XML A Double-Edge Sword

Move XML to the front-end of workflows, and your publishing organization will reap the maximum benefit when producing, re-purposing or managing content.

Organizations are struggling to produce and repurpose increasing volumes of content. Many use XML to deliver content in an expanding variety of formats required for Internet, Web, wireless and other media.

A surprising few are employing XML early enough in the production process to reap the full benefits of this powerful technology. Only 5% to 10% of book publishers, for example, use front-end XML workflows today.

That means the majority of publishers using XML do so only on the back-end of their production processes. Their composition houses are harnessing XML technology to convert printer files into the multiple digital formats required for various e-publishing projects.

By contrast, front-end XML workflows ease the tasks associated with producing, re-purposing and managing content. But false assumptions are discouraging companies from embracing front-end XML workflows.

This means most publishers aren't harnessing the statistically proven improvements in speed, cost effectiveness and data accuracy that can be expected with front-end XML workflow systems.

While front-end XML workflows should be of keen interest publishers, they also benefit companies involved in financial services, legal matters and other content-rich industries.

Front-end XML workflows for managing content are relatively easy to implement, and certainly worth the effort, because they allow organizations to produce content up to 20% faster, and 25% less expensively than back-end-loaded processes.

In the end, front-end XML workflows let publishers build new revenue streams by repurposing content, rather than struggling with building or implementing new workflows.

-Gurvinder Batra

Gurvinder Batra (GBatra@TechBooks.com) is president and CTO of the TechBooks Professional Publishing Group, in Fairfax, Va.