The Open XML format struggles to wait for approval

Technology developed by Microsoft for the 2007 Office application package and competing directly with the OpenDocument open standard (ODF) faces many challenges ahead of the ISO vote on September 2.

ODF, currently used in the StarOffice product package and the open-source OpenOffice version of Sun Microsystems, was recognized by the international standard organization (ISO) in May 2006.

Microsoft refused to support ODF in the Office product suite. Instead, they launched a separate XML format system for electronic documents such as documents, spreadsheets, memos, charts . in November 2005.

Microsoft's actions have been criticized by companies like IBM and Sun Microsystems. The technology community also offers different opinions about whether it is necessary to exist to two standard formats.

Meanwhile, Microsoft's leadership affirmed that ODF and Open XML serve completely different purposes, so they won't affect each other. The company is optimistic about the ISO vote in September.

However, the Information Technology Standards Committee (INCITS) - ISO's representative organization in the US - said it has not decided whether to approve Open XML or not.