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AIA

Practice software houses agree data exchange standard

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16th Jun 2005
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Practice management and tax software developers have formally agreed a standard for the exchange of client information between their systems.

The prototype ICAEW Standard, which will be known as the Xtensible Practice Standard (xPS), was agreed by software companies at a meeting convened last month by the institute's IT Faculty. Developers who took part and recently retired IT Faculty chairman Simon Hurst confirmed that the prototype standard had been agreed, but said a formal announcement awaited the approval of all the participants.

The original idea for the practice software data exchange standard is credited to Mike Francis of Practice Engine, but Hurst played a role in getting other developers to back it and Digita came up with the prototype scheme that was agreed at the most recent suppliers' meeting.

The prototype standard uses XML tags to identify basic client and contact details. At at a recent conference, Digita's Max Thomas indicated that his team was building the ICAEW standard into the design for the company's new practice management program. If other developers followed suit, it would be theoretically possible to bounce information between tax and practice software systems from different suppliers.

When pressed to confirm the details of the meeting, Hurst told AccountingWEB, "If and when the standard is finally agreed, hopefully it will create opportunities for suppliers as well as for users of their software. The IT Faculty is delighted to have been able to play a role in facilitating the development of the standard."

Previous attempts to introduce data exchange standards (for example between tax programs) have withered away within the intensely competitive practice software market. The IT Faculty and all involved in the project deserve applause for getting to this point, but the test of any standard such as this is market acceptance.

Would a functioning data exchange standard that let you extract client details from your Sage tax program into a Practice Engine time and fees/practice management environment make a major difference to you?

IT Zone will follow up this debate with the software developers when they are willing to talk publicly about the new standard. In the meantime, post your comments below and raise any issues you would like to know more about concerning the xPS.

John Stokdyk

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