waldt

XML Enabled Process Innovation: 

XML Enabled Process Innovation XML 2003 - Philadelphia 9 December 2003 Dale Waldt aXtive Minds, Inc. dale@aXtiveminds.com © 2003 aXtive Minds, Inc.

Who am I?: 

Who am I? Currently aXtive Minds, Inc., Senior Consultant / Trainer XMaLpha, Senior Consultant / Data Designer Previously RIA / Thomson, VP Product Technology OASIS, Industry Consultant / XML.org

Agenda: 

Agenda Problems with Content & Data XML Publishing / CMS Processes XML CMS Case Study Web Services Processes Web Services Case Study Discussion

Problems with Content & Data: 

Problems with Content & Data Information silos XML eases transformation between diverse system data formats Multiple data delivery formats XML enables transforms to variety of 'consumption" formats Content management XML enables data modularization, management, reuse, collaboration System integration challenges XML enables application interfaces Longevity of data XML enables data centric computing

XML Publishing/CMS Process: 

Product Staging Product / Content Delivery Data Capture Data Management XML Publishing/CMS Process

Data Capture Opportunities: 

Data Capture Opportunities XML Enabled Data Collection & Conversion Data selection using XML-based metadata Conversion from XML or non-XML interchange formats

Content Editing / Management Opportunities: 

Content Editing / Management Opportunities

Product Delivery Opportunities: 

Product Delivery Opportunities

Product Staging Opportunities: 

Product Staging Opportunities

Case Study – Description : 

Case Study – Description Small publisher of school performance tests Sells directly to individual school districts Test products derived from master database of test questions Test questions developed by distributed subcontractors Variety of unstructured editorial tools are currently used School district required to comply with state testing standards Web-based delivery channel was recently created Stringent security needed in all phases of question development Competitive pressures require reengineering of editorial production system Expedite content development Expedite Web delivery channel Reduce data management & transfer cost

Case Study – Current System : 

Case Study – Current System

Case Study – Partial Implementation: 

Case Study – Partial Implementation

Case Study – Full Implementation: 

Case Study – Full Implementation Outside Authors Create Questions Questions XML Editorial Department Convert Questions Edit Questions School Districts & Consultants Production Vendor Compose Questions Review Questions MS Word Documents Assemble Test Compose Test Review Test Tests XML Stage HTML Tests Conduct Test HTML Tests Edit Questions Edit Tests

Case Study – Observations: 

Case Study – Observations Benefits from XML-Enabled Process Reduced time / cost related to question & test creation Eliminate schedule dependencies Increased test customization opportunities Leverage outside author's existing editing tools Obstacles to Implementation Need new skills to develop automated transformations May require bringing some services in-house

What is Collaboration?: 

10101010 What is Collaboration? Task Collaboration Informal Messaging, replicating, sharing, annotating, reporting & merging products Formal Workflow products Document Collaboration Exclusive Content management with locking controls File locking Single-user applications Inclusive Multi-user applications Real-time views Non-real-time replication

Unstructured Document Sharing: 

Unstructured Document Sharing

Workgroups & Unstructured Document Sharing: 

Workgroups & Unstructured Document Sharing

Unstructured Document Sharing: 

Unstructured Document Sharing Pros Individual Efficiencies Inexpensive & Commonly Understood Greater Mobility Cons No Enforcement of Process Requirements Automation opportunities all but non-existent Difficult to integrate in heterogeneous environments

Case Study Revisited – Collaboration Workflow : 

Case Study Revisited – Collaboration Workflow Henry Ford, Meet Ted Nelson Outside Authors Create Questions Questions XML Editorial Department Convert Questions Edit Questions School Districts & Consultants Production Vendor Compose Questions Review Questions Assemble Test Compose Test Review Test Tests XML Stage HTML Tests Conduct Test HTML Tests Edit Tests Internet

Major Benefits of XML CMS Systems: 

Major Benefits of XML CMS Systems Integrate editing, storage, security, & messaging systems Encapsulate process requirements in system controls Allow multiple versions of content to be managed as single item Automate repetitive processing and assembly tasks Support efficient content creation, updating & tracking by users May be local and/or distributed

Web Services Process Model: 

Web Services Process Model

Case Study – Description & Goals : 

Case Study – Description & Goals Large developer of consumer electronic products Products designed internally but "farmed out" Suppliers & resellers are all over the world Experiencing delays in product development, ordering & other critical processes Competitive pressures require attention to service & cost Automate service & collection activities Improve service to partners & customers Expedite deliveries while reducing inventory costs Integrate diverse trading partner information processes & systems

Case Study – Existing Process : 

Case Study – Existing Process

Case Study – Implementation 1: 

Case Study – Implementation 1

Case Study – Implementation 2: 

Case Study – Implementation 2

Case Study – Observations : 

Case Study – Observations Benefits Gained from Web Services System development & maintenance costs reduced System development expedited, especially for new partners Product & shipping info more current Shipping / receipt info available online / orders expedited Inventory cost reduction from shift to "Just In Time" approach Improved product info & order accuracy Challenges & Obstacles New IT & end-user skills needed Partners may be apprehensive Integration challenges with legacy systems Disruption during implementation

Important e-Business Standards: 

Important e-Business Standards Web Services Architecture for application integration over the Web Specifications: Discovery (UDDI) Messaging (SOAP) Interface Definition (WSDL) ebXML (electronic business XML) Open framework for global e-commerce Specifications: Business Process (BPSS) Registry Model / Services (RIM / RSS) Trading Partner Collaboration (CPPA) Messaging Services (ebMS) Today

Discussion: 

Discussion