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STEP, XML, and UML: Complementary Technologies1

One important aspect of product lifecycle management (PLM) is the computer-sensible representation of product information. Over the past fifteen years or so, several languages and technologies have emerged that vary in their emphasis and applicability for such usage. ISO 10303, informally known as the Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP), contains the high-quality product information models needed for electronic business solutions. By using STEP, the aerospace, automotive, and ship building industries are saving $150M per year primarily in areas related to geometric modeling. However, traditional STEP-based model information is represented using languages that are unfamiliar to most application developers, thus impeding widespread usage in other areas. This paper discusses efforts underway to make STEP information models available via mechanisms familiar to more business application developers, specifically XML and the Unified Modeling Language™ (UML®). We also present a vision and roadmap for STEP integration with XML, UML, and other technologies to enable enhanced PLM interoperability. Our conclusion is that STEP, XML, and UML are complementary technologies, where STEP provides significant standardized content models, while XML and UML provide enhanced implementation methods. Together, they are a powerful force to enable pervasive digital representation and sharing of diverse technical information.