SDL International announced today that it has become a sponsoring corporation in the initiative to establish open standards for XML localization. Known as the XML Localization Interchange File Format, 'XLIFF' is being created as a Technical Committee Specification under the auspices of the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS).

 In recent years, localization vendors and clients alike have come to realize the growing value of their corporate translation assets," said Brian Briggs, VP of SDL's Desktop Products division.  "Using proprietary tools that have not been certified as conforming to open standards is like locking up your family's valuables in a safe and then counting on your neighbour to remember the combination.  Most customers have become aware of the need to conform to standards like XLIFF, but smart customers demand it."  

"By participating in the development of XLIFF with OASIS, SDL is demonstrating its commitment to open globalization standards," noted Patrick Gannon, president and CEO of OASIS.
"We see standards like ours as key to the long term development of the localization and globalization services industry. We welcome SDL's active participation in our efforts to advance a specification for multi-lingual data exchange, and we look forward to their contributions to the consortium."


About OASIS

OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards) is a not-for-profit, global consortium that drives the development, convergence and adoption of e-business standards.
Members themselves set the OASIS technical agenda, using a lightweight, open process expressly designed to promote industry consensus and unite disparate efforts. OASIS produces worldwide standards for security, Web services, XML conformance, business transactions, electronic publishing, topic maps and interoperability within and between marketplaces.
( http://www.oasis-open.org )

About SDL Desktop Products

The Desktop Products division of SDL International (London Stock Exchange: 'SDL') focuses exclusively in creating customer solutions based on a full range of globalization productivity tools and process consulting. SDL Desktop Product's clients include global corporations, software publishers, translators and localization service providers worldwide.  More information can be found at www.sdlintl.com/products.