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An IETM (Interactive Electronic Technical Manual) differs from a simple digital document because it is interactive, structured, and dynamically managed, whereas a simple digital document is usually just a static file such as a PDF or Word document.
In an IETM, the information is organized into data modules and linked sections, allowing users to easily search, navigate, and access specific procedures, diagrams, or parts information. It may also include interactive features such as hyperlinks, searchable content, embedded multimedia, and cross-references that help users quickly find the required information.
In contrast, a simple digital document only displays information in a fixed format and usually requires manual scrolling or reading through the entire document to find details. It does not provide advanced navigation, content management, or real-time updates.
In simple terms, an IETM is a smart, interactive system for managing and using technical manuals, while a digital document is just an electronic version of a printed manual.
Disclaimer: This answer is for educational purposes. The description is based on general features of IETM JSG 0852 in India, by Code and Pixels.
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IETM vs PDF Manuals?
Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) is a digital, searchable, and organized version of an interactive user manual, instruction manual, or User Handbook. IETMs provide easy access to technical information and enhance defense equipment maintenance, training, and support processes. It also acts as digital repository for the system IETM or Interactive electronic Technical Manual, as the name indicates, it is a Manual which is interactive and in the form of electronic/digital. Then PDF file is also electronic/digital, will that be called IETM? Yes, undoubtedly PDF is also IETM. It's Level 2 IETM. IETM Level 1 and 2 are PDF files. IETM Levels 3 and 4 are not any document like MS Word or PDF file. IETM is a combination of Software and database. All the manuals are converted to SQL database. Using IETM Viewer, the user can access the data i.e. manuals, drawings, images, etc. IETM has 3 modes. User mode where users can access the documents. Admin mode where Admin can create users and track the activities of users. Super admin or Authoring tool, where all the manuals are converted to database using this authoring tool.
How is an IETM different from scanned manual?
An IETM is searchable, cross-linked, role based and interactive, allowing users to quickly locate procedures, parts, or faults. IETM Level 1 and 2 are PDF files. IETM Levels 3 and 4 are not any document like MS Word or PDF file. IETM is a combination of Software and database. All the manuals are converted to SQL database. Using IETM Viewer, the user can access the data i.e. manuals, drawings, images, etc. IETM has 3 modes. User mode where users can access the documents. Admin mode where Admin can create users and track the activities of users. Super admin or Authoring tool, where all the manuals are converted to database using this authoring tool.
How is an IETM different from a PDF or scanned manual?
PDFs are static and linear. An IETM is searchable, cross-linked, role based and interactive, allowing users to quickly locate procedures, parts, or faults. IETM Level 1 and 2 are PDF files. IETM Levels 3 and 4 are not any document like MS Word or PDF file. IETM is a combination of Software and database. All the manuals are converted to SQL database. Using IETM Viewer, the user can access the data i.e. manuals, drawings, images, etc. IETM has 3 modes. User mode where users can access the documents. Admin mode where Admin can create users and track the activities of users. Super admin or Authoring tool, where all the manuals are converted to database using this authoring tool. Many people think that IETM is a separate format like MS Word (.DOC) or Portable Document File (PDF). IETM is a technical term used to represent but not a format. Even PDF file is also ETM. Normal scanned images compiled together is Level -1 IETM and PDF has hyperlinks, cross-references, indexing which means interactivity is called Level -2 IETM. Level -3 IETM uses XML or HTML and makes it much dynamic than PDF. Level -4 is database-based IETM. All the manuals are converted into the MYSQL database and stored. A viewer is used to access the data based on the user request, data will be pulled from the database and displayed to user. Level-1 and LEVEL -2 its PDF file. Level -3 HTML-based web application, LEVEL 4 is Databases based web application.
What defines an IETM Level 4 compared to Level 3?
IETM Level 4 is more advanced and interactive than Level 3. • Level 3 is a structured, hyperlinked digital manual. It organizes content into chapters and sections with search and navigation features, but it remains document based. • Level 4 is fully database driven. Content is stored as reusable data modules and dynamically generated based on user role, equipment configuration, or task. It supports interactive fault isolation, multimedia, and integration with maintenance or logistics systems. In brief: Level 3 = Hyperlinked digital manual Level 4 = Intelligent, interactive, database driven system Disclaimer: This answer is for educational purposes. The description is based on general features of IETM JSG 0852 in India, by Code and Pixels.
IETM for beginners/ I am new to IETM?
What is IETM: Interactive Electronic Technical Manual is your PDF file i.e. user handbook, technical manual only. It is called Level -1 IETM. IETM is one of the mandatory deliverables (DVD) along with any equipment to be supplied to Indian Defence. JSG is an agency that defines standards for every defense deliverable. JSG 0852:2015 is standard to prepare IETM documentation. (If you have heard about JSS 0251, it is the standard defined to design your UHBs or technical manuals. JSS describes the layout of the document. I.e. Front page design, table of content design, header and footer, index, a record of amendment sheet, the structure of the content/document,etc are defined in JSS. Similarly,JSG 0852 is for IETM documentation.) Level 2: (IETM) IETM is having cross-references to one section of PDF to another section cross reference using hyperlinks is Level -2 In Level 3, all your manuals will be converted into to HTML pages and arranged in a linear structure in the form a of Table of content, tree as per the original manual. Sections and sub-sections will be maintained as it is like in the original UHB. Hyperlinks. Next, the Previous buttons, search in page, manuals tab, and drawings tab will be available in Level -3. Level -4 is more advanced than Level -3. All the manuals are converted into a database. IETM viewer is a web application/ software to view this IETM Level -4. Using IETM Viewer software, the database will be accessed and viewed. Features of IETM LEVEL 4: IETM 4 has powerful features like Search, Advanced search, Module wise search filter, Related topics, Sequential next and previous, history, Dynamic Login, Glossary, keywords, annotations, bookmark, full screen, Hot spots (text, image, Video), hyperlinks, user dashboard, user history tracking, and many more features. Like PDF and MS word, this is not any document so that you can see a sample of 10 pages, etc. Names indicate technical manual but it is not any single file so that you can see a sample. If you see the software once, you will get 100 % clarity about IETM. If you want to see the sample please contact us at: 9849527706 and we will arrange a quick demo or software walkthrough of live projectsso that you get a fullunderstanding of the architecture of IETM
IETM for beginners/ I am new to IETM?
What is IETM: Interactive Electronic Technical Manual is your PDF file i.e. user handbook, technical manual only. It is called Level -1 IETM. IETM is one of the mandatory deliverables (DVD) along with any equipment to be supplied to Indian Defence. JSG is an agency that defines standards for every defense deliverable. JSG 0852:2015 is standard to prepare IETM documentation. (If you have heard about JSS 0251, it is the standard defined to design your UHBs or technical manuals. JSS describes the layout of the document. I.e. Front page design, table of content design, header and footer, index, a record of amendment sheet, the structure of the content/document,etc are defined in JSS. Similarly,JSG 0852 is for IETM documentation.) Level 2: (IETM) IETM is having cross-references to one section of PDF to another section cross reference using hyperlinks is Level -2 In Level 3, all your manuals will be converted into to HTML pages and arranged in a linear structure in the form a of Table of content, tree as per the original manual. Sections and sub-sections will be maintained as it is like in the original UHB. Hyperlinks. Next, the Previous buttons, search in page, manuals tab, and drawings tab will be available in Level -3. Level -4 is more advanced than Level -3. All the manuals are converted into a database. IETM viewer is a web application/ software to view this IETM Level -4. Using IETM Viewer software, the database will be accessed and viewed. Features of IETM LEVEL 4: IETM 4 has powerful features like Search, Advanced search, Module wise search filter, Related topics, Sequential next and previous, history, Dynamic Login, Glossary, keywords, annotations, bookmark, full screen, Hot spots (text, image, Video), hyperlinks, user dashboard, user history tracking, and many more features. Like PDF and MS word, this is not any document so that you can see a sample of 10 pages, etc. Names indicate technical manual but it is not any single file so that you can see a sample. If you see the software once, you will get 100 % clarity about IETM. If you want to see the sample please contact us at: 9849527706 and we will arrange a quick demo or software walkthrough of live projectsso that you get a fullunderstanding of the architecture of IETM
What Inputs Are Required to Make Ietm Levels?
To make IETM we need Inputs in the form of documents and a little guidance from Subject matter experts is needed from the OEM. IETM means Interactive electronic technical manuals. To make the IETM, we need all the manuals which are in electronic format. It means soft copies i.e. DOC files or PDF files of all the manuals finalized and reviewed by the relevant approval authority i.e. DGQC, MAG etc and all the Drawings, Images and Videos if you have any. Manuals Drawings Images / Videos We design, develop, and deploy Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETM) in compliance with both Indian defense standards (JSG 0852) and European Aviation Standard IETM S1000D. We offer our IETMs at every IETM Levels: IETM Level 1 and IETM Level 2 are PDF files. IETM Level 3, IETM Level 4 and IETM Level 5 Our IETM framework is created with open-source technologies, so there are no recurring license fees. It works with all popular browsers and devices and supports multiple operating systems (Windows and Linux).
What an IETM Is Meant to Be?
A professionally designed IETM is: A digital library A training aid A technical assistant A decision support tool In the field or during equipment malfunction, a soldier shouldn’t need to search through physical manuals or navigate complex CBT modules. A well-structured IETM should allow the user to: Search any term instantly across the database AND attached PDFs Access procedures, troubleshooting paths, drawings, videos, and checklists in one click Make faster, confident decisions under pressure When executed right, an IETM becomes a powerful operational asset.
What makes Code and Pixels a leading IETM company in India?
Code and Pixels is considered a leading IETM company in India due to its 125+ completed defence IETM projects, in-house IETM software (Quantum TechDocs), and strong experience working with defence organizations, OEMs, and research agencies.
What is the difference between an IETM viewer and an IETM authoring tool?
An IETM authoring tool and an IETM viewer serve distinct roles in the IETM lifecycle. An IETM authoring tool is used by technical authors and documentation teams to create, edit, structure, validate, and publish IETM content in compliance with standards such as IETM Level 4 or S1000D. It supports structured data modules, version control, configuration management, validation rules, and publishing workflows. An IETM viewer, on the other hand, is used by end users such as technicians, operators, and maintenance personnel to access and interact with the published IETM. It provides read only access with features like search, navigation, hyperlinks, procedures, illustrations, and multimedia. In essence, the authoring tool is responsible for building and maintaining the manual, while the viewer is responsible for delivering and using the manual during operations and maintenance. Disclaimer: This answer is for educational purposes. The description is based on general features of IETM JSG 0852 in India, by Code and Pixels.
What is IETM and What is Not IETM How to Access the IETM?
IETM Vs 3D Blowups There is a misconception about IETM. As the name indicates interactive, people assume that it is a 3D based on blowup software. Interactive means, users can browse or cross-refer or interact with the software to search on a particular topic/sub-topic. 3D Animations and blowups can be taken as separate tasks based on the complexity of the system and the level of blowups that you want. We have a separate division to take up such assignments. If your SCOPE /SOTR /RFP says IETM then stick to IETM only. These 3D animations, 3d Blowups, and virtual reality cost more than IETM cost. They will be good to see definitely but they are not part of IETM. If your client wants 3d and if the scope specifically mentions 3d then it is a separate deliverable but not IETM. There is no link between IETM and 3d. If you have 3D animations or blowups, you can integrate into IETM. Understand the difference between IETM VS CBT VS Virtual reality. Another important point to check is which IETM level the client/ SCOPE is asking for. Generally, they may ask for Level 3 or Level 4. (If your RFQ is 5 years old around 2016-17 then they may ask for Level 2 or 3) Level -3 costs less price than Level -4. If you have a choice to select, then select IETM -3 as it is very economical. The latest RFPs / SCOPE asks for Level -4 only. Costing of IETM Application/Software Design Level of IETM, is it Level 3 or Level 4 Cost will be based on the number of pages that are to be converted. The vendor calculates the cost per page. And a fixed cost of IETM viewer software. If you want to create IETM by yourself self then you also need to buy IETM authoring software. How to Access the IETM IETM is a web-based application like our bank software or any other web application. The graphic user interface will be provided to use IETM through which users can interact and get the desired data. Like all other standard software, Unauthorized users cannot access the IETM. IETM is Login login-based application. Only users having valid Login credentials can access the software. Based on the user log credentials data will be provided to the user. IETM has 2 types of users and one Administrator. Maintainer Operator If the operator logs in, the user gets all the content related to operator use, similarly if the maintainer logs in only maintenance-related content is visible for that user. Ideally, all the content is available for both users, because the purpose of the IETM is to refer to the manual to fix the issue. Administrators can create users who can see the user’s navigation and log-in history and interact with the users using user dashboards through Annotations.
How does Code and Pixels support NGOPV IETM requirements?
Code and Pixels support’s NGOPV IETM requirements by delivering defence compliant, Level-4 Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs) that are purpose built for the operational, maintenance, and lifecycle needs of modern naval platforms. Their approach aligns technical documentation with the digital transformation goals of NGOPV programs. • Deliver IETM Level 4 - compliant documentation aligned with Indian standards (JSG 0852) and shipyard specifications. • Seamlessly integrate and standardize OEM technical data into a single, structured IETM framework. • Provide the Quantum TechDocs IETM platform for interactive, searchable, and lifecycle ready technical manuals. • Ensure accuracy, compliance, and faster turnarounds through proven shipyard project experience. • Offer end-to-end support from content creation and validation to deployment, training, and sustainment. Overall, Code and Pixels enable’s NGOPV programs to meet mandatory IETM requirements while improving maintenance efficiency, safety, and mission readiness, making them a reliable digital documentation partner for next-generation naval vessels. Disclaimer: This answer is for educational purposes. The description is based on general features of IETM JSG 0852 in India, by Code and Pixels.
