XML seen as integral to application integration

Many companies have a wealth of information in their databases and applications, and want to leverage these assets. They are beginning to see that XML could help them do this by providing a standard data format for cross-platform information exchange. XML thus offers a powerful new way to integrate new and existing applications within companies. Today much of that linking must be done using enterprise application integration software, which is often complex and quite costly. Developers may have to translate legacy APIs to new component APIs or change flow data and workflow processes are structured to permit data exchange between incompatible applications. Analysts and some early adopters say XML will help simplify this complex, labor-intensive process because it lets developers precisely identify pieces of data on the basis of content