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XML Conversion and the GovernmentWhy XML?Information is the lifeblood of government and the public sector. The efficient production of information that can be reused, shared, and published via diverse media formats and in multiple languages is vital to smooth, streamlined operations - both locally and federally. Many government departments recognize that moving to an XML content infrastructure can dramatically improve the process of identifying, integrating, and processing information from widely dispersed systems and organizations. It is little wonder, then, that innumerable XML initiatives are under way at many government departments and agencies. Some government acts in the USA and Europe now suggest or even mandate its usage, including applications to the US Patent Office, SEC filings, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the US E-Government Act of 2002, and many more. The Challenges of Converting to XMLThe advantages of capturing information in XML can go beyond making existing processes more efficient and effective. But government materials, like those in most other industries, are often produced using a variety of tools and formats (e.g. word processors, desktop publishing applications, presentation software, etc.), from both modern and legacy applications. A major issue for content producers and suppliers is therefore the conversion of huge quantities of disparate source materials from their original proprietary formats into robust, accurate, usable XML. Until now, XML conversion has had to be either outsourced or undertaken in-house, either manually, or via scripting software. But when content is tagged by hand, either in-house or by a third party, it's easy to introduce errors into the conversion process. Significant post-conversion review and editing will generally be required before you can use your XML. Manual conversion is also extremely resource-intensive and can involve a lengthy turnaround time. Scripting solutions fare no better, and rely on rigid conformance to formatting styles in the original word processor document. However, human authors generally do not create documents in such a consistent manner, and low-quality XML output can result. Scripting software can also involve costly and lengthy custom programming for each type of document, and for each proprietary application that is used to create those documents. Thousands of XML initiatives are under way at hundreds of government departments and public sector organizations. If you're involved in any of them, or if you know that you will soon be implementing an XML-based infrastructure, it's time to talk to Exegenix. |
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