When the future arrives, at least one group believes that XML will remain part of the scene instead of becoming old news.  A fresh WinterGreen Research report covering “opportunities, strategies, and forecasts” through 2014 paints XML as a significant force.

Admittedly, we live in uncertain times; banks are folding, the economy’s crumbling, and it’s hard to say what else is around the corner.  So the WinterGreen forecast could be completely wrong.  But it’s all the more reassuring that it would be released at a time like this, making XML look like the one solid bet.

An ebizQ article explains that the report, titled “Business Process Management Market,” says “systems are poised for significant growth as people move to purchase systems able to initiate new marketing and Web based applications based on XML and Web technologies.”

Also, “The report shows that business process management promises to drive enterprise markets going forward by implementing automated process more efficiently. . . .  Business processes are enhanced by the ability to interconnect a range of different applications systems including general ledger, order entry, inventory, process control, and human resources.”

So, regardless of how much you like new things, get used to XML.  And regardless of how much you like XML, embrace it a bit more for providing a big dose of long-term job security.