“IBM has built an XML specification that details a common
way for companies to define and execute business contracts over the
Web. Big Blue today submitted the specification–called the
Trading Partner Agreement Markup Language–to a nonprofit XML
consortium called Oasis, which is trying to create a uniform way
for businesses to use XML.
Although IBM’s new technology is important, analysts say IBM has
assembled just a small piece of the puzzle. The technology industry
needs to develop more standards before the use of XML becomes
commonplace. ‘It’s important because it highlights an area where a
great deal of work will have to be done if we are to achieve the
benefits of automated business-to-business commerce,’ Giga
Information Group analyst Phil Costa said.”
“IBM is hoping Oasis will make the specification a standard.
Oasis–which has more than 50 members, including Microsoft, Oracle,
and Sun Microsystems–is attempting to create a set of guidelines
for businesses to use XML to send data to each other.”