As any content or production professional knows, effective file management is a necessary part of the creative process.  And while keeping track of important files at each stage is critical, developing a workflow that actually works can be a major challenge. In response to this need, NPES announces that an international, multi-vendor, ISO (International Organization for Standardization) committee has completed development of ISO 16684-1:2012 Graphic technology – Extensible metadata platform (XMP) specification – Part 1: Data model, serialization and core properties, providing content creators with guidance on an easy way to embed file identification and tracking information into their project files.

The new standard is based on Adobe's Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP) and relates to a labeling technology that allows the user to embed data about a file, known as metadata, into the file itself.  For those who use XMP metadata for any type of resource, including developers and end-users of applications, the international standard provides useful guidance for processing and storing standardized and proprietary information for the contents of a file. With XMP, desktop applications and back-end publishing systems gain a common method for capturing, sharing, and leveraging this valuable metadata—opening the door for more efficient job processing, workflow automation, and rights management, among many other possibilities.

Frank Biederich, ISO TC130WG2/TF2 committee member, Adobe Systems Director of Engineering stated, "Effective metadata management has become increasingly important with the explosion of digital media. The Adobe Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP) offers a powerful metadata infrastructure to the industry and is a widely adopted technology, specifically in the area of image and document management. The XMP platform not only helps operating system vendors and software companies to seamlessly exchange media related information, it also has been adopted by camera manufacturers applying metadata to content early in the creation process."

ISO 16684-1:2012 provides two main components of XMP metadata:  data model and serialization. In addition, it defines a collection of core properties, which are XMP metadata items that can be applied across a broad range of file formats and domains of usage. Future parts will address formal validation of XMP and XML syntax for describing XMP UI (user interface) elements.

Mr. Biederich continued, "I'm excited to see ISO advance open and extensible metadata by releasing the first part of the Adobe XMP specification as an international standard. Going forward, this allows industry experts to influence the direction of XMP and drive innovation leveraging an established metadata ecosystem. With its continuous commitment to openness Adobe will expand its engagement to other ISO groups in the future to help develop and standardize metadata workflows based on XMP."

ISO 16684-1:2012 Graphic technology – Extensible metadata platform (XMP) specification – Part 1: Data model, serialization and core propertiesis available for purchase from NPES and ISO member national organizations. For more information visit the Standards Workroom on the NPES website at: http://www.npes.org/Programs/StandardsWorkroom.aspx.