HR-XML Tackles Key Integration Challenges in New Version of Its Standards Library

Outsourced Systems, Assessment Catalog Exchange, and New Hire Processing Are Addressed in New Release of HR-XML's Freely Available Library

The HR-XML Consortium has given employers, business process outsourcers, and HR solution providers a reason to celebrate with the latest release of the HR-XML standards library. The release tackles new and diverse integration topics ranging from the provisioning and maintenance of outsourced HR systems, to the exchange of new hire data between applicant tracking systems and core HR systems. Among the new standards is an Assessment Catalog Specification that enables the exchange of test catalogs between assessment service providers and talent management systems.

In addition to new content, the release includes important updates to existing library content. Among those updates is a redesigned component within HR-XML's Benefits Enrollment Specification to handle prescription drug enrollments under the U.S. Medicare program. HR-XML's Staffing Exchange Protocol includes enhancements designed to give employers better source-of-hire metrics and includes localized content to meet requirements in the German market. HR-XML's Person Name component has been updated to support requirements from Japanese and other markets for the capture of a single name within multiple character sets. These and many other changes are detailed in the release notes available within the library distribution package and in a series of articles within HR-XML's blog (http://www.hr-xml.org/blog/?cat=19).

"As HR-XML begins its seventh year of operations, it is gratifying to see so much continuing progress," remarked Chuck Allen, HR-XML Consortium Executive Director. "As impressive as this release is, planning within the Consortium for performance management and on-boarding standards, for a new Web Services friendly architecture, and for adaptations of HR-XML's specifications for Japanese, European, Indian, and Chinese markets, may make this year's release pale in comparison to the one planned for next year," said Allen.

To register to download the freely available library of specifications, please visit: http://www.hr-xml.org

About HR-XML Consortium

HR-XML (www.hr-xml.org) is the independent, non-profit consortium dedicated to enabling e-commerce and inter-company exchange of human resources data worldwide. The work of the Consortium centers on the development and promotion of standardized XML vocabularies for HR. HR-XML's current efforts are focused on standards for assessments, staffing and recruiting, metrics, compensation and benefits, training and work force management. HR-XML is represented by its membership in 22 countries, and in Europe through its affiliate organization, HR-XML Consortium Europe, and in Japan by HR-XML Consortium Japan. To join the HR-XML Consortium, please visit: http://www.hr-xml.org/forms/join/

HR-XML member organizations include: Acord; Adecco Corporation*; ADP*; Aetna, Inc.*; Allegis Group, Inc.; American Background Information Services, Inc.; American Staffing Association; Applicant Insight Limited Inc.; Association of Test Publishers; Authoria*; BenefitsXML, Inc.; BrassRing, Inc.; Bundesanstalt für Arbeit (German Employment Service); Caliper*; CareerBuilder; CDI Corp/MRI*; Ceridian*; ChoicePoint Inc.*; CIGNA Healthcare; Cisco Systems; CitiStreet*; Defense Finance and Accounting Service; Deploy Solutions*; Development Dimensions International; deverus*; EDS*; Employease, Inc.; ePredix; European Community Telework Forum; eWork; ExecuTRACK Software GmbH; Fidelity Investments*; Fieldglass, Inc.; First Advantage*; Hewitt Associates*; Hire.com*; HireRight, Inc.; HR-XML Consortium Japan*; Humanuo; IBM*; Independence Blue Cross; InScope Corporation*; Job Partners Ltd; Kelly Services*; Kenexa, Inc.*; Kroll Background Screening*; Kronos Incorporated*; Lawson Software*; Manpower, Inc.*; Mercer Human Resource Consulting; MetLife, Inc.*; Microsoft Corporation*; milch & zucker; Minnesota Life; Monster.com*; MPS Group*; MrTed; Object Management Group; Oracle*; Pearson Reid London House; Peopleclick*; PeopleSoft GmbH*; Performance Assessment Network; Profiles International, Inc.; PSI; Ramco Systems Corporation; Recruitmax; Resume Mirror Inc.; Robert Half International, Inc.*; SAP*; SHL Group plc*; SHPS*; Smart Human Logistics Plc*; Society for Human Resource Management; Spherion Corporation*; Staff Service Holdings Co., Ltd.*; Sterling Testing Systems; Swedish National Labour Market Board; Taleo*; The 401(k) Company; The Gallup Organization; The Vanguard Group*; U.S. Office of Personnel Management; Unicru; Valtera; Vedior UK; Verifications. Inc.; Volt/ProcureStaff*; Watson Wyatt Worldwide*; Workscape, Inc. (* = Charter Member).

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