Quantum tech Docs is IETM Authoring tool used by 100 plus projects that is Akash Missile, Agni, BrahMos, MRSAM(IAF), Hindustan Ship Yard Limited, DRDO, ECIL, BDL, BEL and many more defence agencies to deliver as their IETM documentation solution technology partner.
2 . How are scanned manuals converted?
Using OCR + manual validation and structuring. Hardcopies must be good condition, scannable condition. If OCR cannot work, then we need to manually type the content.
OCR needs clear hardcopy which does not have strains and folding.
3 . Is manual effort still required?
Yes. Automation helps, but human validation is critical for accuracy.
4 . Can AI be used?
Yes, Quantum Tech Docs has AI feature enabled. But is used specifically for bigger systems like ships, missiles etc. It also needs high configuration hardware. Hence, regular systems does not need AI.
5 . What is the typical workflow?
Author → Review → QA → Publish → Acceptance → Deployment.
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.
This article describes the end-to-end process of the IETM development and distribution. By the end of reading this article, you will know about How to start an IETM project? Detailed steps for developing IETM What is the authoring tool What is IETM Viewer Understanding about IETM By this time, you may be familiar with what is IETM. If not please refer to the links mentioned here, before reading this article. Outline of IETM IETM for beginners What is IETM and What is Not IETM? We strongly recommend you go through the above 3 links (5 minutes of reading time) before reading the below content) I will start with an example so that you will understand how IETMs are developed. Let us assume, you have to send an electrical wiring diagram to your client, what do you do? First, you open Auto Cad, design it, and save it as .dwg file , which is a source file. You won’t share the source file, because the recipient might update or edit the file or the recipient might not have AUTO cad software to open. Hence you convert that drawing to PDF and share it with them so that they can view the drawing but not edit it. In another scenario, assume that you want your recipient to edit the file. So, you share them .dwg but your client can not edit it, as they might not have Auto cad software installed on their PC. To edit the drawing, they need Auto cad which is called an authoring tool. To create cad drawings, you need tools like auto cad etc. Similarly, to create an IETM you need an authoring tool. The authoring tool is a piece of software which is used to build or develop IETMs. Using this software we develop IETMs
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.
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.
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.
IETM - An interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) is a Technical Manual (eg. Maintenance, user, training, operations, etc.) prepared or authored in Digital forum on a suitable medium, by means of an automated authoring system, designed for electronic screen display to an end-user. IETP - An IETP is built on the outlined functionality that is described in S1000D Matrix. This specification was initially developed by the Aero Space and defence industries association of Europe (ASD). S1000D Jointly Produced by the following Organisations, their members and customers.
2 types of individuals will use IETM software. Users and Administrator. Let’s take a scenario where you (OEM) delivered one engine to some Shipyard. The engine will be handled by the Operator and also the Maintainers at the shipyard. They are actual end users. Along with Equipment, OEM also handovers PDF user manuals. When the number of PDF manuals is more and the manual page count is very big, then End users generally ask for IETM documentation. JSG 0852:2001 Basic Purpose of IETM: The basic purpose of IETM is for easy and quick access to the content. When an issue arises, the user should be able to reach that point in a few clicks. Using various features of IETM, especially search, users can reach the desired place in a single click. Users will access the IETM software through the workstations provided to them when the issue arises. IETM User Login: Using these credentials, the user will access the IETM. Based on user credentials, i.e. operator or maintainer, the related content will be displayed to the user. It means the Operator can access all the topics related to engine operations and the Maintainer can see all the topics related to the maintainer. In a general scenario, all the topics will be made available to both users. Because, the purpose of IETM is to refer when an issue arises, hence, restrict access to documents may not be a good idea. Administrator Login: (IETM) Their reporting head or some senior will act like an Administrator, who creates user names and passwords and shares them with the users. They are called Administrators. Administrators can see all the topics i.e. topics related to Maintainer and Operator. Whatever features are available to the User will also be available to the Administrator. Administrators can also use IETM like a user. Apart from that, the administrator has additional features than the user. They are, Administrators can create, edit, and delete users. All the user’s activity can also be viewed by the administrator. Admin can also see the annotations of users and feedback shared with an administrator. Other features like creating hotspots, Search index creations, print/Report creating etc In short, as the name indicates, the Administrator is the person who administrates IETM software at the user premises. Super Admin or Authoring Tool: Only User and Administrator Logins are given to end users i.e. Navy, Army, IAF. Super Admin will be maintained by OEM only, because OEM is the ultimate owner of the equipment and IETM documentation. Super Admin is not a Deliverable to the user. OEMs use this software to make IETM in-house. The authoring tool or Super Admin is software that is used to build IETM. Using Super Admin Log-in Credentials, OEM can build IETM or update IETM.
what is multimidia authoring
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).
give examples of web authoring.
Description: Quantum TechDocs Enables OEMs to create structured content. Functional Specifications: Create new Content/ database pages or modules Insert images, tables, and multimedia elements Tagging and cross-referencing features like hyperlinks, hotspots (Text, Image and Video based Hotspots) Generate index /TOC Create module boxes as per the systems requirements Creating of smart search Creating glossary, abbreviations
DVD authoring refers to the process of creating a DVD video that can be played on a DVD player. The DVD authoring software must conform to certain specifications.