Feb/March 2007

It is now much easier to exchange information between PartsArena, the technical information solution for PC and Pocket PC, and other applications. Supplier Infomill says this is one of the benefits of the introduction of the XML data interchange format.

It has always been possible to integrate PartsArena with another application, the company emphasises. But often this process involves linking to a third-party system that might be using a different set of protocols.

XML, the Web-based standard markup system, allows data to be passed between applications more seamlessly. While previously, integration required programming by Infomill's engineers, it is now a relatively simple process. 'Most web or database solutions will import XML once a schema has been set,' says technical director Adrian King.

The result is saved time and a reduction in incorrect parts ordering from errors in transcribing long parts numbers.