1. In a database management system having an XML exchange mechanism defined by an XML schema, a method of receiving data from external content providers, comprising: defining an XML provider content file format in accordance with said XML schema; providing said XML provider content file format to said external content providers; receiving a provider file from said external content providers that includes locations of a plurality of XML instance documents, each having a structure in accordance with said XML provider content file format; and importing content from said plurality of XML instance documents into said database management system.