Permaculture Information Web

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lfl AT intrex.net>]

Interesting example of using XML to create shared data resources throughout 
the Web.
If market farming/gardening/sustainable ag data were made available in XML by 
many
existing websites PIW could integrate these resources into its database and 
make
specialized refined data available to market farmers.
LL
[nowhere near even novice level XML person but am gaining some understanding 
of how
it can be applied - we can thank Rich for proposing that we use this 
technology some time ago].
<>
<http://www.steel.org/xml/index.asp>

Steel Industry XML Project

Background
The steel industry uses a variety of transactions documents and formats in transmitting information among customers, outside processors, and 
internal steel company functions. Among these are purchase orders, tracking documents, shipping documents, and invoices, each of which 
contain terms used broadly and throughout the industry.

Several years ago, with the growing need to electronically transmit information, an increase in the variety of forms and terminology being 
used for EDI exchange resulted in the steel industry developing a standard using x.12. Rather than each company, customer group, or supply 
chain partner developing its own "language", the industry agreed on x.12 based standards that could be applied by all parties. These 
standards enabled a seamless, industry-wide set of forms, documents, and terminology that continues to serve the industry well.

The development of internet based marketplaces for steel and the likely rise in the number of transactions being processed over the internet 
forces the industry to once again develop standards or guidelines for document formats and terms. Further, the number of participants 
processing transactions over the internet will likely be far greater than the number of participants using EDI, making it that much more 
important for the industry to develop guidelines.

One technology for enabling the electronic communication of industry transactions over the internet is XML (extensible mark-up language). 
Many different non-steel groups are currently working on or monitoring standards development based on XML. Among them are customer groups 
such as AIAG and IT industry groups including OASIS and ebXML.

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Workgroup Objectives
The primary objective of the AISI XML Workgroup is to develop standardized XML terminology to be used throughout steel related transactions 
documents. The task to be completed involves the translation of existing x.12 based transaction documents to XML. This process will 
simultaneously create a Steel XML Glossary, which can then be used throughout the industry and by developers of internet based applications 
for the industry. The glossary will be posted to the website as it is developed.

The Workgroup is comprised of IT professionals from AISI’s member steel companies. If your company is a member of AISI and you would like to 
participate in this effort or if you would like additional information, please contact David Bell by e-mail at dbell AT steel.org.

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LL
--
L.F.London
lfl AT intrex.net
http://market-farming.com
Market Farming Forum
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/marketfarming