What Are Some Applications for XML and Smart Documents?

To get you thinking about ways in which you or your company might use XML and Smart Documents, here are three examples of documents that could benefit greatly from conversion to one of these solutions:

• Catalogs ” Using XML for a catalog would enforce design rules and ensure that all of the information has been entered correctly. An XML-based catalog could be interfaced with databases, typesetting software, and Web design systems. It would streamline the process of outputting the catalog both in print form on the company's Web site. Word would provide a familiar and convenient interface for writing the copy in the catalog.

• Performance Reviews ” A performance review that was built as a Smart Document could provide employees with guidance when they are filling it out. It would be able to automatically fill in some information by pulling it from the employee database (for example, if the employee entered his or her employee ID number, the Smart Document could then fill in the employee's name , address, department, years of employment, and so on). The document could route itself to the next person in the review process. It could provide a high level of security for confidential sections of the review, and it could automatically enter information from the completed review into the employee database.

• Books ” Using XML for a book would enable more effective indexing and cross-referencing. Furthermore, the XML markup would make it possible for applications to extract the structure of the book for use in PowerPoint. You could use different transforms for hard copy books and e-books.