Arbortext, Inc., a provider of standards-based enterprise software for information creation, editing, and publishing, has announced the release of Epic, an eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based framework for the Enterprise Product Information Chain. Epic provides a framework for integrating new capabilities with existing infrastructure, as well as functionality to meet the needs of specific vertical markets. The company also announced the availability of Epic applications for the telecommunications and computing markets. Beginning this year, Epic applications will be available for other manufacturing and publishing markets such as aerospace, automotive, heavy industrial, semiconductors, financial services, and government sectors.

The Enterprise Product Information Chain encompasses the creation, management, delivery, and use of document information related to a company's products and services. Groups involved in this chain include research, engineering, technical documentation, marketing, sales, services, suppliers, and customers. These groups contribute or require information for product design, manufacturing, sales, operation, and servicing. Documentation for product information includes functional requirements, design specifications, product catalogs, user guides, services manuals, and reference books.

With the advent of the Web, companies are under increased pressure to deliver updated and synchronized information to multiple media--print, CD-ROM, and the Web. …