Bow Street Wins Directory Services Markup Language Backing

Computergram International, July 13, 1999

Bow Street Software Inc, one of three start-ups set up last year by ex Tivoli Systems Inc boss Frank Moss has persuaded IBM Corp, Microsoft Corp, Novell Inc, Oracle Corp and the Sun-Netscape Alliance to back its DSML Directory Services Markup Language as the basis for a new standard. The proposed standard is intended to make it easier to use and share directory information in XML-enabled applications, filling up one of the areas where XML has been somewhat weak.

DSML provides a way to use directory information without knowing the specific data formats of each directory. It will help extend the use of the LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol to web pages, the partners said, and help marry the uses of directory and XML technologies on e-commerce sites. Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based Bow Street has already developed much of the underlying technology for DSML as part of its Web Services Architecture. Its own business is helping sales and distribution companies establish internet based channel management systems.

The initial standard will be a subset of that work, on which all the partners can agree. It will focus initially on sharing directory content, rather than attempting to provide access to more complex directory functionality such as synchronized security, but will be gradually evolved over time. It can be integrated with other emerging XML vocabularies. The first public specification is likely to emerge in a few months time. A number of standards bodies are likely to be involved. Bow Street already has a DSML.org web site up and running, and plans to donate it to the new effort. Bow Street expects other members to join in the future.

Confusingly, Novell simultaneously launched its DirXML metadirectory technology (see related story). DirXML, it said, is focused on how data is moved into the directory, whereas DMXL looks at how it is reflected outside of the directory in schemas, the company said.

Bow Street was founded in January 1998 by Frank Moss and Jack Serfass, then at NT directory services company Preferred Systems Inc, but now president and CEO of Bow Street. Serfass sold Preferred to Computer Associates International Inc's Cheyenne Software unit back in 1996. Moss, who sold Tivoli to IBM and thereafter ran IBM's systems management operations, is also steering the initial launches of Austin, Texas-based internet customer relationship management firm Agillion Inc, and the New York-based cell phone audio information company VoiceMate.com.