IETM is a Software/ Web Application Having Database
We would like to clarify here that, of course, the IETM name indicates technical manual, but actually it is not any document i.e. PDF, MS Word, or another document format. It’s a software/Web Application where all the manuals are dynamically hyperlinked using an SQL database. You may call it a Web Application, Software having Database (SQL CSDB, Common Source DataBase)
As the name suggests, it’s interactive and used in electronic devices i.e. systems, PDAs, etc.
IETM Explained in Simple Terms
Not clear yet, let me put it in another way. When we purchase a Car, we get a user Hard copy of the manual has some 1000 pages. Similarly, when OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) delivers some big vehicle or machinery or systems having a lot of subsystems, then along with the Physical components, OEMs also delivers hard copies of manuals.
Hard copies may be related to the user manual, maintenance manual, troubleshooting, Operations, Man-machine Interface, etc. Then the volume of hard copies would reach 3000 per subsystem.
For large systems i.e. Missiles, Ships, Radars, etc will have the number of subsystems then OEMs have to give around 20,000 – 50,000 hard copies to Army/Navy/Airforce.
Along with hard copies OEMs also have to supply, Training Videos and Commuter based training, and soft copies of manuals(PDFs).
Now, when trouble arises, it’s really difficult to refer 30,000 pages and cross-refer few sections which are in separate hard copies in stipulated time.
How Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) is Being Used?
In this scenario, IETMs have evolved as saviors. IETMs are electronically combined and given hyperlinks. We may consider PDF files as Level 1, Indexed PDFs as Level 2, HTML Based indexed files will be considered as Level -3. Levels -1 and 2 or no more used as deliverables. Level -3 can be used when the pages are 3000 to 4000.
When pages are more than 25,000 then to access faster, the Database plays a major role. Content / all manuals are converted into the SQL database (CSDB – Common Source DataBase) and hierarchically organized with User management and content management and authoring functionalities
Levels Usage in Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM)
The software that is used to manage thousands of pages is called IETM Level 4. Based on the complexity, the number of pages either Level 3 or Level 4 is used. Level -5 also exists with more functionality i.e. intelligent search, user activity tracking, and other advanced navigation features.
JSG – 0852:2001 is the Indian Standard of IETM and s1000d is the European standard of IETM
We are proud to be in association with Indian Defense. CODE AND PIXELS IETM Framework has been successfully used by Army, Navy, and Air force since 2013. We have empaneled vendors to supply software to DRDO, ASL, BDL, ECIL, and many other OEMs who supply systems and subsystems to various Indian Defense agencies.
Code and Pixels has developed Robust Framework and authoring tools and we have successfully executed 25 + IETMs design and Development projects