Today at ISA 2001, the annual conference of the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society, Microsoft Corp. announced the Microsoft� BizTalk� Server 2000 CIDX Software Development Kit (SDK). The BizTalk SDK will provide chemical companies with a powerful solution enabling rapid integration of applications, platforms and businesses within and across organizational boundaries, using the chemical industry�s core XML protocols developed by the Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX). "Chem eStandards reduce the time, cost and complexity of making XML-based connections," said Patricia Simmons, executive director of CIDX. "Active participation of software suppliers such as Microsoft is critical to the success of Chem eStandards." CIDX Chem eStandards grew out of broad standards for high-tech manufacturing developed by the multi-industry consortium RosettaNet. A founding member of RosettaNet, Microsoft announced the Microsoft BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet in April 2001, providing the software adapters and server platform needed to use RosettaNet standards and thereby integrate applications and supply chain partners and enable orchestration of complex, collaborative business processes.