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Publishers of graphics software for applications in computer-aided engineering and computer-aided design (CAE-CAD) have demonstrated reluctance to make their products compatible with graphics standards in spite of the efforts by a few software companies and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The first standard adopted by ANSI in 1984 is the Graphics Kernel System (GKS) for high-level monitor interface and committees are currently studying other standards including: Virtual Device Interface (VDI) or Computer Graphics Interface (CGI) and the Programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphical Standard (PHIGS) for more functionality in the CAE-CAD environment. Some companies whose products are more or less compatible with these standards include: the GSS-Tolkit Kernel System and the GSS-Toolkit by Graphic Software Systems; the Nova*GKS from Nova Graphics International; IBM's Personal Computer Graphical Kernel System and Personal Computer Graphics Development Toolkit; and the Halo package from Media Cybernetics. Two reasons given by software developers against the standards are that they diminish performance and result in a lack of functionality.

The cartridge tape drive industry offers one-half and one-fourth inch tape drives. The QIC group for one-fourth inch tape drives meets regularly to promote standard formats and interfaces. The QIC-24 standard defines the recording format for DC-300 XL-DC-600 A cartridges. The QIC-36 interface consists mostly of signals to control parameters. The QIC-44 includes some intelligence. The QIC-02 standard specifies the interface between a host and the QIC-36 drive interface. The QIC-50 standard extends bit and track densities. The QIC group is also concerned with products for the PC market and products matching the form factors of the sub-4 inch Winchester. Some manufacturers are working with ANSI in an attempt to set standards for one-half inch cartridges.