XML is a way of labeling or tagging information so that it can be retrieved or inserted into a website. Information coded in XML is easy to read and understand, plus it can be processed easily by computers. The best part about XML is there is no fixed set of tags; new tags can be created as they are needed.
Suppose a Word document is tagged so that the sender's name is given a tag as "sender." This then makes this portion of the document more universally available to be retrieved or placed on a website.
The information about the sender can be placed on any website and at that time the format will convert to fit the website. In other words the information (sender’s name) is place on the website and not the font size or other formatting. The data is separate from the formatting.
This universal availability of data separated from the formatting is what the hype is about. Data can freely flow independently.
Web Content Management
One of the first and most obvious areas of interest for XML is based on the origin of XML technology, which was the electronic publishing industry. XML was created in some respects as a means to bring order to the chaos that HTML had created, yet doing this in a Web friendly fashion.
This new content order would bring four broad benefits to the world of Web content management:
- Separation of Data from Presentation
- Easier Search ability
- Content Re-purposing
- Richer Data Manipulation on the Client Side
Web Syndication
XML was originally created only to solve the content management crisis of the Web. However, it has become clear very quickly that XML could potentially play a bigger role in how the future of the Internet and e-commerce evolves.
Some saw the primary benefit of XML in Web application integration, or what we call Web Syndication. Web Syndication is based on the idea that value in the Internet economy is created through the network of relationships established between Web sites, or what some might call Internet value chains.
Based on new affiliate and syndicate network business models, Web syndication exposes a site's content and application assets to other applications and Web sites.
XML is riding on success waves in the sense that it is enjoying rapid adoption by industry ever since it has come into existence. Software AG, IBM, Sun, Microsoft, Netscape, DataChannel, SAP and many others have already announced support for XML. Microsoft will use XML as the exchange format for its Office product line, while both Microsoft's and Netscape's Web browsers support XML. SAP has announced support of XML through the SAP Business Connector with R/3. Software AG supports XML in its Bolero and Natural product lines and provides Tamino, a native XML database.
Where can I get a dedicated full-time XML resource?
At Stylus Inc! Our XML specialists are not freelancers; instead they are employees of Stylus who will work on your project only. You pay for the work they do and that’s it! We’ll take care of their work stations, salary and related issues etc.
All our XML specialists have extensive industry experience and are well-versed in many aspects of XML development. They are good communicators that have showed consistency in understanding client requirements and applying their technical, analytical and creative skills to come up with business-oriented solutions not just technological solutions.
When it comes to objective planning, Stylus programmers have always displayed excellent entrepreneurial skills and along with their real hands-on programming experience they’ve impacted many clients’ business bottomline. They’re bright, energetic types who keep the organization growing.
How much would I save if I hire dedicated XML specialists from Stylus?
Stylus Inc offers a monthly rate card for XML specialists who’ll work only on your project and complete the tasks in stipulated time. Hiring programmers on full-time basis is highly flexible as in it can follow any development life cycle. You’ll be provided with a competent Project / IT manager on his side and your involvement is high. This ensures that your outsourcing venture is highly successful and meets all your business objectives.
What is the basis of your pricing? Can you give me examples?
This is a least cost option hence you'll have budget predictability and IP ownership. The dedicated team working for you is highly flexible i.e. they can start with any level of expertise on the application. This places a high amount of control in your hands.
What is the difference in costs when I hire a programmer from India as compared to the US?
We have a lot of positions/departments involved in the application development. You could work with a single programmer on all facets, including project design, choosing the right database, testing and fixes. One programmer in the US is currently paid about $80,000/year.
How will working with Stylus Inc be cheaper?
While it’s true that a talented programmer in the US will be in the range mentioned, the actual cost to company for every employee is substantially more. In addition to the salary, every company needs to make other statutory payments for each employee. In addition, for each role, there will be other infrastructure costs such as hardware, software, utility and space costs that get added as overheads.
Thus for a programmer who earns an annual salary of $80,000 the total cost to the company is in excess of $100,000.
In the case of our team, you will not require all services on a continuous basis. In a typical project, the analysis, architecture and design takes up approximately 15% of the time in terms of effort and costs approximately 20% of the total cost, project management takes up approximately 20% of effort and 28% of cost, and development and testing takes the remaining 65% effort and 52% of the cost.
On the whole, a 12 man month project that would take approximately a year for your programmer in the US (costing you about $100,000) can be completed in about 6 months by a team in India, and at an approximate total cost of $40,000.
At Stylus you can choose to hire a single XML Specialists or a team depending on your requirements. Contact Us to work out the specific details of this arrangement.
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