DATA MANAGEMENT: XML (TSXE)

Every so often, there is a major development in technology which affects the way we work and live. Mobile phones are a good modern example. XML is a more silent technology, as it doesn't affect the way most of us work but it affects the way computers and systems talk to each other in business.

If you have heard of HTML, XML is the equivalent for data. HTML stores the instructions for text in an easy to read format – web pages and emails are often in HTML format. XML breaks down data into its components – for our industry, this is both the survey data itself and the project instructions and texts. It makes for a light way to transport information between systems and is to a great extent self-documenting, making it easy for receivers of such data to work.

In 2001, XML became the standard for transporting data between one system and another. It is used in diverse fields, such as health records, customer information, computer games, online booking and many other business processes. Market research has been slow to adopt this standard with most software suppliers having no XML compatibility at all.

Our XML standard is known as TSXE, which stands for Triple–S XML Extended. It is built on the Triple–S XML design and incorporates all of a survey's details. It can even be customised to integrate it even more closely with other products. The standard is free to use.

We have put a great deal of effort in to making all of our software XML compatible, enabling us deliver data as required. There are some real benefits to this. If your client asks you to deliver data in a convenient form for their IT Department, many data processing companies and software companies would probably recommend ASCII or Excel format, as this is all they can deliver. In most cases, the IT Department of your clients would probably prefer XML format, so that they can integrate the data into their existing systems. This gives you the chance of having a competitive advantage over others.

We realise that this is a technical area and will always be pleased to discuss this with you or your clients.

For even more details about XML and our software, you may wish to download a technical specification or view further details. Click here to download TSXE documentation.