Specifications for Publisher & Agency Communications Exchange XML (SPACE/ XML) was created as electronic business transactions for:

• Space reservation
• Insertion Order
• Creative Material
• Job Ticket
• Invoice

Chair: Craig Shrader, CIO, Hawkeye Communications

The standard was developed to get paid faster from a reduction in information errors that cause billing discrepancies. Additionally, the goal of creating the specifications for ad insertion orders to eliminate much of the confusion and misinformation that can result when insertion orders are sent by fax or mail. By establishing this set of standards, any publication or agency could receive electronic business information from any collaborative partner.

To date the standard contains electronic transactions for everything but invoices which is being completed soon. SPACE/XML began using the process and coding work from SPACE/X12 which was finalized in 1997. Today, X.12 electronic data interchange is being used in the newspaper segment and in Europe. Compatibility with these e-commerce networks was deemed important.

SPACE/XML creates an industry standard electronic format for the print/publishing supply chain. SPACE/XML takes all the information that is exchanged between an ad agency, printer, and publisher, and puts it into a completely standardized electronic format. This allows the process of exchanging information to be well defined and creates a definitive way of conducting business.