Benefits

The Eclipse Shipdex for Arbortext application makes it very easy for both experienced and inexperienced Arbortext users to become very productive in generating S1000D Data Modules which conform to the Shipdex Protocol.

Guided Authoring

Eclipse Shipdex guides the Technical Author through the process of authoring content in the Shipdex Protocol version of S1000D without needing to know the intricacies of the Standard or Protocol. This leaves the Author free to focus on generating quality information. The Protocol limits the Author to the use of Descriptive, Procedural and IPD Data Module types only and this is respected by the Eclipse application.

In common with other S1000D Projects the content and structure of a number of attributes has been defined in the Shipdex Protocol. This Eclipse application is supplied with these values pre-defined. This means that only specific project items will need to be added.

Multiple Output Support

Eclipse Shipdex harnesses both the power of Arbortext as well as its own functionality to provide an excellent set of formatting and output choices. Items like Table of Contents, List of Figures, Tables and Cross References can be generated or de-selected for specific types of document output. The application provides high quality output for PDF and print as outlined in the S1000D specification as modified by the Shipdex Protocol.

Data Reference Manager

To improve the accuracy of data entry for items such as references to other Data Modules, Insertion of Graphics, Supplies, Spares and Support Equipment, Mekon has provided a tailored version of its Data Reference Manager to comply with the Shipdex Protocol rules. The Eclipse application is provided with an interface which allows the content of the Data Reference Manager to be changed and/or added to as required. The database tables for the Data Reference Manager may be located on a network to enable several authors to work with the same source information.

View DRM demo.

CSDB Connection Layer

As part of the application Mekon has developed an interconnectivity layer which permits connection to Common Source Database applications from Third Parties. Currently the Eclipse Create for S1000D application is provided with layers for Corena Life*S1000D and ADG R4i CSDBs. This interconnectivity layer permits Mekon to rapidly develop connections to other CSDB applications provided the suppliers of these will provide the means of accessing the underlying database.

How the application is supplied

The Eclipse Shipdex application is supplied in two forms.

• Standalone – In this form the application is standalone and is designed for use by a company that does not have the Eclipse S1000D for Arbortext application.
• Plug-In – In this form the application is provided as a Plug-In to the Eclipse S1000D for Arbortext application. This form is designed for those who already have the standard S1000D application. Because of the different business rules aspect a menu item is provided to switch the plug-in on or off as appropriate.

Custom Development

The plug-in technology allows project specific add-ons to be developed that will allow additional formatting rules to work alongside or overwrite the S1000D formatting required.

Benefits

The Eclipse Shipdex for FrameMaker application makes it very easy for both experienced and inexperienced FrameMaker users to become very productive in generating S1000D Data Modules which conform to the Shipdex Protocol.

Guided Authoring

Eclipse Shipdex guides the Technical Author through the process of authoring content in the Shipdex Protocol version of S1000D without needing to know the intricacies of the Standard or Protocol. This leaves the Author free to focus on generating quality information. The Protocol limits the Author to the use of Descriptive, Procedural and IPD Data Module types only and this is respected by the Eclipse application.

In common with other S1000D Projects a the content and structure of a number of attributes has been defined in the Shipdex Protocol. This Eclipse application is supplied with these values pre-defined. This means that only specific project items will need to be added.

Multiple Output Support

Eclipse Shipdex harnesses both the power of FrameMaker as well as its own functionality to provide an excellent set of formatting and output choices. Items like Table of Contents, List of Figures, Tables and Cross References can be generated or de-selected for specific types of document output. In-line applicability statements and page effectivity blocks can be automatically generated as needed as well as project or product specific attribute labels. The application provides high quality output for PDF and print as outlined in the S1000D specification as modified by the Shipdex Protocol.

Data Reference Manager

To improve the accuracy of data entry for items such as references to other Data Modules, Insertion of Graphics, Supplies, Spares and Support Equipment, Mekon has provided a tailored version of its Data Reference Manager to comply with the Shipdex Protocol rules. The Eclipse application is provided with an interface which allows the content of the Data Reference Manager to be changed and/or added to as required. The database tables for the Data Reference Manager may be located on a network to enable several authors to work with the same source information.

View DRM demo.

CSDB Connection Layer

As part of the application Mekon has developed an interconnectivity layer which permits connection to Common Source Database applications from Third Parties. Currently the Eclipse Create for S1000D application is provided with layers for Corena Life*S1000D and ADG R4i CSDBs. This interconnectivity layer permits Mekon to rapidly develop connections to other CSDB applications provided the suppliers of these will provide the means of accessing the underlying database.

How the application is supplied

The Eclipse Shipdex application is supplied in two forms.

• Standalone – In this form the application is standalone and is designed for use by a company that does not have the Eclipse S1000D for FrameMaker application.
• Plug-In – In this form the application is provided as a Plug-In to the Eclipse S1000D for FrameMaker application. This form is designed for those who already have the standard S1000D application. Because of the different business rules aspect a menu item is provided to switch the plug-in on or off as appropriate.

Custom Development

The plug-in technology allows project specific add-ons to be developed that will allow additional formatting rules to work alongside or overwrite the S1000D formatting required, this has already be done for projects like Tiger, JSF and Hark.

Skills M5 is a simple but comprehensive online learning management system - ideal for companies creating and delivering their own training to staff, clients or the public. This competency-based training system provides SCORM-compliant interactive courseware.

R4i Workbench is a browser-based, forms driven authoring and collaboration tool for non-technical authors and engineering contributors. Quickly and easily create new content or re-use existing content, no matter where you are based.

R4i BuildPoint provides Configuration Management, Asset Management, Product Lifecycle Management and Technical Documentation for manufacturers of complex assets. Perfect for Defense, Aerospace, Manufacturers, Rail, Mining, Shipping, Energy, Oil & Gas, Automotive and Heavy Industries.

Many organisations do not have access to an S1000D compliant CSDB or indeed have the need for the full functionality of a CSDB. Some of our clients have been asking Mekon to provide some of the critical functions that CSDBs provide without the expensive overhead often associated with such systems. For some time a DRM productivity tool has been incorporated into the Eclipse S1000D for Arbortext application which users have found to be an extremely useful addition to the application, speeding up the production of Data Modules and reducing risk of errors. 

This tool has been updated and is now included in Eclipse S1000D for FrameMaker as part of this release.

Data Reference Manager (DRM) will help users with;

• Insertion of references to other Data Modules
• Insertion of Illustrations
• Insertion of references to Technical Publications
• Insertion of Supplies, Spares and Support Equipment

As with other aspects of the FrameMaker application, provision has been made for configuring and automatic switching between, several independent projects driven by the MODELIC part of the Data Module Code. The Database Tables can reside either on the client machine or on a network so that many authors can simultaneously access the information.

The Authoring Interface detects the insertion of Reference to Data Modules, Reference to Technical Publications, Illustrations, Supplies, Spares and Support Equipment and allows pre-defined information to be automatically inserted. This pre-defined information resides in the supplied database. If set up to do so, the selection of the appropriate ICN from the database will automatically insert the selected illustration in the DM. The population and maintenance of the database tables is carried out via the Management Interface.

The Management Interface permits the user to define Data Module Code and Illustration Control Number structures for each project required. The Database stores Data Module Codes (for the insertion of Reference Data Modules), Illustration Control Numbers together with the associated filenames in addition to Supply, Spares and Supplied Equipment details. These last three items can ensure that Authors will only insert approved details into the Data Modules. For each of these items it is possible to modify and delete individual entries in the Database as well as import this information from an Excel Spreadsheet (sample spreadsheets are provided). The Management Interface does not require the installation of any third party applications.

As part of the re-engineering process interface layers have been incorporated which make the integration of third part CSDB application much easier to create and, at the same time, presenting a common interface for the Author. Currently the application can be readily integrated with the ADG R4i CSDB Server and Corena Life*S1000D. If a Client requires connection to another CSDB, and assuming the CSDB provider is willing to allow integration, Mekon can develop the necessary plug-in.

The Mekon Eclipse Suite of applications comprises the following main products.

• Eclipse S1000D for FrameMaker
• Eclipse S1000D for Arbortext Editor
• Eclipse BookBuild
• Eclipse iSpec 2200 (A)CMM/SB
• Eclipse Crew
• Eclipse Batch to PDF
• Eclipse Shipdex for FrameMaker
• Eclipse Shipdex for Arbortext

The Eclipse S1000D and iSpec 2200 (A)CMM/SB provide editing environments which are both clear and concise, and are straightforward and intuitive to use. The strength of these applications is their ability to obtain printed page layouts for the various structured files which conform to the relevant specification layout instructions.

Users of the Mekon applications have a variety of editing environment preferences from WYSIWYG to fully expanded SGML/XML ‘element tags’

Both Eclipse S1000D for FrameMaker and Arbortext provides authoring and printing environments for Data Modules complying with Issue 1 change 6, Issue 2.0 to 2.3 and upto issue 4.01.

Eclipse BookBuild allows users to create "hard copy" publications from ASD S1000D Data Modules. The user has almost complete control over the structure of the publication. The application also provides the ability to combine multiple Data Modules within a single chapter (DM Type and Issue restrictions apply). Outputs are availabe to provide a directly connected printer output as well as PDF files. (Eclipse S1000D for FrameMaker is also required)

Eclipse iSpec 2200 (A)CMM/SB provides authoring and printing environments for (Abbreviated) Component Maintenance Manuals ((A)CMM) and Service Bulletins (SB). The application complies with a wide range of SGML DTD versions.

Eclipse Crew is a specialised application for the editing and publishing of Aircrew Manuals, Operating Data Manual and fully formatted Flight Reference Cards. It can handle multi-section and multi-chapter publications. The applicatin has the ability to import ASD S1000D Crew Data Modules and convert them to the JSP 543 format (Eclipse Create S1000D for FrameMaker is required for this function).

Eclipse SGML/XML to PDF provides a simple way to create PDF files from varying quantities of SGML or XML files. The application creates a PDF file combining all the individual SGML or XML files. Book Marks are created to allow for rapid navigation between the files.
 

Mekon’s mTools plug-in for Adobe FrameMaker is now available, giving additional functionality including:

• remove empty paragraphs
• delete tabs within a text selection
• delete all catalogue formats, table formats, paragraph styles, character styles and conditional text formats
• show used paragraph formats on specific pages
• generate a printable document detailing files contained in a book
• perform find and replace on multiple lists of words in batch across a directory of files automated indexing

In addition mTools now incorporates mTools plus and EDDTools, providing more functions.

mTools plus functions include:

• perform find and replace on multiple lists of words in batch across a directory of files automated indexing
• create a document with multiple spelling versions of the same word, to be displayed based on conditional text
• perform batch deletion of markers within a document
• create an index by automatically assign index markers to multiple words in a document
• print a document based on different page order and paper size

EDDTools is designed for EDD authors working in a structured environment. This component provides extra functions including:

• import and merge element definitions from active EDDs
• view SGML files in text format within FrameMaker
• view the element definitions of highlighted text in the document
• for any piece of text, generate the rules for the associated element in the EDD

mTools is under continued development and a number of extra functions are already planned for future releases. We would welcome any suggestions that you may have for additional tools or general comments about this feature.

Ask us for a demo.

PTC Arbortext Editor is a word processor for XML, yet provides all the power and flexibility authors need to create audience-specific publications efficiently. Authors can attach audience-specific information to content for producing customised publications, and automatically insert and update data from databases, business systems, and other data sources.

Arbortext Editor supports DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture), which incorporates a number of best practices and increases an organisation’s ability to respond to new requirements by allowing adaptations of an XML application, while remaining compatible with all existing downstream applications.

Ovidius TCToolbox is a flexible and efficient SGML / XML-based Technical Publication Content Management System that is used by customers all over Europe. They use TCToolbox to manage information modules, translations, graphics, meta data, variables, and product information. TCToolbox assists through all phases of building documentation and publishing in various formats and languages.

XMetaL Author Enterprise

XMetaL Author Enterprise helps you get to market faster by bringing structure and automation to the process of content creation. Using XML standards such as the Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA), XMetaL enables authors and contributors to collaborate effectively—and to repurpose higher-value information products into the myriad of languages and formats your customers demand.  When you facilitate the sharing and reuse of content across the enterprise, you improve content quality, increase staff efficiency, reduce publishing costs and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Adobe RoboHelp 8 software provides a fast and easy way for technical communicators to build, manage, and publish professional help systems and knowledge bases. Create powerful, searchable help systems and knowledgebases for desktop and web-based applications that incorporate standard and advanced help features, including tables of contents, indexes, glossaries, context-sensitive help, graphics, Adobe Captivate® show-me demos and how-to illustrations, Adobe Flash® animations, sound, and more.

RoboHelp 8 offers essential new features including support for automation, single sourcing, and closer integration with Adobe FrameMaker® and Microsoft Word software. You can also provide users with enhanced search functionality and publish your content to multiple platforms — even as an Adobe AIR® application.

Adobe® Technical Communication Suite 3.5 is a complete single-source authoring toolkit with multichannel, multidevice publishing capabilities. Develop standards-compliant content with Adobe FrameMaker® 10 software, publish in various formats with Adobe RoboHelp® 9 software and Adobe Captivate® 5.5 workflows, collaborate with reviewable PDF files, incorporate images using Adobe Photoshop® CS5, and add demos and simulations using Adobe Captivate 5.5.

Adobe Technical Communication Suite includes

Adobe FrameMaker 10
Author and publish technical documentation

Adobe RoboHelp 9
Easily create professional help systems and knowledgebases

Adobe Captivate 5.5
Rapidly create engaging learning experiences

Adobe Acrobat 9
Deliver the richest, most engaging PDF communications

Adobe Photoshop CS5
Create powerful images with the professional standard

Adobe Presenter 7
Rapidly create high-impact Adobe Flash presentations and eLearning courses from PowerPoint

Adobe FrameMaker is a powerful authoring and publishing solution for technical communicators. It offers a visual user interface, unified workflows, and a template-based authoring environment to simplify content delivery and conform to organizational requirements for consistency and branding.

FrameMaker has been the ‘defacto standard’ for technical authoring for over a decade. Mekon has been working with and training on FrameMaker for all that time, and has multiple case studies to our name that utilise it.

Mekon provide services like:

• Training on unstructured and structured (EDDs and templates) FrameMaker
• FrameMaker template development and typesetting
• FrameMaker content conversion (FM > HTML, XML, other)
• FrameMaker integration and extension

FrameMaker is now part of the Adobe Technical Communication Suite.

See our related items for technologies that we’ve developed on top of FrameMaker and related case studies.

Advanced builder and viewer

With Corena IETP you can quickly and easily build a publication set (IETP/IETM) and view it with a web browser. Corena IETP is a browser-based web and CD-ROM distribution environment that provides an identical technology framework for both stand-alone and online use. It works with all standard web browsers and is highly configurable, so you can adapt it to fit your data handling processes.

Download - Corena IETP Datasheet

Corena IETP:

• runs in a standard Internet Explorer browser and uses XML to dynamically render documents
• has a familiar look and feel so it’s easy to learn
• features revision highlighting, content filtering, and on-demand pop-ups with related information

Build, render and deploy – it couldn’t be easier

Corena IETP is both a builder and a browser. The Java-based builder transforms source data into a deployable image for the browser. The browser provides a client runtime framework for document suite images generated by the builder.

Benefits

The Eclipse S1000D for Arbortext application makes it very easy for both experienced and inexperienced Arbortext users to become very productive in generating S1000D Data Modules. The ability to connect to third party CSDB products provides good integration for functions such as insertion of Illustrations, Reference to other Data Modules, Supplies, Spares and Tools.

Custom Development

The plug-in technology allows project specific add-ons to be developed that will allow additional formatting rules to work along side or overwrite the S1000D formatting required.

Structured Authoring

Validation against the allowed structure is automatic and the various S1000D SGML and XML Schema versions are fully supported. Element definitions are easily available with a single key press.

Control and Re-use of Frequently used SGML/XML
Fragments

Every manual will contain a series of common structural items that are repeated throughout the data set. Items such as regularly used tables, common warnings, cautions and notes or regular phrases can be time consuming to recreate on each usage and encourages inconsistency. Eclipse S1000D provides a tool for authors to identify and easily reinsert these parts into the document saving time and improving accuracy.

Multiple Output Support

Items like Table Of Contents, List of Figures, Tables and References Tables can be automatically generated or deselected for specific types of document output. Eclipse S1000D has been designed to give the highest possible quality output for PDF and print as outlined in the S1000D specification, using the PTC Print Composer.

Maintenance Requirements

Support equipment can be inserted by selection from a predetermined list saving the author time and improving the quality of the publication through the use of automatically inserted approved data and speeding up the process of creating Preliminary Requirements Lists.

Data Reference Manager

A database is provided with the S1000D solution to enhance the user experience and maximize authoring efficiency. The database allows you to store lists of Data Modules, Technical Publications, etc. This means companies who don’t have a compliant Common Source Database (CSDB) are still assured of consistency and control when a spares table or cross reference is inserted. Linking to a third party CSDB is also possible.

CSDB Connection Layer

As part of the application Mekon has developed an interconnectivity layer which permits connection to Common Source Database applications from Third Parties. Currently the Eclipse Create for S1000D application is provided with layers for Corena Life*S1000D and ADG R4i CSDBs. This interconnectivity layer permits Mekon to rapidly develop connections to other CSDB applications provided the suppliers of these will provide the means of accessing the underlying database.

Download - Eclipse S1000D for PTC Arbortext Editor Datasheet

For more information contact Mekon.

So that we can gauge the interest in our product, please fill in the short form below. When you submit this you will be forwarded on to a page from which you can download the sample files.

Thank you for filling out the brief details.

Below are the links to the PDF files (in zip form):

• Service Bulletins/Service (News)letters (SB/SNL/SL) - 360kb
• Abbreviated Component Maintenance Manuals (ACMM) - 12Mb
• Component Maintenance Manuals (CMM) - 12.5Mb

Revised: November 2009