Content reuse is an approach to document management in which written content is broken up into chunks (or modules) that are then reused in different locations. These content modules can be managed from one centralized database so that any updates or modifications made to a given module are reflected automatically in every location where that module appears.
Advantages
Eliminating the need to manage and maintain documents on an individual basis can drastically reduce costs, especially for documentation that includes chunks of similar content in different places (like help guides, instructions, manuals, etc.). Content reuse offers a great advantage for translated text, since a given module of content need only be translated once, no matter how many times it appears in a document set.
Managing your content from one centralized database also virtually eliminates the risk of inconsistencies in repeated content, since there is no way to “miss a spot” when making upgrades or modifications.
How DCL can help
DCL’s Harmonizer™ software can automatically identify identical or similar chunks of text so you can reduce the overall volume of your content. DCL also provides XML tagging and conversions to reuse-friendly DTDs like DITA and S1000D.
If you need help keeping track of your content, DCL’s established relationships with industry leaders in content management can ensure that you get the right content management system for your needs—and our in-depth knowledge of content management systems allows us to tailor your converted data to work optimally with whatever system you choose.
- Content Reuse Assessment - Fact Sheet
The Content Reuse Assessment is a quick and inexpensive test to help you understand the value of a content reuse strategy for your specific document collection. (1/2010)
http://www.dclab.com/content_reuse_assessment.asp - Harmonizer™ - Fact Sheet
Harmonizer™ is a software process to identify & eliminate redundant content in document collections. The software analyzes 1000's of documents at a time in order to objectively measure extent of duplication, locate duplicate and “near duplicate” content, eliminate extraneous content, and harmonize text variations. (1/2010)
http://www.dclab.com/content_reuse_harmonizer.asp
- Implementing DITA: Lessons Learned from Twelve DITA Implementations
This article summarizes findings from a series of interviews conducted with DITA implementers at twelve companies; the intent of the study was to focus on what really happened in live implementations and collect actual data to test perceptions that exist in the industry. (5/2011)
http://www.dclab.com/blog/2011/05/implementing-dit... - Documentation's Newest Role: Marketing Collateral
Documentation is increasingly valuable as a sales tool in itself, and companies are beginning to recognize it. (9/2010)
http://www.dclab.com/blog/2010/09/documentations-n... - The Dawning of the Age of Content-and why Content Convergence Matters
It's not just for movies and music, but also for technical documentation, policies & procedures, and educational materials. The push is on for more intelligent use and reuse of content assets. Will your company lead the pack or just keep up? (2/2008)
http://www.dclab.com/content_convergence.asp - USING EFFECTIVITY TO MEET THE SINGLE-SOURCE PUBLISHING CHALLENGE
Since the late 90s, there’s been a push to utilize XML to solve problems that desktop word processing tools can’t. This guest article from Barry Schaeffer of X.Systems discusses the benefits of using Effectivity to overcome these difficulties. (4/2006)
http://www.dclab.com/using_effectivity.asp - FUELING UP YOUR CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Installing a new content management system is only half the story; the other half is loading the content you're going to manage. DCL's Don Bridges reports. (5/2005)
http://www.dclab.com/cms_six_steps.asp - XML-BASED SPL DRUG LABELING STANDARD MAKES FOR SAFER
MEDICATION
The Structured Product Labeling (SPL) initiative from the FDA promises greater safety and will help pharmaceutical companies better disseminate critical drug information. DCLnews reports. (3/2005)
http://www.dclab.com/spl_standard.asp - PART 2: CONTENT REUSE - A KEY FACTOR IN ASSESSING ROI FOR CONTENT
MANAGEMENT
In part two of a guest article for DCLnews, content management guru Ann Rockley gives the lowdown on content reuse. Last month she talked about how to determine where reuse can positively impact your ROI; this issue she covers how to identify your percentage of reuse. (2/2005)
http://www.dclab.com/ann_rockley_roi_ii.asp - WEEDING OUT WASTED WORDS SAVES MONEY AND LIVES
Identifying duplicate paragraphs and phrases in documentation collections brings cost and maintenance savings and removes damaging errors - even ahead of the content management system. DCLnews reports. (2/2005)
http://www.dclab.com/reuse_wasted_words.asp - CONTENT REUSE - A KEY FACTOR IN ASSESSING ROI FOR CONTENT MANAGEMENT
In a guest article for DCLnews, content management guru Ann Rockley reveals how content reuse (write once, reuse content many times) can bring big cost savings, when combined with a content management system. (Part 1 of 2) (2/2005)
http://www.dclab.com/ann_rockley_roi.asp - CONTENT REUSE SLASHES COSTS OF STANDARD OPERATION PROCEDURES (SOPs)
Reusing and harmonizing content not only makes it easier to conform with FDA rules, it also slashes costs, writes Chris Whalley, of digital publishing firm Doxpub, in a special guest article for DCLnews. (12/2004)
http://www.dclab.com/sop_content_reuse.asp - CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - HOT OUT OF KINDERGARTEN - LOOK
SET TO MAKE THE GRADE
DCLnews interviews Tony Byrne of CMS Watch, who says content management systems (CMS) are where the web was five years ago - but are catching up fast. (9/2004)
http://www.dclab.com/content_reuse_tony_byrne.asp - Early Adopters
Content Reuse Identification (8/2004)
http://www.dclab.com/request_cont_reuse.asp - BEATING DATA REDUNDANCY
DCL study reveals up to 70% of data can be redundant in many firms and organizations. Big time and revenue savings result simply by identifying duplication and reusing content, writes Mark Gross, president of DCL. (7/2004)
http://www.dclab.com/contentreuse.asp - CONTENT REUSE - THE UNSEEN REVOLUTION
In an exclusive interview with DCLnews, content management expert JoAnn Hackos reveals how financial pundits, public utilities research organizations, and local governments are taking up XML powered reuse of content in a big way. (6/2004)
http://www.dclab.com/unseen_revolution.asp - CONTENT RE-USE - THE KILLER APP
Organizations with large pools of information can save 30% or more on the cost of maintaining document sets - that's big bucks! But for a number of reasons it's not yet the popular thing to do. (1/2004)
http://www.dclab.com/content_reuse.asp