To run a successful business in today's global economy, there needs to be a focus on innovation, problem solving, and growth.

When it comes to the Internet, open standards means a group people working together openly to collaboratively develop solutions for addressing common requirements and goals.

Often they work together in committees through open standards organizations, such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) or the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

Open Standards make good business sense

Open standards mean choice. You'll have more choices of technology to help you to reduce risk, make lasting solutions, and obtain flexibility.

Open standards mean less risk. Since multiple vendors can support open standards, you don't have to rely on just one proprietary vendor.

Open standards leads to lasting option. Vendors come, and vendors go, but due to their flexible nature, open standards remain durable. With vendors competing to implement and help you use open standards, your vendor options are more flexible.

Easier Integration. Two people talking the same language is simple. Two people talking through a translator is not simple. Open standards are a means of creating common ways all our systems can talk to each other.

Increase Return on Investment. While there's a number of ways to maximize a return on investment, the most obvious are to decrease cost, increase benefits, and shorten production time. Open standards increase vendor options, lead to a competitive market, and therefore lead to a quicker time to market.

What kinds of businesses have created standards to meet their needs?

• Automotive
• Healthcare
• Electronic
• Banking
• Retail
• Telecommunications