERP Solutions for E-Business. New Release Supports XML to Enhance Customer Communications." - "StreamServe, a rapidly growing intelligent output management provider, today announced general availability of StreamServe Release 2.2, with capability to both produce personalized customer documents and receive, process and distribute information in XML (eXtensible Markup Language). Together, these capabilities answer two of the most pressing needs facing companies today: increasing customer satisfaction and expanding into e-commerce. StreamServe has built momentum for e-business with strategic alliances and recent product enhancements. At Microsoft's Electronic Commerce Solutions Briefing Day, StreamServe was among 12 world-leading software vendors supporting Microsoft's BizTalk Server initiatives. The BizTalk framework provides the ideal platform to support the different XML flavors. StreamServe 2.2 also includes double-byte character set (DBCS) support to provide for languages such as Japanese (Kanji), Chinese (both simplified and traditional), and Korean, knocking down barriers to overseas markets."

• [June 15, 1999] "DataChannel's xDev Developer Days to further XML Application Development for Mainstream Adoption. Leading XML experts present a one-day seminar focused on XML processes and applications." - "DataChannel, Inc. today announced the first in a series of Developer Days seminars for members of their xDev Developer Program and those interested in the advancement of XML technology understanding. These one-day seminars will feature training and discussion from the world's leading experts in XML For experienced XML developers looking to gain insightful and practical knowledge to build successful XML processes and XML applications, xDev Developer Days will provide the ideal forum. The first seminar in this series will take place July 16, 1999, in San Jose, CA. xDev Developer Days will provide a unified forum to present a cohesive framework of processes on which developers can build XML applications in the enterprise. This holistic approach will show the value of XML from a conceptual standard to the creation of applications that change the way enterprises manage and use information." See also xDev Developer Days Q&A.

• [June 15, 1999] "webMethods Announces Support for FpML Protocol Serving the Financial Services Industry. webMethods is First Vendor to Commit to FpML Support; Company Contributes its XML Expertise Alongside J.P. Morgan and PriceWaterhouseCoopers." - "webMethods, Inc., [a] leading provider of XML-based solutions for business-to-business e-commerce and integration, today announced support for the FpML standard (Financial Products Markup Language), an open XML-based protocol that supports financial derivatives, e-commerce and data sharing between applications. Led by J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the FpML standard will facilitate seamless Internet-based integration for a wide range of client services, allowing the financial services market to take full advantage of Internet connectivity while lowering operational risks. As the adoption of XML-based standards continues to accelerate, webMethods B2B ensures the development of open trading communities across multiple industries through support of current and emerging business-to-business initiatives and XML standards, including ACORD, OBI, Microsoft BizTalk, Commerce XML (cXML), RosettaNet, FIXML, and FpML." For related information, see also "Financial Products Markup Language (FpML)."

• [June 15, 1999] "XML For All Announces Free XML Scripting Tools." - "XML For All, Inc. today announced the release of its first product, the XFA Scripting System, a rapid application development system for XML. XFA (XML For All) is a set of XML tags that specify executable actions. Other approaches to processing XML require the use of another language such as Java, Perl, or Visual Basic. With XFA, all you need is XML. XFA was designed from the start around XML and uses XML pervasively. XFA is ideal for developing advanced web sites. An XFA script contains a mix of XFA, XML, and HTML tagged elements allowing web page designers and programmers to share a common language. Its easy to add new executable tags to XFA or to create a custom interpreter for a new XML tag set. The XFA Scripting System includes an XFA interpreter, comprehensive documentation, and a collection of examples, libraries, and tools."

• [June 15, 1999] "DMTF Reaches Milestones in the Continuing Development of WBEM Technologies. New Directory Enabled Networks (DEN) working group formed at DMTF's Annual Conference to promote the continued development and adoption of DEN." - "Recently completed versions of DMTF specifications include: (1) CIM Specification v2.2: The CIM specification is the language and methodology for describing management data. (2) CIM Schema v2.2: The CIM Schema includes models for enabling applications from different developers on different platforms to describe management data in a standard format. CIM Schema v2.2 now includes models for Logical networks, to complete the DEN model, and Distributed Application Processing (DAP). (3) XML Mapping v2.0 and XML DTD v2.0: The XML (eXtensible Markup Language) Mapping specification defines a standard for the representation of CIM elements and messages in XML. XML Mapping v2.0 now includes additions for HTTP operations." See also "DMTF Common Information Model (CIM)."

• [June 15, 1999] "Infinity Contributes XML-based Network Trade Model to Microsoft Windows DNAfs Initiative. Infinity to Lead the Windows DNAs Advisory Council Competency Centers for Risk Management and Derivatives." - "Infinity has contributed the Infinity Network Trade Model to the Microsoft Windows Distributed interNetworking Architecture for Financial Services (Windows DNAfs) Advisory Council. The Infinity Network Trade Model will form the basis for industry standards definitions for Risk Management and Derivatives schemas and interfaces. The Windows DNAfs initiative for straight-through-processing defines cross-platform XML-based schemas and an interface standard for financial services software developers. Microsoft recently invited developers from the leading software vendors and financial institutions to form a consortium to evolve standards for the exchange of information relating to financial transactions."

• [June 15, 1999] "Novera Software Embraces XML to Extend Web Application Integration Capabilities. Company Ships Novera 4.5 to Deliver Unrivalled Integration Solution for Distributed Electronic Commerce Applications." - "Novera 4.5 adds XML support, along with a new IBM WebSphere module, to easily extend enterprise applications to the Web. By combining the power of XML with its standards-based business object approach, Novera is enabling a new generation of Web-enabled, distributed electronic commerce applications. . . Novera 4.5 accesses that order and automatically transforms it into a format compatible with the retailer's mainframe ordering system (such as CICS) to allow for immediate processing. Simultaneously, that order data is transformed into XML format to be delivered to and processed by the retailer's supplier who can immediately replenish the retailer's inventory."

• [June 15, 1999] "Innovision Introduces Powerful New Financial Web Top Application." - "Innovision will will demonstrate a new Financial Web Top this week at the Securities Industry Association's (SIA) annual Technology Management Conference in New York. . . anw will unveil the new release of Innovision Financial Server at JavaOne. The packaged solution introduces a host of easy to use thin-client templates and developer resources for creating powerful environments centered around the core financial server. Innovision's SIA application is a customizable XML-based financial Web Top to aggregate news, quotes and research into a thin client."

• [June 15, 1999] "POET and Ariba Deliver eBusiness Data Interchange to Early Adopters. Links Suppliers and Buyers Using State-of-the-Art XML Technology." Poet announced an early adopter program for eBusiness catalog data interchange. POET's products and services will allow sharing, reuse and Web delivery of XML content to suppliers who wish to connect with Ariba eCommerce solutions, including Ariba Operating Resource Management System (Ariba ORMS) and Ariba.com Network. POET Software's XML expertise and data repository competencies play a key role in enabling the seamless, Internet-based exchange of catalog information between a supplier's IT system and a buyer's Ariba-based eCommercesystem. POET is an important strategic technology partner in the Ariba Supplier Link (ASL) program and has provided leadership in cXML content integration with supplier eCommerce systems." See also the Poet announcement.

• [June 14, 1999] "Atex Media Solutions Introduces Omnex. Omnex is the First and Only System to Enable Simultaneous Use of Content in All Products, Media" - "Atex Media Solutions today introduced Omnex, a new, revolutionary content and information management solution for news. Omnex is the first and only solution that allows publishers to collect, process, manage, and distribute an individual item of news content to all of their products simultaneously, regardless of the medium.Omnex uses Extensible Markup Language (XML), the popular, standard markup language that is supported by industry giants such as Microsoft, Netscape, and Adobe. XML allows the content of any element to be separated from the form in which it will eventually be distributed. This separation means that an individual item of content need only be edited and marked up once for multiple purposes. Omnex automatically determines what form this content should assume upon distribution to different products and/or media. Omnex Edit Manager uses many of the same tools as Page Manager, including the same XML-based composition engine. Users may edit in draft, WYSIWYG galley, WYSIWYG area compose, or full-page mode." See also "Financial Times Becomes An Early Adopter Of Omnex."

• [June 14, 1999] "DataChannel, Inc. Announces the Industry's Most Comprehensive Suite of XML Training Offerings." - DataChannel, Inc. today announced the availability of the industry's most comprehensive suite of instructor-led XML training courses. The primary focus of these courses is to enable customers to build their competence with XML technology, manage strategic XML-centric projects, and develop XML-based applications within the scope of the global information economy. The training offerings are provided by DataChannel's Professional Services arm, ISOGEN International, which has over seven years of experience educating customers to succeed with structured information initiatives. The first of these XML-focused training courses is scheduled to begin July 12, 1999, in a variety of cities across the United States, Canada, and Europe." See also 'DataChannel Training Q&A' and "DataChannel's xDev Developer Days to further XML Application Development for Mainstream Adoption. Leading XML experts present a one-day seminar focused on XML processes and applications."

• [June 12, 1999] "ClientSoft Gives Application Developers Direct XML Access to Mainframe Data. Launches First XML Standard for IBM 3270 and 5250 Terminal Emulators. - "ClientSoft Inc., a leader in the legacy extension marketplace, announced today that it will provide XML specifications that position the mainframe and AS/400 operating platforms to fully participate in the evolving XML standard. Terminal Emulation Markup Language, TxML, specifications will be developed by ClientSoft and provided to W3C Standards Body. This initiative will allow mainframe and AS/400 customers to participate in e-commerce and e-business in an easy and open way without the need to change a single line of their application codes. TxML enables application developers to directly access and use mainframe legacy system data in terminal emulator programs without needing an Application Programming Interface (API). This breakthrough TxML standard has been integrated into ClientSoft's ClientBuilder product line, a complete development toolset for enterprise-to-enterprise, enterprise-to-Web and enterprise-to-wireless legacy data extension solutions. Applications that use TxML document formatting have the potential to reside anywhere in the network, both locally or on the Internet. The TxML specifications eliminate the need for the use of dated API's, such as EHLLAPI. Moreover, companies can now interact with 3720/5250 emulation information using a standard XML parsing engine."

• [June 12, 1999] "New Workshop Discusses the Next 'Killer App' - XML for E-Business." - "A workshop designed for technical and business managers will show companies of all sizes how they can jump-start their use of the new eXtensible Markup Language (XML) to make enhanced electronic business systems work for them. The workshop runs Wednesday and Thursday, July 14-15, 1999 in Chicago. David R.R. Webber, a principal of Gnosis Inc. and one of the founders of the XML/EDI Group, will present the course. Webber has lectured widely on XML and eBusiness in the US, Europe and Asia. He has authored numerous articles published in both the technical and popular computing press. XML, as the latest development from the World Wide Web Consortium, is at the core of new product capabilities from Oracle, Microsoft, Sun, Netscape and mainstream Web development tools such as ColdFusion. XML steps past the limitations inherent in the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) used on most Web sites today." See the Web site for details. [local archive copy]

• [June 12, 1999] "Innovision to Demonstrate Powerful Web Top Portal Application At JavaOne and SIA Exhibits." - "Innovision Corporation will exhibit a powerful demonstration of XML Protocol (XP) Technology next week at Sun's annual JavaOne Conference in San Francisco and Securities Industry Association's (SIA) annual Technology Management Conference in New York. The application, built with Innovision components, will demonstrate how easily enterprises can use XML technologies to weave new, more powerful applications for the Web or embedded devices."

• [June 12, 1999] "Bowstreet Endorses RosettaNet's eConcert Initiative. Bowstreet Solutions Enable Companies to Meet RosettaNet's Commitment to Implement eBusiness for the IT Industry." - " Bow Street Software Inc., a leader in providing eBusiness solutions for Internet Channel Management, today announced it will support RosettaNet's eConcert initiative and solutions to enable companies to integrate RosettaNet capabilities into eBusiness developments. Bowstreet 's solutions are based on its unique Web Services Architecture that uses two cutting-edge technologies: directory services and the Extensible Markup Language (XML). By integrating these two technologies, Bowstreet provides the first eBusiness platform for creating, deploying and managing thousands of highly customized Internet-based channel relationships over extranets - on the fly and with minimal programming."

• [June 12, 1999] "Agile Software Collaborates on First RosettaNet Production Application. Standards-Based Information Exchange Powers B2B Opportunities." - "The full potential of supply chain Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce remains largely untapped and elusive, hampered by a lack of standards in business communications. In response, RosettaNet, the global initiative to adopt and deploy open and common business interfaces, is developing a groundbreaking Product Catalog Update Partner Interface Process (PIP) for the supply chain. The Catalog Update PIP is being developed by Ingram Micro, Inc., Solectron Corporation, Extricity Software, Inc., and leading supplier of product change collaboration (PC2) solutions for the electronic supply chain, Agile Software Corporation. Agile is a RosettaNet Architect Partner, and will be in attendance at RosettaNet's eConcert Announcement event in Palo Alto, California today. Today's supply chain lacks a common format for referring to critical product content like part numbers. The RosettaNet Catalog Update PIP uses the Internet's eXtensible Markup Language (XML) to enable companies to realize the power of B2B commerce."

• [June 12, 1999] "Sterling Commerce Endorses RosettaNet's eConcert. E-Commerce Leader Provides XML Support to Worldwide Consortium." - "Sterling Commerce, Inc. today announced its support of RosettaNet's launch of eConcert, a phased implementation of partner-to-partner E-commerce. Sterling Commerce will work in conjunction with RosettaNet to provide the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) support required to fulfill the commitment of eConcert, which sets initiation of labs testing, pilots and live production implementations to begin February 2000. Sterling Commerce will provide the expertise to implement XML-supported solutions. This effort reinforces the Sterling Commerce Business Process Integration (BPI) initiative, which focuses on the integration of distributed business processes through the electronic exchange and management of information within and between enterprises. As announced last month, Sterling Commerce, via its GENTRAN product family, supports both XML and traditional EDI standards with its data transformation engine. This support will co-exist in the same mapping and translation components that provide support for global EDI standards and proprietary message formats."

• [June 11, 1999] "Sun-Netscape Alliance Expands Plans for Integrating XML Into E-Commerce Applications and Services. Alliance's Continued Support for RosettaNet Will Help Enable Collaborative Business Processes for E-Commerce." - "Furthering its commitment to providing e-commerce applications and services that leverage the strengths of XML, the Sun-Netscape Alliance today reaffirmed its support for the RosettaNet consortium and other key organizations including CommerceNet, XML.org or OASIS that are helping to define the industry's XML standards for business-to-business electronic commerce processes. The Alliance also described its plan to integrate XML support across its family of e-commerce applications for commerce exchange, online procurement, online selling and online bill presentment and payment. In a related announcement, RosettaNet announced its commitment to providing an XML standard for live product implementations by February 2, 2000. The Sun-Netscape Alliance, which has executive representation in the consortium, is supporting this timeline and has agreed to collaborate with the other RosettaNet board members to align business processes to support the organization's XML standard."

• [June 11, 1999] "IBM Begins Opening Source for AlphaBeans." - "Based on customer demand, a subset of IBM's award-winning alphaBeans are now available with source code. Developers who download these free bean packages automatically join the alphaBeans global development team and become members of the "alphaBeans with Source" community. Community members can modify alphaBeans source to include the changes they need for their applications, and then submit those changes to IBM to make their contributions available to the entire community."

• [June 11, 1999] "IBM Introduces Web Intermediaries. A Powerful New Class of Web Applications." - "Aiming to give Web developers and users more control over the flow and customization of web data, IBM has released a free Java-based software toolkit that enables a powerful new class of applications known as web intermediaries. Intermediaries can monitor and modify the flow of web data between clients, servers and proxies. For example, they can produce personalized content, seamlessly connect local and remote information on the web, route web traffic, translate protocols or translate document formats. IBM's Web Intermediary (WBI) Developer Kit for Java, which can be downloaded free of charge from IBM's alphaWorks web site, provides a flexible but highly functional framework for creating intermediary applications. . . [XML/XSL] -- Transcoding intermediaries convert data from one format to another, which is especially useful when the file/data format coming from the Web server is not supported by the browser of, say, a personal digital assistant. This program uses the XSL (eXtensible Stylesheet Language) to convert XML (eXtensible Markup Language) data into HTML, which can be displayed using a web browser."

• [June 10, 1999] "IT Industry Companies Line Up to Form Partnerships for eConcert Piloting of Business Processes to Align Supply Chain." - "There was no shortage of volunteers when the call went out for participants in eConcert -- the implementation phase of RosettaNet, the most advanced partner-to-partner e-business initiative ever undertaken. In an initiative that will define supply chain transactions using between 75 and 100 standard XML-based partner interface processes (PIPs), or computer-to-computer dialogs, 15 companies have committed resources to four-to-six-month pilot programs that will test processes for updating catalogs and purchasing products. The announcement Thursday by RosettaNet -- the IT industry consortium comprised of manufacturers, software publishers, distributors, resellers, integrators and end users -- involves implementation of nine PIPs that will eventually comprise e-business production systems. The selected implementers have formed partnerships of two to six companies to begin pilot implementations. These early adopters recognize the value that RosettaNet's standards bring for themselves, RosettaNet members and every other company in the IT supply chain. Eventually, the entire industry will have the opportunity to take advantage of RosettaNet PIPs, each company in its own timeframe, according to Fadi Chehade, RosettaNet president and CEO. In addition to implementing PIPs to align their business processes, each of the eConcert participants have committed to encourage and assist all of their other key supply chain partners to get ready for the production system rollout in February of next year. eConcert will come to fruition on Feb. 2, 2000, when all the eConcert member companies will use PIPs in their everyday production routines. The RosettaNet Managing Board now consists of 34 CEOs, CIOs and executives representing global members of the IT supply chain." See the RosettaNet June 10, 1999 press event backgrounder and associated documents. More than 25 company press releases accompanied the RosettaNet media event.

• [June 10, 1999] "webMethods Announces Readiness to Implement RosettaNet's Global Supply Chain Architecture. Company to Deliver RosettaNet Implementation by February, 2000. webMethods' Expertise in XML Integration To Improve Processes Between Trading Partners." - "webMethods today announced its readiness to implement a live production application based on the RosettaNet framework, an initiative to establish global PC supply chain standards, by February, 2000. RosettaNet's initiative, code-named eConcert, is currently in the pilot phase of pre-production partner-to-partner interface scenarios. In June 1998, webMethods was the first business-to-business integration vendor with XML-based products to join RosettaNet as an architect partner.. . RosettaNet is defining and leading the implementation of open and common processes designed to align the electronic business interfaces between IT supply chain partners. RosettaNet's 34 board member companies generate more than half of the PC sector's $7 billion annual revenues."

• [June 10, 1999] "GE Information Services Successfully Implementing RosettaNet XML Pilot Program. Arrow Electronics and NEC Technologies Working Alongside E-Commerce Leader to Utilize New Technologies Within RosettaNet Partner Interface Process Pilot." - "Today, at the RosettaNet board meeting, GE Information Services announced that they are implementing XML technologies in a Partner Interface Process (PIP) pilot program with RosettaNet colleagues, Arrow Electronics, Inc. and NEC Technologies. GE Information Services, Arrow Electronics and NEC Technologies are among the first companies to be implementing a purchase order PIP pilot within the RosettaNet framework. As a continuation of the program, GE has recently delivered a pilot version of their translation software, EDI Application Integrator, with XML extensions. A RosettaNet PIP is a specification using XML designed to align a specific business process between trading partners. The purchase order PIP (PIP3A1) provides a mechanism for creating, cancelling and exchanging a purchase order between various business partners. Arrow Electronics and NEC Technologies joined GE Information Services in the pilot program because of their interest to exchange business information using the XML specifications as defined by RosettaNet."

• [June 10, 1999] "Extricity Software Demonstrates First Successful Customer Implementation of Rosettanet E-Business Standards. Ingram Micro and Solectron Use Extricity AllianceSeries Products to Bring RosettaNet eConcert Initiative to Life." - "Support of the open, eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based RosettaNet standards adds yet another way in which members of trading partner communities can integrate their business processes and systems using the Extricity AllianceSeries family of products. The Extricity AllianceSeries family already allows business users to define interactions with their trading partners via shared processes based on XML, via web-based interactions, as well as a wide variety of basic data exchange methods, including electronic data interchange (EDI), file transfer protocol (FTP), and simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP)."

• [June 10, 1999] "Media Design in*Progress Ships Emilé 1.0 XML Editor for Macintosh." - "Media Design in*Progress today ships Emilé 1.0, the first XML editor for Macintosh. Emilé is the commercial edition of the free Emilé Lite XML editor that was released in April. Emilé is a highly customizable XML editor that supports productive markup with XML, liberating the author from detailed knowledge of the XML specification by providing context-sensitive dialogs and menus listing allowed tags and common markup constructs. The editor automatically adapts the user interface to the current document type (DTD), and comes with a validator to ensure correct markup."

• [June 09, 1999] "RosettaNet Launches First-Ever Technical Dictionary for Unified E-Commerce Language. MicroAge, Ingram Micro, pcOrder and Tech Data First to Commit to Adopt for Their Own Catalog Databases." - "RosettaNet today announced the availability of the first-ever electronic technical dictionary to provide a common business language that will link an entire industry's supply chain business processes. Under a continuing mandate from a consortium of major information technology enterprises, RosettaNet spearheaded the development of the dictionary, which was designed by and for the IT industry to standardize data required for supply chain business processes. The RosettaNet dictionary is a major element in a fast-track project to build business process interoperability into a fully automated electronic business "infostructure" that links manufacturers, software publishers, resellers, wholesale distributors, end users, financiers, carriers and e-business technologists. Containing approximately 3,600 words, the data dictionary describes technical specifications for a wide range of IT products. . . the dictionary's hierarchical structure is far more than a compendium of words and meanings. Layers within layers of descriptive fields refer to product type, multiple specifications and their definitions, terms to explain dimensions and their units, and a value domain field for listing model variations. Another key aspect of the RosettaNet dictionary is providing a precise language that enables fast and economical machine-to-machine translation of the words into foreign languages. This flexibility, which Chehade characterizes as essential to RosettaNet's overall mission to globalize the IT supply chain's business processes, promotes international, multilingual e-business initiatives that cross all geographic boundaries. Businesses can now understand each other and seamlessly integrate their business transactions."[local archive copy]

• [June 09, 1999] "Blue Angel Wins Contract to Web-Enable Texas State Library. MetaStar Enterprise Provides Advanced XML-based Internet Information Solution." - "Under the contract, Blue Angel's MetaStar Enterprise suite of products will be used to provide a broad range of Internet information services to state taxpayers. Included are harvesting Web-based documents from 280 state agency servers, storing agency records in a relational database, generating on-the-fly HTML from user-customized templates and providing advanced search and retrieval capabilities for taxpayers. . . a move that plays into Blue Angel's strength of providing advanced, XML-based information solutions."

• [June 09, 1999] "ICE News: Protocol Updated, Author Group Expands, New Seminars Planned." - "he Information and Content Exchange (ICE) Protocol Authoring Group, creators of the specification for syndicating content on the World Wide Web, released a new editorial update of its award-winning standard. ICE also announced two new companies joining the authoring group, Reuters New Media Inc. and ShiftKey Inc., and its next two ICE Summit seminars. The ICE authoring group approved the updated protocol and addition of the two new companies at its May 1999 meeting. ICE, a special membership organization of Graphic Communications Association (GCA) Research Institute, now has 10 companies in its authoring group. Laird Popkin, chief technical officer of Sothebys.Com and chair of the ICE authoring group said, 'The May revision tightens the language in ICE and improves consistency between the document type definition (DTD) -- the core of the specification -- and various examples presented in the text.' Popkin added, 'The update makes no changes in the DTD however, so the standard remains completely stable from before'." See Information and Content Exchange (ICE) Protocol." [local archive copy]

• [June 09, 1999] "J.P. Morgan, PricewaterhouseCoopers Propose FpML, a New E-commerce Standard - Financial Products Markup Language Handles FX and Fixed Income Derivatives." - "J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP todaynounced the release of FpML (Financial Products Markup Language), a new protocol for Internet-based electronic dealing and information sharing of financial derivatives, initially handling interest rate and foreign exchange products. The specification, which will be freely licensed, is expected to set the standard within these industries for the rapidly growing field of business-to-business electronic commerce. Based on XML, the emerging Internet standard for data-sharing between applications, FpML enables Internet-based integration of a range of services, from electronic trading and confirmations to portfolio specification for risk analysis." See also: "Financial Products Markup Language (FpML)."

• [June 08, 1999] Sun to Implement Web-Based Enterprise Management Standards in Solaris Operating Environment. Industry Leaders Applaud Sun's Embrace of Emerging WBEM Standards." - "Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced today Solaris WBEM Services, the company's implementation of the emerging Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM) standards, for the Solaris operating environment. Solaris WBEM Services software enables IT managers to create and modify system information stored in a standard format, the Common Information Model (CIM). This software eases the administration of the Solaris Operating Environment and provides for management software interoperability. . . Sun continues to be an active board member of the DMTF and participates in several working groups. As part of the DMTF's Technical Development Committee and its sub-committees, Sun has made significant contributions to such standards and specifications as Desktop Management Interface, CIM and the XML Encoding Specification for CIM." For further information, see: "DMTF Common Information Model (CIM)." See also "Sun Adopts WBEM, and Provides the Active Ingredient with Java Technology." [announcement from Sun site]

• [June 08, 1999] "Keyfile Corporation Supports Microsoft Office 2000 With Keyflow Commerce to Provide Business Process Automation." - "Keyfile's Keyflow Commerce leverages leading edge XML technology to provide Microsoft Office 2000 customers a set of solutions to manage and automate business processes via the Web, including e-commerce applications, supply-chain operations, enterprise processes or departmental procedures. . . The Keyflow Commerce XML Engine is a forms server and communications facility that connects XML-based forms and user interfaces to the Workflow Server and Active Document Workspace. Using the XML Engine in combination with the XML Forms Designer, browser-based XML forms become an effective and highly portable front-end application that can be used on local or remote client workstations. This component of Keyflow Commerce is scheduled for shipment later this year."

• [June 08, 1999] "Bluestone Seeds XML Market With 3,000 Free Copies of Bluestone Visual-XML at JavaOne. General Availability of Easy-to-Use Development Tool Drives XML Adoption by Developers, Database Programmers, and Other Business Users Needing Fast, Efficient Data and Application Integration." - "Bluestone Software, Inc., a performance leader in Enterprise Interaction Management, today followed through on plans to make its Bluestone XML Suite pervasive by announcing the giveaway of 3,000 copies of Bluestone Visual-XML, an approachable and easy-to-use toolkit for building XML applications. Available today, Bluestone Visual-XML is an easy-to-use, pure Java development tool that makes use of a straightforward graphical user interface, drag-and-drop capabilities, and Mentor, Bluestone's advanced interactive navigation and help facility to simplify development of dynamic XML applications. Consequently, Bluestone Visual-XML is poised to drive XML adoption beyond traditional application developers and into the ranks of database programmers and other business users who need fast, efficient data integration, e-commerce, electronic data interchange, and supply chain management applications."

• [June 08, 1999] "Dow Jones Interactive Next-Generation Server Software Eases Integration of Global News and Business Information Into Corporate Intranets." - "Dow Jones & Company announced today that its next-generation intranet Server Software enables companies to easily integrate news and information from Dow Jones Interactive into their workspace. Building on capabilities introduced last year, Dow Jones continues to provide cutting-edge technology that eases and advances the intranet development process by eliminating costly and time-consuming production and administrative tasks. Dow Jones technology experts have written a server-based application that processes XML-formatted articles. The end result is a highly organized content set ready-made for intranet access."

• [June 08, 1999] "Quintessent Releases Industry-first XML Based Message Adapters and XML Editing Suite for OSS Interconnection. Quintessent's XML Components Provide Data Transfer and Interface Design Features to Enable Back-Office Tele.Commerce." - "Quintessent Cmmunicatrions announced today the availability of the industry's first eXtensible Markup Language (XML) based Message Adapters. These XML based Message Adapters, together with the QConnect Platform and a suite of Interconnect Applications, provide the first Tele.Commerce solution for telecommunications back-office electronic commerce. Quintessent also announced the release of QConnect Studio, an XML based tool-set that efficiently modifies Quintessent's off-the-shelf Message Adapters to meet the changing requirements of trading partners. QConnect Studio, a XML based tool-set, lets carriers configure Message Adapters to define information structures and map information from one data structure to another, such as from Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) to Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), CORBA to XML, EDI to XML and Mechanized Specifications to XML. In addition, QConnect Studio enables carriers to more flexibly and rapidly address changes to trading partner business rules through efficient modification of Message Adapter data formats and content validations. Carriers repeatedly leverage the value of QConnect Studio, as rapidly changing interface agreements require them to quickly adjust data mapping and data validation processes. . ."

• [June 08, 1999] "DataChannel's XML-based Enterprise Information Portal Supports Microsoft Office 2000 Web Capabilities. Commitment to Open Web Standards Enables New Web-Based Solutions." - "DataChannel today announced that DataChannel RIO, their Enterprise Information Portal (EIP) solution software, supports Microsoft's Office 2000 Web integration capabilities. By supporting Web standards such as XML, WebDAV, and Java in DataChannel RIO, Microsoft Office 2000 can be used to improve enterprise workgroup collaboration across standard Web protocols. DataChannel RIO, DataChannel's solutions software, incorporates server-side XML and the WebDAV specification. This gives customers additional ways to share Microsoft Office 2000 documents across platforms. . "

• [June 08, 1999] "Leading E-Commerce Solutions Provider, i3solutions, Will Implement Sequoia's XML-Based Interactive Portal Application." - "Sequoia Software Corporation today announced that it has signed a strategic reseller agreement with i3solutions, inc., a leading provider of e-business software and consulting services, based in Dulles, Va. The agreement takes effect immediately and enables i3 to develop a range of e-business solutions using Interchange2000, Sequoia's XML-based, interactive portal application. Using XML, Interchange2000 integrates disparate applications and data giving users a personalized, unified view of available information resources. Interchange2000 also lets users easily and accurately search for, share, and modify information, and then use this existing information to create and share new information objects (data) on the fly."

• [June 08, 1999] "VSI Announces Breeze Commerce Studio. Fax Leader First to Offer Broad Commerce Solution to Burgeoning E-Business Market." - "VSI (V-Systems, Inc.), a company dedicated to Bridging the Gap between Business and E-Business, Tuesday announced the launch of its new broad e-commerce initiative, Breeze Commerce Studio. Breeze Commerce Studio is an XML visual toolkit for building e-business applications that enables broad e-commerce automation for corporations of all sizes. By establishing a framework for communicating XML via the Web, e-mail, and fax, Breeze brings together companies and enterprise workgroups with disparate applications and network environments under the umbrella of a common method for sharing information."

• [June 07, 1999] "Relativity Technologies Releases Industry's Most Advanced E-Legacy Solution. RescueWare 5.0 Jump Starts 'Next Wave' of E-Business Enablement Technology." _ "Relativity announced RescueWare 5.0, the industry's most advanced legacy to e-business solution for transforming core business processes. RescueWare 5.0 features enhanced functionality for legacy system integration into the architecture of e-business, including XML Support -- Pioneering representations of legacy information system content in Exensible Markup Language (XML) and the specification of business data in industry specific XML implementations such as Financial Information Exchange Protocol (FIX)."

• [June 07, 1999] "X-Collaboration Software Corp. To Offer Enhanced, Web-Powered Document-Sharing Capabilities To Microsoft Office 2000 Users. Microsoft's Launch of Office 2000 Supported By XML-Based X-Collaboration.com Solution." - "With the official unveiling today of Microsoft Office 2000 business productivity software suite, X-Collaboration Software Corporation (XCSC) -- a start-up innovator of XML business collaboration products -- announced that its X-Collaboration.com solution provides a fully-supported business collaboration service for Microsoft Office 2000 users wishing to manage the work of distributed intra- and inter-company workgroups via the Internet. X-Collaboration.com is fully compatible with Microsoft Office 2000's use of XML and Microsoft Exchange. In addition, X-Collaboration.com runs on Microsoft Windows NT and Microsoft SQL Server 7.0, and supports Microsoft Internet Explorer and all existing Windows-based applications and e-mail packages." [local archive copy]

• [June 07, 1999] "Consortium Formed to Develop Law Firm Electronic Billing Standards. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP Joins Non-Profit Advisory Board." - "With the goal of establishing a standard format to facilitate electronic billing and payments between law firms and clients, the formation of a non-profit Oversight Committee (LOC) for the Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standard (LEDES) has been announced. Representatives of 18 key legal industry participants, including law firms, law departments, software and services vendors, industry trade groups, and consultants endorsed in May the widespread use of the LEDES standard in the legal industry. The LEDES standard currently utilizes an ASCII format and is confined to electronic invoices. An XML version is planned."

• [June 04, 1999] "Major XML Users, Boeing and Sabre, Sponsor OASIS." - "OASIS, the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards, welcomed major XML users, The Boeing Company and Sabre, as new sponsors of the international XML Consortium. These new members signify the expanding XML marketplace and are the most recent additions to OASIS' growing population of user members."

• [June 04, 1999] "SKYVA International to Showcase Industry's First Java-Based Supply Chain Framework at Inaugural e-Business Conference and Expo. SKYVA Solution Generates Supply Chain Software Directly from an Organization's Business Process Model." - "SKYVA International (formerly Camelot IS-2), a premier provider of business automation solutions, today announced that it will showcase the groundbreaking skyva Solution at the inaugural e-Business Conference and Expo, June 8-10 at the San Jose Convention Center. The skyva Solution, the industry's first Java-based supply chain framework, empowers users to generate supply chain software directly from their business process model. The skyva Solution, one of the largest mission critical software initiatives based on Java, also boasts several significant technical achievements, including the first UML-based code generator to generate XML-compliant software."

• [June 03, 1999] "Nokia Announces Cooperation With Technology Leaders Toward Development of WAP Based Products and Solutions. Nokia working with leading software developers, content providers and hardware manufacturers to develop Internet-based Value Added Services." - "Nokia brought a number of leading content providers, software and hardware developers together today at Nokia's third annual Wireless Data Conference, to announce cooperative activities focused on supporting Wireless Applications Protocol (WAP) and the growing demand for mobility. This reinforces Nokia's commitment to develop the wireless Internet and use of mobile devices such as smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), as well as to continue to provide new and innovative solutions to wireless customers. The Nokia Wireless Data Conference, unique in its kind, brings together key players in the industry, including wireless network operators, to meet, share ideas and discuss the opportunities in the market place using Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)." [local archive copy]

• [June 03, 1999] "Viasoft Launches XML Support for Rochade Repository. Enables Meta Data to be Leveraged as Major Information Asset." - "Viasoft Inc. announced Thursday support of the XML (eXtensible Markup Language) standard with the updated release of the Viasoft Rochade repository. This current release marks phase one of Viasoft's strategy to support the Open Information Model (OIM), and delivers the benefits of an open data exchange between Rochade, the Microsoft Repository and all other participating repository or tool vendors' products based on OIM. By moving beyond proprietary exchange formats to the XML standard, meta data information can be leveraged and shared across a large number of sources, including databases, languages, modeling tools, data extraction tools and business intelligence tools." See also: "Viasoft, Microsoft and XML."

• [June 03, 1999] "Auto-Graphics Inc. Integrates Frame+SGML With SGML Database Editorial System. Houghton Mifflin Company Purchases New Editorial and Composition System." - "Auto-Graphics, a leading provider of composition and electronic publishing services, has delivered the latest release of its integrated SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) database editorial and composition system to the dictionary group at Houghton Mifflin Company of Boston. T he Editorial System combines proven SGML technology with a powerful and flexible composition system, Frame+SGML from Adobe Systems. Auto-Graphics' SGML Database Editorial System was first introduced in 1989 to meet the specific needs of publishers who were looking for SGML systems that addressed the need to manage and develop products in a database environment. . ."

• [June 03, 1999] "MapQuest.com Joins WAP Forum. MapQuest.com Furthers Its Commitment to Wireless Application Protocol." - "MapQuest.com, Inc., a leader in advanced mapping systems, today announced its membership in the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Forum, demonstrating the Company's commitment to the continued development of products for the next generation of wireless devices. The WAP Forum represents a consortium of more than 100 companies, including industry giants such as Microsoft, AT&T Wireless, Nokia and Ericsson, focused on developing a world-wide standard for information and telephony services for wireless devices. . . he Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is the de-facto world standard for wireless information and telephony services on digital mobile phones and other wireless terminals. Handset manufacturers representing over 75% of the world market across all technologies have committed to shipping WAP-enabled devices. Carriers representing nearly 100 million subscribers worldwide have joined WAP. This commitment will provide tens of millions of WAP browser enabled products to consumers by the end of 2000. WAP allows carriers to strengthen their service offerings by providing subscribers with the information they want and need while on the go. The WAP Forum has published a global wireless protocol specification based on existing Internet standards such as XML and IP for all wireless networks. WAP Forum membership is open to all industry participants."

• [June 02, 1999] "Sun Unveils JavaServer Pages Technology. JavaServer Pages Technology Allows Developers to Build Dynamic, Cross-Platform Web-Based Applications." - "Sun Microsystems, Inc., today announced the immediate availability of JavaServer Pages technology, which for the first time allows Web page developers to easily build cross-platform, truly interactive Web sites. Harnessing the full power of the Java platform, JavaServer Pages technology separates the functions of content generation and page layout, providing developers with a simplified and more efficient way to create server-generated Web pages that combine content from a wide variety of enterprise data sources. The JavaServer Pages technology is based on Servlets. Servlets enable JavaServer Pages technology to provide Web application developers with a simple, consistent mechanism for extending and customizing Web server functionality. JavaServer Pages technology also integrates easily with Enterprise JavaBeans architecture-based technology to access transaction systems and enable re-usable, cross-platform capabilities using CORBA and XML. Developed in collaboration with industry leaders in the enterprise software and tools markets, the JavaServer Pages technology is available for free download beginning today." See the main information page.

• [June 02, 1999] "Bluestone Embraces JavaServer Pages and Java Servlets With Sapphire/Web Release 6.1 Application Server Platform. Sapphire/Web Provides Distributed JavaServer Pages, JSP, and Servlet Platform." - "With Sapphire/Web Release 6.1, Bluestone reaffirms its commitment to delivering a state-of-the-art application server platform by supporting the JavaServer Pages (JSP) 1.0 specification and the Java Servlet API, the two new key components of Sun's Enterprise Java technologies announced today by Sun Microsystems Inc. In addition to the Load Balance Broker architecture, Sapphire/Web's proven Customer-Facing Fault Tolerance can assure Web developers the highest level of reliability. Sapphire/Web's Load Balance Broker can be deployed as a Java Servlet itself within a Web server farm, or even as an ISAPI or NSAPI within Microsoft or Netscape Web servers to balance the load across any number of application server boxes hosting the Java Servlet or JSP applications. In addition, Sapphire/Web's Load Balance Broker can take Java Servlet and JSP applications into non-browser based applications by deployment as a JavaBean or Enterprise JavaBean. In conjunction with Bluestone's XML-Server, this new capability offers a completely open platform for developers."

• [June 02, 1999] "InfoSpinner Announces Enterprise XML Availability for ForeSite Application Server 3.0. New XML Capabilities Give ForeSite the Ability to Support Business Information Exchange Between Any Back-End Systems." - "InfoSpinner, the premier developer of enterprise-class application server technology, today announced the availability of Enterprise XML in the ForeSite Application Server version 3.0. Enterprise XML enables the creation of composite XML from multiple non- integrated data and applications across the enterprise. ForeSite dramatically accelerates the process of building complex, high-value, integrated applications that can be used for business information exchange. Enterprise XML includes the JIF, a collection of JavaBeans that consume XML from enterprise systems. The powerful JIF enables users to quickly and easily move Enterprise XML documents between servers or build sophisticated user interfaces by creating controls such as text fields, list boxes, drop down boxes and text areas in Java-based applications. The JIF is fully compatible with all Java IDE's that support Java Beans."

• [June 02, 1999] "Singapore Telecom and Commerce One to Establish Asia's Business-to-business E-commerce Portal. Strategic Alliance Advances SingTel's E-Commerce Strategy and Provides Asia a Gateway into the Global E-Commerce Marketplace." - "Singapore Telecom (SingTel) and Commerce One, the US-based company specializing in business-to-business electronic commerce solutions, today announced a partnership to offer Asia's full service business-to-business electronic commerce (B-to-B e-commerce) marketplace for goods and services, and bring Asian traders onto the global e-commerce platform. 'In addition to automating internal procurement processes, NCS will enable real-time connections to our regional business-to-business e-commerce portal. Operated by NCS, the portal will provide an open, XML-based marketplace to service large, medium and small businesses across every industry,' said BG Lee Hsien Yang."

• [June 02, 1999] "Data General Elevates Enterprise Management Strategy With Launch Of DG/ManageSuite. Enterprise Management Suite Unifies Server Management, Storage Management and System Diagnostics." - "Data General Corporation today introduced DG/ManageSuite, a complete package of open enterprise management solutions for Data General AViiON Enterprise Servers and CLARiiON advanced storage solutions. DG/ManageSuite offers customers leading edge enterprise management software that adopts emerging industry standards such as Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), based on the Common Information Model (CIM), and Microsoft Management Console (MMC). The suite offers greater flexibility for management in both stand-alone environments and within third-party enterprise management frameworks." See: "DMTF Common Information Model (CIM)."

• [June 01, 1999] "Documentum Delivers its Next-Generation Platform for Corporate Portals. Documentum 4i manages both business know-how and content." - "Documentum, Inc. today announced the delivery of Documentum 4i, the first Web application platform designed to dynamically manage all facets of content creation and delivery for both corporate and e-business portals. Utilizing the latest developments in XML content and process integration, Documentum 4i provides the first platform for rapid development and deployment of globally distributed portals by Documentum, its partners and customers."

• [May 28, 1999] "The Unstoppable Economic Tidal Wave: How the Internet Continues to Shatter the World's Fundamental Business Paradigms. Deloitte Research study envisions a new age of price wars, the disappearance of money, a solution to the language barrier and a queue system for the 'world wide wait'." - "Breaking the Language Barrier: The study also shows that another solution to the growing Internet traffic jam is a shift in programming language from the popular-but-cumbersome HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) to XML (Extensible Markup Language). This next-generation Internet language, already being employed by major companies like Oracle, separates important data from the graphics format, allowing buyers and sellers to complete transactions much faster. This change will also produce a number of other improvements, such as enabling the Web-page display to be adapted to the capabilities of the device (i.e., wireless phone, laptop, desktop); real-time updates to vendor data, such as pricing and product availability; and improved effectiveness of both search engines and shop bots. It also sets the stage for implementing the first standardized system for processing financial transactions such as billing over the Internet."

• [May 26, 1999] "XMetaL 1.0 Now Shipping - Setting the Standard for XML Content Creation." - "XMetaL is an advanced, simple to deploy XML authoring tool that delivers unprecedented ease of use to customers working with XML and SGML. Modeled on common word processing applications, it offers a familiar, easy-to-use, authoring environment that virtually eliminates unnecessary learning curves and training costs. By easily creating XML content, XMetaL eliminates the need to convert documents authored in traditional word processors, streamlines the publishing process and substantially reduces conversion expenses. XMetaL's extensive customization features enable the authoring environment to be optimized for any DTD, in many instances without programming. Its COM-based architecture and support for any Windows scripting language ensure that XMetaL can be extended and integrated into any existing publishing infrastructure. Its comprehensive support of SGML and web technologies makes XMetaL the ideal tool for any hybrid SGML/XML environment. Content creators will benefit from XMetaL's ease of use and IT professionals will appreciate its simple deployment capabilities. XMetaL is ideal for creating content for technical publications, knowledge management, on-line publishing or any other application that benefits from XML." See the "XMetaL Features" document for further description.

• [May 26, 1999] "Vervet Logic Announces the Release of XML Pro v2.0."Vervet Logic today announced the release of XML Pro v2.0, the next version of the popular eXtensible Markup Language editor. XML Pro v2.0 includes a number of new features, including Drag and Drop, Undo, and integration of the IBM XML 4J Parser. XML Pro v2.0 features the IBM XML4J parser, offering solid support for the W3C Document Object Model and the SAX interface. Using the IBM parser, XML Pro integrates well with customized XML solutions for the enterprise. Try the demo. The upgraded version is available via the Vervet website at www.vervet.com, and registered users of XML Pro are invited to upgrade from v1.2 free of charge. Priced at an attractive US$174.95 on CD-ROM and $149.95 for download, XML Pro v2.0 offers the same clean, easy to use interface as previous versions, and includes a host of new features. The XML Pro editor will continue to be offered in a product bundle with Microstar's Near & Far Designer, to provide robust DTD editing for a complete XML solution."

• [May 26, 1999] "CardoNet Offers First Look At Its Web-based Catalog Content Management Solution. CardoNet Co-Sponsors First Conference on Net Market Makers and Online Marketplaces." - "CardoNet has unveiled MarketStand - the first Web-based catalog content management solution enabling online market makers to rapidly grow their businesses by quickly and painlessly integrating suppliers. MarketStand streamlines the market maker's time to market, by automatically publishing product information in XML, and by combining both 'push' and 'pull' e-commerce systems. MarketStand is a cross-platform solution that does not require proprietary technologies to trade supplier information. MarketStand generates a supplier's integrated catalog by automatically creating an XML document containing supplier information. The XML documents produced from suppliers' data sources are delivered to the market maker's site according to a pre-defined schedule determined by the suppliers (e.g., weekly, daily, every Monday, or even every 15 minutes). Only changes in product information are delivered over the Internet, thus reducing network overhead and minimizing system usage. The delivery mechanism fully conforms to the ICE content delivery and exchange protocol." See also CardoNet featured on the Ontology.Org Web site.

• [May 26, 1999] "webMethods Demonstrates First Cross-Platform XML Support for BizTalk Framework. Prototype Demonstrates Interoperability for Trading Partners Across Different Systems." - "The prototype being demonstrated highlights the use of the BizTalk Framework for exchange of business documents between trading partners running business applications on different operating systems, including UNIX and Microsoft Windows 2000. The demonstration features XML-based data exchange between a preliminary build of the Microsoft BizTalk Server and the webMethods B2B product, and shows exchange of product data and purchase orders in a typical supply chain application."

• [May 26, 1999] "Arbortext Holds Online 'XML for Real' Seminar for Business End Users." - "XML solutions pioneer Arbortext, Inc. today announced an online seminar to be held May 26 [1999] to show businesses how XML-based e-Content management software can help them manage their vital business information, reducing costs and accelerating time-to-market for their core products and services. The seminar will feature chat sessions with industry-renowned XML experts who can answer questions and give examples of how XML solutions applied in a business environment provide significant return on investment. The seminar will also include a product walkthrough of Epic, Arbortext's XML-based e- Content management software, and two separate tracks on XML: An XML Lite track, and an XML in-depth track." See the Arbortext web site.

• [May 26, 1999] "Open eBook Authoring Group Completes Draft Recommendation for New Electronic Book Publication Standard. Publishers, Software Manufacturers and eBook Pioneers Pave Way for More Electronic Titles With Draft Recommendation for New International Standard." - "In a step that will accelerate availability of electronic book content, the Open eBook Authoring Group yesterday announced the completion of a draft recommendation of the Open eBook 1.0 Specification, which defines the format that content takes when it is converted from print to electronic form. After seven months of work, the Open eBook Authoring Group, which consists of publishers, eBook pioneers and other software and hardware firms, completed work on the standard, basing it on the same HTML and XML specifications that define the World Wide Web. 'Common standards are essential to support this emerging industry, and the XML approach is key, aligning Open eBook with other emerging standards and positioning it to support increasing functionality, interoperability and extensibility,' said Allen Renear, director of the Brown University-affiliated Scholarly Technology Group and a key contributor to the draft specification. 'And I am pleased that Open eBook has made a solid commitment to supporting internationalization and accessibility'." See the Open eBook Initiative and the web site for the next workshop. See also "Open eBook Initiative."

• [May 26, 1999] "Microsoft's Call for an Open eBook Standard Sees Major Milestone As Draft Specification Is Submitted for Final Approval. Microsoft Rallies Wide Range of Industries to Develop Standard That Will Help Launch the eBook Industry." - "The Open eBook initiative was proposed in October 1998 by Microsoft Vice President for Emerging Technology Dick Brass in his keynote speech at the world's first eBook conference in Gaithersburg, Md. At the conference, sponsored by the National Institutes of Standards and Technologies (NIST), Brass argued for an open, nonproprietary standard for eBooks. The standard, based on the HTML and Extensible Markup Language (XML) specifications that define the World Wide Web, outlines the format for books and other traditionally printed material so that they can be converted from print to digital form. The Open eBook standard version 1.0 was presented Monday by its authors to more than 50 representatives of the broader Open eBook organization. The organization includes major publishers, eBook pioneers, and software and hardware manufacturers, as well as book distributors and retailers."

• [May 26, 1999] "webMethods Joins Acord in Support of XML Standards Initiative for the Insurance Industry. WebMethods Commits to Supporting ACORD Standards for Interoperable Business Systems." - "WebMethods announced that the company has joined ACORD, a non-profit industry association dedicated to developing open standards for interoperable insurance systems. webMethods will be building upon partnerships with existing customers and working with other ACORD members to accelerate the adoption of XML in the Insurance Industry. As the adoption of XML-based standards continues to accelerate, webMethods B2B ensures the development of open trading communities across multiple industries as it supports all existing business-to-business initiatives and XML standards including ACORD, OBI, Microsoft BizTalk, Commerce XML (cXML) and RosettaNet."

• [May 26, 1999] "DataChannel Supports OASIS Initiative, XML.ORG, to Build Open Industry XML Schema Registry and Repository. DataChannel to assist in the development of industry portal for XML Interoperability." - "DataChannel, Inc., a leader in Enterprise XML Information Solutions, announced today at XMLOne that they will be an active participant in the OASIS initiative to develop a specification for a distributed open industry registry and repository. XML.ORG intends to build a public access portal that will play a critical role in enabling the rapid development and adoption of XML applications for electronic commerce and business-to-business transactions. The DataChannel XML Framework will directly support OASIS' specifications for XML-based application interoperability. The DataChannel XML Framework helps developers make the most of XML with a comprehensive portfolio of architectural design and consulting integration services, as well as tools, solution software, and extensive maintenance and support offerings."

• [May 26, 1999] "webMethods Announces Major Customer Wins for Its XML-Based Business-to-Business E-Commerce Solutions. Recent Deals Include Lexmark, Telstra, Premier, NEC Systems and ChannelPoint." - "webMethods, Inc. has further solidified its leadership position in the market for XML-based business-to-business e-commerce and integration solutions today by announcing major customer wins including Lexmark, Telstra, Premier, Inc., NEC Systems and ChannelPoint, Inc. webMethods has added dozens of new companies to its rapidly growing customer base, firmly positioning webMethods and XML as the de facto technologies used by Global 2000 companies to enable mission-critical business-to-business integration."

• [May 26, 1999] "Miva Corporation's XML-based Miva Script Available Free of Charge to More Than 350,000 Virtual Domains. Access to Scripting Language Available From Over 250 Web Hosting Companies." - "Miva Corporation, a leading provider of Web commerce software, today announced that more than 350,000 virtual domains have free access to Miva Script, the company's cross-platform, XML-based server side scripting language. Available from more than 250 Web hosting organizations worldwide, Miva Script enables individuals to create customized electronic storefronts, data-driven Web sites and other Internet applications. To date, Miva Script has more than 30,000 registered users who are actively utilizing the scripting language to create highly-customized applications."