IDEAlliance Renews Focus on Publishers

IDEAlliance, founded as The Graphic Communications Association, GCA,  in 1966, was formed to help member companies apply the latest computer-related technologies to all forms of print and electronic publishing.  Between 1996 and 2001, GCA grew from its original 14 founding firms to a worldwide organization with over 300 member companies and a following of thousands of individuals who participate in its conferences,  training programs, standards development committees, and technical groups.

On June 27, 2001 a historic document signing event enabled GCA to become an independent association as it spun off from its parent organization, the Printing Industries of America (PIA), Incorporated. This move away from its traditional roots in printing begans the re-definition of the association for the twenty-first century.  In keeping with it's new independence and and future direction, GCA took the name, IDEAlliance (International Digital Enterprise Alliance).

In September and October, a strategic planning committee consisting of board members and leading members met to craft the mission statement, focus and goals for the newly independent association.   The results clearly indicate the intent of IDEAlliance to focus on the interests of its member companies.  And rather than embracing the broad XML and IT audience, IDEAlliance has chosen to stay close to its roots by focusing directly upon the publishing and content community and positioning itself as a user-community membership organization.  

It is the mission of IDEAlliance to advance user-driven, cross-industry solutions for all publishing and content-related processes by developing standards, fostering business alliances, and identifying best practices.

The goals of IDEAlliance include:

• Developing and converging standards that solve common business problems.
• Advancing information technology solutions within and across industries for and between users and vendors through educational programs and tools.
• Encouraging efficiencies in the creation, management, and delivery and presentation of digital publishing assets.
• Fostering the deployment of standards and development of best practices to address business requirements.
• Establishing an interactive online community of peers to address common business challenges.

Late in November, the new IDEAlliance website went live.  Two weeks later, www.gca.org was forwarded to the new site, where it is clearly announced that GCA is now IDEAlliance.  In the upcoming months, www.idealliance.org will double the amount of content offered online.  The XML Roadmap will be posted.  A new Book Reviews section will provide reviews for XML and SGML titles.  Also, vintage issues of XML Files (Issues 1-10) will return to the Web.

IDEAlliance is also in the process of launching a number of networks.  The most recent is the new Asia/Pacific Network.  See the article on XML Asia/Pacific in this issue of XML Files.  If you have an idea for establishing a network of peers within IDEAlliance, notify Marion Elledge at IDEAlliance.

Return to TOC