In today’s connected world, interoperability is as important as security and reliability for IT professionals.

To aid interoperability, XML-based file formats can unlock data in documents and help integrate front- and back-office processes. Recognising these benefits, Microsoft has implemented XML-based formats in successive releases of Office.

Both public and private sector customers have expressed their preference for making Open XML an open standard so that they have broad rights to use, without cost, any Microsoft patents necessary to implement all or part of the format.

Responding to this, Microsoft and others called for the standardisation of Open XML. On 7 Dec 2006 Ecma International, a highly respected standardisation body, approved the adoption of Open XML as an international open standard.

The strengths of Ecma Open XML are clear:

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Ecma Open XML was developed through the collaborative efforts of leading companies such as Apple, Barclays Capital, BP, The British Library, Essilor, Intel, Microsoft, NextPage, Novell, Statoil, Toshiba and the US Library of Congress.

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Ecma Open XML is backward compatible with billions of archived documents held by the private and public sectors.

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Any company can freely implement and develop innovative products using Ecma Open XML

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Ecma Open XML enables interoperability, accommodates multiple languages and cultures, and supports technologies that enable people with disabilities to use computing devices.

 

Customers want choice, interoperability and innovation. We and others believe that Open XML achieves all these goals. We look forward to supporting Ecma as it works closely with national standards bodies throughout the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) / International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) process.

If you agree that Open XML should be approved as an ISO standard please sign this petition, which we will send to the Chairman of the British Standards Institution to demonstrate broad support for this initiative in the UK.

     http://www.microsoft.co.uk/openxml/