Driving Efficiencies with Single-Sourcing
Axon, a Pro Mach brand and leader in the worldwide packaging industry, provides packaging systems that are customized to meet the unique needs of each of its customers. Axon needed a more efficient way to create a custom Installation, Operation and Maintenance manual (IOM) based on the bill of materials for each customer order.
There were a number of goals related to optimizing this process:
Axon chose InfoPros based upon the experience it had working with other mid-sized industrial companies and its ability to design and implement a solution, then provide onsite training to Axon personnel as well as any required ongoing support.
After analyzing Axon’s business needs and existing processes, InfoPros’ Consulting Services group recommended an approach using a low-cost, off-the-shelf tool that provided most of the benefits associated with big-dollar documentation platforms. This approach minimized the upfront investment by Axon while providing the capabilities and cost savings that Axon sought.
InfoPros Consulting Services implemented a ‘single-sourcing’ platform at Axon. Now, as new IOMs are created, all new content is tagged and added to a library of Axon content (e.g., procedures, warranty information, diagrams and digital photos). The content can easily be pulled into new or existing IOMs.
Specifically, InfoPros:
InfoPros developed a DITA/XML solution using Adobe FrameMaker. DITA/XML and FrameMaker allow Axon to ‘chunk’ their content into easily reusable components that can be quickly developed and efficiently assembled into a customized manual.
Mid-size industrial “companies have the same needs and requirements as many F500 companies, but can’t justify the six-figure investment required to implement custom content management system (CMS) platforms,” said Rob Vaglia, InfoPros VP, Consulting Services. “Our job is to figure out how to get 80% of the benefit associated with implementing a CMS but with one-tenth of the budget.”