XML and its related standards can be used to identify, manage, process, and present both content and meta data describing the content. Companies, however, will need to decide how they will identify content - through embedded markup or via meta data external to the content.

In her presentation, Pam explores the pros and cons of the two approaches, the advantages which might be gained by using both methods and also looks at the issues surrounding meta data identification using XML, by using examples taken from various vertical industry XML applications.

11.15 - 12.00 RDF and the Management of Corporate Meta Data
Hans F. Stern-Peltz, Product Manager, EMEA, XML Solutions Denmark ApS
CLASSIFICATION: STANDARDS FOR META DATA

One of the widely hailed, yet misunderstood and under utilised standards based on XML is RDF – Resource Description Framework. The W3C defines RDF as a declarative language used to represent meta data. In his presentation Hans will provide a brief overview of RDF and the theory behind it, discuss who supports RDF and what they are doing to develop it and finally discuss the implications of RDF for the world of ‘e-commerce’ and ‘e-business’

12.00 - 12.30 XML and the e-marketplace Revolution
Mark Masterson, Head of Sales Support, Commerce One Europe, Middle East and Africa
CLASSIFICATION: USES FOR META DATA

One key new use for meta data is in support of B2B communication, e-commerce and C2B communication. In his presentation, Mark will describe the rise of ‘meta networks’ used for global trading; the use of end to end business processing through xCBL (Common Business Library) an application of XML; and ways of maximising on your ERP investment via real time connectivity to the 'e-marketplace'.

1.30 - 2.15 Issues in Meta Data Management
Katherine Hammer, President & CEO, Evolutionary Technologies International Inc; co-chair Meta Data Coalition
CLASSIFICATION: TOOLS FOR META DATA

There are still many issues in meta data management which are not resolved, for example, the representation of business rules and the method of maintaining levels of abstraction. These issues affect how meta data is managed and also affect what repository is used. In this presentation, Kay will describe both the better known and lesser known issues and show how participants can use these to come up with a set of requirements that can be used to select repository and meta data technology.

2.15 - 3.00 Automating Repository Population - User Experiences
Graham Jones, Information Management Consultant, Grayling Associates Ltd
CLASSIFICATION: TOOLS FOR META DATA

Meta data can be used to decide both what data must be stored in a repository but also which tools both support the developer and must be integrated with the repository. What may be less obvious to the developer is that tools often used to support the end user – such as EAI tools (message brokers and workflow engines), can also be used to automatically populate a repository, integrating tools and repository (or tools with tools).

In his presentation, Graham will explore how a user both defined a reference model to help them choose tools and a repository, but also set about the task of automating tools and repository integration.