Re: CMS for training, docs and help file outputs

I agree with Massytchev completely. You need to define your 
requirements in advance, preferably not just as a check list of 
features and functions. I have a few additions for things to think about below.

At 03:36 AM 12/23/2005, Massytchev Alexander wrote:
>Hi Julia,
>
>The market is full of CMS that can potentially satusfy your 
>documentation needs. Choosing a specific CMS obviously depends on 
>your requirements and budget.
>
>Is content re-use your only need?
>
>What about content storage? If your content is stored in a file 
>system, probably you have to think about a repository.
>
>Do you need to manage your workflow and content lifecycle? How about 
>managing images? Do you store them separately from the main content?

Are you looking at a content-management-based publishing tool or are 
you looking to manage content that is outside the publication stream 
(e.g., pdf files, Excel, multiple media)?

Do you want to support DITA?

Are you supporting interactive training materials that will require 
learner interactivity and evaluation of learning?

Is XML a priority?



>
>Budget is also a very important issue you should take into 
>consideration. A total cost of ownership includes not just a basic 
>license fee (that can be relatively low), but deployment, training, 
>support, and maintenance costs.

And it requires the cost of analyzing your content requirements, 
developing content models, developing a reuse strategy, developing 
workflow, content conversion.

>
>There are too many questions to ask before recommending you a CMS. 
>However, I can ! ;tell you about some mid-market vendors that 
>probably can offer you a solution. They are:
>
>- XyEnterprise, they have a product called Content@: 
><http://www.xyenterprise.com/>http://www.xyenterprise.com/
>- SiberLogic, an XML-based CMS: 
><http://www.siberlogic.com/>http://www.siberlogic.com/
>- Vasont, an XML-based CMS: 
><http://www.vasont.com/vasont/>http://www.vasont.com/vasont/
>- LiveLinx, they have a product called ConteX: 
><http://www.livelinx.com/>http://www.livelinx.com/

You've already mentioned AuthorIT, and I would add Astoria Software's 
product called Astoria http://www.astoriasoftware.com/.




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