The results of the test bed took on many forms. They are listed here and are discussed in more detail throughout the remainder of this article. A database of Dublin Core records contributed by members used to test assumptions, reveal trends, and explore the use of XML as a transfer syntax for museum content. A foundation upon which to evolve programming concerned with interchange of museum information. Standards CIMI has been creating, testing and implementing standards for information management and access in museums since its inception.
Standards offer museums a means to communicate, interoperate, and collaborate.
As noted above, the recent test bed project involved testing the Dublin Core metadata standard as well as XML to determine their efficacy for museums. CIMI recommendations, standards and best practices most often are developed as a result of a test bed. Dublin Core contains a museum-centric view of the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set and provides guidance for implementing the standard in museums. The Guide is available for down load from the CIMI web site. The CIMI Dublin Core XML DTD was developed as part of the database building exercise that occurred during the test bed.