Zen and the Art of XML-First Workflow
Get the competitive advantage of publishing with XML-First. Using a single source of cross platform compatible content to seamlessly publish content to print, web and mobile devices
How it works
To stay competitive, your content needs to be smart enough to publish to all media – be it print, HTML, EPUB, PDF or others. That’s exactly what XML-First is all about.
As the term suggests, you start with the XML and then deliver the final output to be ready for print, web and mobile devices in the format of your choice.
We understand the challenge with importing XML data into page layout software like InDesign. There are a number of ways to map the markup to the layout. But once mapped, the markup and layout information may evolve in different directions which creates complexity.
A key reason for XML-first workflows is the correctness of tagging should be verified by proofreading the main rendering.
Why an XML-First workflow?
XML First Workflow
As an example, the first step would be typing out the book in Microsoft Word. An XML first workflow would mean extracting the XML from the .doc file that contains your transcription.
Next is the validation of the XML by associating it to a DTD for the structure.
Finally, you map the XML and transform it to a layout in InDesign, ePub, HTML and so on. Each of these formats cater to print, web and mobile devices for your readers.
