OASIS MEMBER NEWS: STEP UK launches X2X, "The link management of the future"

[Laura Walker <laurawalker@earthlink.net>]

-----Original Message-----
From:	Sue Noble [SMTP:sen@stepuk.com]
Sent:	Tuesday, February 15, 2000 5:33 PM
Subject:	STEP Press release


STEP UK launches X2X, "The link management of the future"
14/02/2000

STEP UK Ltd. announces the launch today of X2X the XML XLink engine. X2X allows 
for the creation, management and manipulation of link information.

X2X allows linking between documents and information resources without needing 
to change either of the 'source' or 'target' documents that are being linked. 
X2X removes the requirement to insert link information inside document content. 
The Links are NOT stored  in the document.


Seybold Bulletin (Vol 5 N0. 11 December 15, 1999) identifies X2X as a glimpse 
of the link management of the future and describes that future as:

"X2X is the kind of application that is needed to usher in a brand-new type of 
Web resource - - the overlay or personal view of third-party resources. Such 
overlays let you create custom views of resources at other sites - - overlays 
that will be useful in a wide range of Web applications from education to 
commercial reference publishing."

Clearly, that future is here today, with the Web as only one of the numerous 
sources of information that can be accessed and managed in this way.

X2X has an extensible architecture to allow resources to reside in any data 
repository. X2X stores links independently of any documents and provides 
facilities to dynamically insert external link structures into documents on 
demand. X2X stores all the link information within an ODBC/ JDBC enabled 
database, e.g. Oracle or SQL Server. X2X is developed in Java for cross 
platform operation. X2X is implemented using fundamental linking concepts and 
understands links defined using Xlink and Xpath.

X2X is currently supported on Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0 and Red Hat Linux 6.0. 
Support for Sun Solaris and Hewlett Packard UX will soon follow.

This release follows completion of a successful international beta test program 
spanning more the 26 countries. The Company is currently in discussion with a 
number of major software vendors for incorporation of X2X within their product 
portfolios.  Arbortext were one of the first vendors to identify how it would 
add value to their Adept and Epic product range.

STEP UK Ltd. provides structured information services to their customers based 
on SGML/XML technologies. Specializing in information re-engineering, STEP UK 
Ltd. services include systems integration, consultancy, training and supplying 
'best of breed' third party products. Drawing on over 100 man years experience 
in SGML/XML, STEP UK Ltd. are able to provide systems and products that are 
tailored to meet the exact needs of its customers.

Recently described in the Gilbane Report as "a centre of excellence for 
SGML/XML", STEP UK Ltd. offer a 'one stop shop' for customers' requirements, 
whether it be customized product training, web delivery system development or 
large-scale document management solutions.


Contact information
Email: info@stepuk.com
Web: www.stepuk.com
Tel: +44 (0)1793 485465