XML standard proposed for product information

An initiative has been launched for promoting an XML specification to allow manufacturers and suppliers to exchange product information.

Proposed by Agile Software, the National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (NEMI), semiconductor manufacturer Marshall Industries and electronics manufacturer Solectron Corporation, the platform-independent XML standard would describe data and properties of manufacturing-specific documents, such as engineering and manufacturing change orders, deviations and bills of material.

The platform-independent standard would also eliminate the need for manufacturers and suppliers to standardize on the same supply chain or manufacturing software or use data translation tools, improving the collaboration process between manufacturers and supply chain partners.

Sharing product information and better collaboration will help manufacturers and suppliers cut costs and free staff to focus on larger strategic issues and ideas, according to Marshall CEO Rob Rodin.

For Solectron VP and CIO Ken Ouchi, the ability to better define and exchange product information will "drive dramatic time-to-market improvements for our customers.