For sure, SPML could use a shot in the arm. But there's a good reason it keeps popping up in all the RFPs. People want their systems to interoperate. At best, they want them to interoperate based on standards so all their components will be plug and play. For provisioning connection points, SPML is the only game in town. So people are asking for SPML with the intention of getting the thing everyone wants SPML to be. So the question is: will SPML be what everyone wants, or will something else pop up to assume that role?