XML allows the specification of an arbitrary set of non-binary tags for representing information components. This offers an open platform independent,low cost platform for representing information for a multitude of purposes.

Implementing a standard in XML is relatively simple: all that is really needed is shared DTDs or Schema. By agreeing on these documents, a standard can be formed. XML Clearinghouse helps an enterprise to effectively store and manage the agreed standards. Of course, adherence to the standard then becomes a primary concern. Therefore, if the usage of the XML standards in an enterprise is left uncontrolled (which is what is happening in enterprises today), the introduction of XML in an enterprise could result in the proliferation of many diverse data formats among many projects that may represent the same piece of information. This would create new islands of information and result in a new version of the expensive one-off formatting problems which is the fundamental problem that XML is intended to solve in the first place.

The only way for enterprises to ensure that this does not occur is to establish an XML management/governance framework to oversee the development and deployment of an integrated set of XML standards to represent the information Components of an enterprise. Based on our extensive experience in implementing governance framework for many of our clients that enable them to effectively manage the use of XML standards in their enterprise, in this presentation, we will explain the following:

- XML is not a silver bullet

- The importance of an XML Clearinghouse for managing XML in an enterprise

- The need for XML Standards Governance Framework to support the XML clearinghouse

- Benefits of the XML standards Governance Framework

- The risks of XML standards Governance Framework