NISO and OASIS Exchange Memberships Leading Organizations Work Together to Advocatem Interoperability Through XML/SGML
Bethesda, MD and Boston, MA USA; May 24, 2000–The National Information Standards Organization (NISO) and OASIS today announced that they have exchanged memberships in an effort to further standards for structured documents within the information industry. The reciprocal membership opens communication between the industry-vertical NISO, which develops technical standards for libraries, publishers and information services and the cross-industry efforts of OASIS, which advances XML and SGML structured data interoperability.
“This announcement formalizes the working relationship between NISO and OASIS,” explained Pat Harris, executive director of NISO. “As NISO standards must increasingly address applications on the web, the use of structured schemas such as XML and SGML are key for interoperability. The partnership will enable NISO to keep its members current on XML and SGML developments. It will give the OASIS community more insight into how XML and SGML are being applied in the information industry community.”
Laura Walker, executive director of OASIS, described the agreement as a great opportunity for both OASIS and NISO. “The rich experiences of the information industry community in XML and SGML development will be an asset for the OASIS community, which serves as a vendor-neutral resource for vertical industry groups seeking to build consensus on implementations of structured documents.”
About NISO
The National Information Standards Organization (NISO) is a non-profit organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute that develops and promotes consensus-approved standards used in library services, publishing, and many other information-related industries. NISO standards address the communication needs of these industries in areas such as information retrieval, preservation of materials, information transfer, forms and records, identification systems, publication formats, and equipment and supplies.
About OASIS
OASIS 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 sponsors include Adobe Systems, Aerospatiale, AND-USA, Arbortext, BEA Systems, Bentley Systems, Boeing, Bowstreet, Bridge, Chrystal Software, Cohesia, Commerce One, CommerceNet, CompTIA, Corel, DataChannel, DMSi, Documentum, Dun & Bradstreet, eCredit.com, Enigma, eXcelon, Extricity Software, GCA, Health Level Seven, IBM, InformIT, Informix, InterCAP, Interleaf, Interwoven, ISOGEN, ITEDO, JetForm, Keyfile, Logistics Management Institute, Mercator Software, Microsoft, NextPage, NII Enterprise Promotion Association, Nimble.com, NIST, Object Management Group (OMG), Open Applications Group, Pick Systems, POET Software, ProNet Technology Partners, Reed Technology, Reuters, Sabre, SAP, Sequoia Software, SoftQuad, Software AG, STEP, StreamServe, Sun Microsystems, Synthbank, Visa, Wavo, Webb Interactive Services, webMethods, Whitehill Technologies, Xerox, XMLSolutions and XyEnterprise.
About XML.ORG
XML.ORG is a vendor-neutral community for advancing XML industry standardization. Hosted by OASIS, the XML.ORG website provides news and information about the application of XML in electronic business environments. XML.ORG offers valuable online tools, such as the XML.ORG Catalog, a clearinghouse for industry-specific or cross-industry XML specifications. Sponsors of XML.ORG include DataChannel, Documentum, Commerce One, GCA, IBM, Mercator Software, SAP, SoftQuad and Sun Microsystems.
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For more information:
Nancy Knight Associate Director NISO (301) 654-2512 nknight@niso.org
Carol Geyer Media Relations Consultant OASIS +1 978.667.5115 x209 carol.geyer@oasis-open.org