DIA EDM Conference Survey Results

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DIA EDM Conference Survey Results

1. What are the most serious issues that you face with your information? (check all that apply)

Response Percent

Re-creating / re-formatting the same information for multiple outputs

56.4%

Re-editing and re-formatting content to comply with e-sub tools

41.8%

Ensuring use of current and consistent product information

18.2%

Inefficient document creation, review and approval processes

41.8%

High translation costs

12.7%

Inability to reuse content among multiple deliverables

30.9%

Creating and managing inter- and intra-document links

34.5%

Other (please specify)

21.8%

It wasn't a big surprise that most people (56%) indicated that Re-creating / re-formatting the same information for multiple outputs was their biggest issue. This issue has been a significant reason why people look at Single Source Publishing (from one source of content, automatically publish or generate your documentation to print, help, web, presentation, XML, or any other output format without having to modify or make different versions of your content) as a solution. Most organizations look to utilization of XML technology to implement single source publishing.

Other reasons to consider an XML implementation include:

Separation of Content from Format

Traditional documents combine words and pictures with format and layout. In XML, content and format are separated and stored independently so they can be combined in different ways to produce different types of documents in different output formats.

Translation into Other Languages

Reduce the time and cost of translation into other languages by translating re-used content once and have it automatically reflected wherever it is used.

Reduce Cost

XML improves efficiency of creation, maintenance, and management of documentation content. Time taken to produce a page through traditional authoring tools can be halved with XML.

Reduce Time-Market

Reduction in production times are achieved through more efficient use of resources, re-use of content, controlling standards, eliminating duplication, and effectively managing creation, localization, and publishing processes.

Competitive Advantage

Lower overall costs and increased customer satisfaction through consistent, accurate documentation of all types, resulting in fewer calls to customer support. These advantages are achieved through providing the right information, at the right time, in the right format.

2. In evaluating potential improvements to how you handle information, please rate the importance of these issues: (check one per row)

Very Important

Somewhat Important

Not Important

Ease of maintaining information

90%

10%

Using Microsoft™ applications

32%

60%

Review and approval process

69%

29%

Reusing content across applications

65%

33%

Distributing information to many outputs

47%

Solving the issues sooner vs. later

78%

20%

Most people considered Ease of maintaining information as a very important criteria. And with the current XML tools, trained users find these tools easier to work with than legacy data tools. In fact, XML is well suited to address the other issues that conference attendees felt were most important:

Review and Approval process (divided into three main points :)

Collaboration and Teamwork
Being able to have many people simultaneously collaborating on a document. Involve more people in the documentation process, such as subject matter experts, application developers, translators, and trainers, without the fear of losing changes, damaging, or destroying your documents.
Controlled Authoring
Set and enforce your writing and branding standards to ensure the consistency and quality of your documents.
Security and Workflow
Control who in the organization can create, see, and use content at any stage of the content life-cycle, through drafts, reviews, translation, release, and archiving.

Reusing content across applications

The ability to re-use content across documents without copying, so that you can write it once and maintain it in a single place regardless of how many times it is used. Use content created for one purpose equally well in other contexts and for other purposes.

Distributing information to many outputs

This is another way of saying "Single Source Publishing"

Perhaps most surprising was the response that the issue needed to be solve 'sooner' rather than 'later'. This would indicate some frustration with the current approach and an eagerness to evaluate other options.

If you would like to learn more about how XML technology can solve many of the documentation issues prevalent in the life sciences industry, you can download a White Paper from our partner RWD Technology titled Holistic Management of Product Information Across the Product Lifecycle.

You can also contact Data Conversion Laboratory by phone (718)307-5767 or e-mail (info@dclab.com) and we will try and answer your questions and point you in the right direction.

If you are evaluating or implementing a XML system, we would appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about migration of your legacy content. We have worked with life sciences organizations on many different types of project including Labeling, Standard Response Letters, Clinical Study Reports, and Research Papers.


	DCL Library Articles, fact sheets, presentations and white papers


	Events

Content Management Strategies/DITA North America 2010 Conference,
April 19–21 2010, Santa Clara, California

2010 ATA e-Business Forum,
May 17–19, 2010, Seattle, WA