International XML Consortium Restructures Membership to Expand Access to XML Technical Work

Boston, MA, USA, July 8, 1999 -OASIS, the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards, announced the restructuring of its membership requirements, widely expanding access to its XML interoperability technical work. The non-profit consortium, which was previously open only to companies who use or provide products or services based on structured information standards such as XML, SGML and CGM, added new membership categories for individuals and associate XML industry groups. Interested parties may apply for membership online at www.oasis-open.org.

"This change is made in response to popular demand," explained Laura Walker, executive director of OASIS. "As interest in XML has skyrocketed, OASIS has been approached by many individuals who are anxious to contribute to the technical work of the consortium. We have also received many requests from industry groups working on developing XML schemas and vocabularies that want to take advantage of OASIS' open forum on interoperability issues."

"With corporate membership in OASIS at an all-time high, we felt it was a great time to expand the reach of our technical work to include individuals," commented Simon Nicholson (Chrystal Software), chairperson of the OASIS Board of Directors. "We look forward to the ideas and efforts these people will bring to our ongoing technical work including the XML.org Registry and Repository and the OASIS XML Conformance Test Suite."

OASIS membership levels now include Sponsors, Contributors, Individuals and Associates. Organizations participate in OASIS as either Sponsors or Contributors, based on the level of benefits they wish to receive. Sponsors, who take advantage of comprehensive technical and marketing benefits, support the consortium for 9500 USD annually. Contributors, who also benefit from OASIS marketing and technical work, pay 5000 USD (companies with ten or more employees) or 2500 USD (companies with fewer than ten employees).

The new Individual Membership, at 250 USD per year, is offered to those who wish to participate in OASIS technical activities. Like all members, Individuals have the right to attend all OASIS general meetings, and they can fully participate in all working groups. At this level, membership is on an individual basis and is not transferable to other individuals.

OASIS supports the development of XML specifications by offering an Associate Membership to individuals representing application or industry standards bodies. Associates, who pay 250 USD annually, are individuals appointed by an industry consortium or standards body (recognized as such by the OASIS Board of Directors) to represent the interests of that body in OASIS. Representatives enjoy the same rights and level of service as Individuals; the difference is that representation is transferable between individuals if the designated contact person for the represented organization gives notice. This allows continuity of participation by an organization even when it is necessary to change designated representatives.

OASIS (http://www.oasis-open.org) is a non-profit, international consortium dedicated solely to product-independent data and content interchange. Focusing on product interoperability, OASIS embraces the complete spectrum of structured information standards including XML, SGML and CGM. OASIS operates XML.org, the first global XML industry portal featuring an XML registry and repository that offers automated public access to XML schemas for electronic commerce, business-to-business transactions, and tools and application interoperability. OASIS sponsors include Adobe Systems, AND-USA, Arbortext, Bentley Systems, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Chrystal Software, DataChannel, DMSi, Documentum, Enigma, GCA, IBM, Inso, InterCAP, Interleaf, Interwoven, ISOGEN, ITEDO, Larson Software, Microsoft, Object Design, Open Market, POET Software, Reuters, The SABRE Group, SoftQuad, Software AG, STEP, Sun Microsystems, Synthbank, System Development, Wavo, Xerox, XyEnterprise and Zeh Graphics Systems.

Contact:
Laura Walker
Executive Director
OASIS
978/439 9035
lawalker@oasis-open.org

KEYWORDS: XML, OASIS, XML.org, Adobe, AND-USA, Arbortext, Bentley Systems, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Chrystal Software, DataChannel, DMSi, Documentum, Enigma, GCA, IBM, Inso, InterCAP, Interleaf, Interwoven, ISOGEN, ITEDO, Larson Software, Microsoft, Object Design, ODI, Open Market, POET Software, Reuters, The SABRE Group, SoftQuad, Software AG, STEP, Sun Microsystems, Synthbank, System Development, Wavo, Xerox, XyEnterprise and Zeh Graphics Systems

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