SPML is an OASIS standard based on the concepts of Directory Service Markup Language.
The OASIS Provisioning Services Technical Committee uses the following definition of "provisioning":[1] Provisioning is the automation of all the steps required to manage (setup, amend and revoke) user or system access entitlements or data relative to electronically published services.The goal of SPML is to allow organizations to securely and quickly set up user interfaces for Web services and applications, by letting enterprise platforms such as Web portals, application servers, and service centers generate provisioning requests within and across organizations.
This can lead to automation of user or system access and entitlement rights to electronic services across diverse IT infrastructures, so that customers are not locked into proprietary solutions.
The DSMLv2 Profile may be more convenient for applications that access mainly targets that are LDAP or X500 directory services.
The XSD Profile may be more convenient for applications that access mainly targets that are web services.