Ann Arbor, Mich.— To ensure openness and interoperability from machine control to enterprise supply chain applications, and to accelerate the adoption of Internet applications for the factory floor, Manufacturing Data Systems Inc. (MDSI) is publishing an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) standard for production, maintenance, and quality data. MDSI is reportedly the first technology company in the industrial motion market to define and publish an open XML standard for the publication and distribution of manufacturing data.

In addition, MDSI will be releasing an XML software application extension to the company's OpenCNC software CNC family of products, for the export of MDSI's patented Significant Events real-time machine data in an XML format. The MDSI open XML standard is available for downloading from MDSI's web site at www.mdsi2.com/products/MDSI-XML.htm.

XML format allows users to exchange data for presentation across the Internet in a more data-centric and detailed format than HTML (HyperText Markup Language) text, which primarily specifies the look and feel of documents on a browser. XML, on the other hand, defines data content. Data exchanged in XML format is tagged and classified to optimize searches across platforms and for ready integration into other systems. The MDSI-XML standard specifies the element and format names to be used for the classification and exchange of production data from a machine tool.

MDSI will incorporate industry feedback into the MDSI-XML standard on an ongoing basis. Those who wish to provide feedback may e-mail their suggestions to XML@mdsi2.com.

For more information, visit www.mdsi2.com or www.controleng.com/freeinfo.