S1000D describes itself variously as an “international specification for technical publication using a common source database”[[1]] and “an international specification for the procurement and production of technical publications”[[2]]. Essentially it is an XML specification designed to standardise data exchange and enable both producers and consumers to create, manage and exchange content without being tied to any one proprietary solution. It is predominantly used for defence and civil aviation purposes and increasingly in areas such as construction, shipping and the automotive industry. The specification itself notes that there is nothing to stop it being used for non-technical publications as well[2].