2. XML and E-Commerce

3. What is XML? XML means “Extensible Markup Language” extensible - not fixed format like HTML Enables you to define your own customized markup languages for different classes of documents

4. XML: General Overview XML, for its part, defines the internal semantic structure of a document; in other words, what is what. HTML defines how the information is displayed on the outside, while XML defines how the information is put together within the document. HTML is based upon predefined tags, XML provides flexibility through user-defined tags. Creating XML standards allows the seamless communication between multiple systems (including multiple systems in the same company or multiple systems communicating between different companies.

5. XML: The Current State XML is, and has been for the past two years, spreading rapidly through the e-commerce community. It is becoming the industry standard for the “behind the scenes” portion of e-commerce. Consolidation of multiple human-assisted-tasks into automated transactions. Cheaper, Faster, less Error-prone. Widespread vendor support from the major players: –Microsoft –IBM –Adobe –Netscape

6. XML: Behind the Scenes A consumer purchasing a single $5.00 item on the Internet consists of one B2C transaction, but consists of many B2B transactions. B2B transactions have previously been cumbersome and very resource intensive. Not only does XML allow for the B2C transaction to become more automated, but it allows for a fairly inexpensive solution to the problem of automating B2B transactions. Snowball effect, the same XML schema created for transactions between “Store A” and “Supplier X”, can also be used for transactions between “Store A” and “Supplier Y”…..

7. XML: Various Uses * CML (Chemical Markup Language) For graphic rendering of the molecular structure of chemical compounds * FIXML (Financial Information eXchange) - A markup language for the exchange of real-time stock trading information * HRMML (Human Resource Management Markup Language) - A markup language for the representation of resumes and job postings * MATHML (Mathematical Markup Language) - A language for display and presentation of mathematical equations and formulas. * MUSICML (Music Markup Language) - A markup language for publishing sheet music on the Web

8. XML: Various Uses * OFX (Open Financial eXchange) - A standard for exchange of financial data between financial institutions businesses, and customers * P3P (Platform for Privacy Preferences) - A markup language for exchanging privacy information between two organizations or individuals * RELML (Real Estate Listing Markup Language) - A language for presenting and exchanging real estate listing over the Internet * SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) - A markup language that allows synchronization of many multimedia sources in a single Web presentation. * WML (Wireless Markup Language) A markup language that defines how Web content is accessed and presented by small, handheld devices

9. XML: For IT Students As IT students, XML will provide opportunities down the road. As far as business and e-commerce goes, XML will prove to be a cost-saving tool. As it allows for fewer expenses it in turn allows for greater profits. When a technology means more profits, there will always be a demand for those who can implement that technology.