Grasping what XML really is about and how it will develop is difficult. Yet this knowledge is necessary in order to understand how XML will influence business processes. This study explains the underpinnings of XML, its development, the relation to other standards, and what the World Wide Web will look like from an XML perspective. The study examines also, how XML will serve in data exchange, Web and document publishing, searching, and multimedia. However, some companies will still seek proprietary advantage by creating special features that extend XML's capabilities at the expense of universal compatibility.
Wild cards are ideas and events well off the current trend lines in the business environment.
The computer industry appears to be gearing up for its next revolution as an increasing number of computing functions migrate away from localized workstations and personal computers, finding their way onto remote servers. The education industry is finally showing signs of life with new book publishing and distribution models and partnerships and new links between retailers and educational institutions. And Silicon Valley continues to bemoan its lack of a sufficiently skilled work force, while Norway wonders if everyone really has to go to college. Creating HR departments that contribute directly to providing value for the customer has become a priority. Companies will have to devote the same attention to reinventing HR that they have devoted in the past to optimizing manufacturing processes if they wish to remain competitive in today's business environment.