Standards are an essential component for successful innovation in the fast moving world of technology. Without a common set of agreed principles of design, process and production it would be extremely difficult to produce technology that satisfies IT requirements in a comprehensive and efficient manner.  

As this affects us all directly, we ask you to participate in the standards forming discussion unfolding on a worldwide basis in the software community.

Successful ratification of the OpenXML standard at the International Standards Organisation (ISO) later this year will represent a key step in the formulation of robust standards that encourage industry transparency, allowing for wider customer choice and collaboration between the producers of software and the people and companies that use this technology.   

Open XML represents an important advancement in document standards that offer benefits to technology users, the technology industry, consumers, businesses and governments worldwide.  It enables backward compatibility with billions of archived documents, and accommodates a wide range of languages and cultures, as well as assistive technologies that help people with disabilities.  

We invite you, as IT Professionals and key influencers, to become involved in this discussion and contribute to the continued rate of progress shown by our industry worldwide by registering on the following websites for more information and insights into why the standards debate is so important.

http://www.OpenXMLCommunity.org

http://www.voicesforinnovation.org

Thank you for your support in this critical issue.