Nearly every commercial and open-source Web content management (CMS) package claims to be XML-compliant, and by now most do indeed use XML in some way. However, different CMS packages employ XML in different ways, and variations in archictecture can be significant for a potential CMS adopter.

For example, some systems store XML as flat files, others as an abstract overlay on top of a relational database (both approaches have advantages and disadvantages). Some packages can export XML from a content repository, but not natively import it. Fortunately, a significant body of experience is emerging that allows us to analyze results and draw lessons learned.

This session will examine some of the common approaches to leveraging XML in CMS applications and try to extract some general trends. Then it will suggest some best practices for implementing XML in Web Content Management projects and identify possible additional technologies that might be required for a complete solution.

The session will draw on analysis of major CMS implementations as well as vendor-neutral evaluations of leading technologies.