IETM for beginners - A Quick Guide to IETM
The main objective of this page is to give a quick insight into IETM. You may have many assumptions related to IETM. We tried to cover all the aspects related to IETM.
Interactive Electronic Technical Manual, in short, is called IETM. If you are a supplier of defence then along with the system/equipment you also need to provide training aids like CBT, Charts and blowup diagrams, Video films, Training work Modules and a few sets of Hard copies of the manuals and IETM.
Till 2015, mainly Hardcopies and PDFs in DVDs used to be in deliverables. From 2015 onwards IETM is used in RFQ/SOTR/SCOPE as a deliverable.
Let’s understand the meaning of the IETM first.
| Manual | Manual means any literature organized or written in a prescribed manner to guide the user |
|---|---|
| Technical Manual | This means the literature is technical, like user manuals, maintenance manuals etc. Hard copy |
| Electronic Technical Manual | This means the manual is available in the form of an electronic version which simply means digital format or softcopy. It can be a PDF file or a database-driven software application |
| Interactive Electronic Technical Manual |
Let us first understand the meaning of Interactive. The meaning of interactive is two people or things influencing each other. Allowing a two-way flow of information between an electronic device /computer and a user; responding to a user’s input. Involving the actions or input of a user. Especially It means when the Electronic User manuals Interact and respond with the user, that is you, it will become an Interactive Electronic Technical manual. So, how will the Manual respond to You and your question? Let’s see |
Interactive features will be like.
→ Navigation
- Linear navigation (moving in the fixed or pre-defined path..e next – previous topics
- Non-liner navigation ( it means the user can go to any topic randomly)
- Page Search
- Global search
- Best matched
- Content tree
- Related topics
- Core IETM
- Documents
- Drawings
→ Interactivity
- Hyperlinks
- Hot Spots
- Text hotspot
- Image hotspot
- Video Hotspot
→ Bookmarks
→ Annotation
The documents and pages are many hence, for easy and fast accessibility complete content is converted and stored as a database. Whenever the user wants some information, IETM software produces the information in a fraction of a second.
IETM is a combination of software applications and databases.
What is the use or purpose of the IETM?
Any manual’s purpose is to give information related to the equipment to the end user for quick reference.
All the technicality is written in detail so that when an issue arises, the user can refer to the manual, as every time OEM or technical person or subject matter expert might not be available on the spot to resolve the issue.
If the manual has 10 pages users can refer easily. But any system used by the defence will have multiple manuals and thousands of page counts and many times a user has to cross-refer between manuals, intra-manual and inter-manual to resolve the issue.
Referring to 10- 15 hard-copy or even soft-copy books simultaneously will be difficult and time-consuming. Using IETM software, users can solve in a single click and seconds.
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.
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.
In any case, Only OEM has the right to update or modify the content. Users can only refer to the content.
What inputs are needed from OEM to create IETM
- All the softcopies of user manuals to be converted to IETM
- All images Videos, and drawings to be integrated into IETM
- Table of contents/tree structure
- Subject matter expert to resolve technical clarifications
All the manuals should be editable i.e. open files which does not have passwords or Locks and copy-protected PDFs.
Minimum Hardware Requirements for optimal performance of IETM
- NO High-end hardware or servers are required to run IETM. However, if more concurrent users, then a good configuration server with good LAN connectivity must be ensured.
- i3 with 8 GB RAM systems is the minimum configuration required for the server or for Node.
| Deliverables | Standards - compliance |
|---|---|
User Manual and Installation Manual |
The IETM framework complies with Indian Defence standards, JSG 0852 |
What is IETM and What is Not 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
- Level of IETM, is it Level 3 or Level 4
- Cost will be based on the number of pages that are to be converted
- Vendor calculates 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.
What are these Levels?
| Level 1 | is any PDF file |
|---|---|
| Level 21 | is a PDF file with hyperlinks from the table of contents to the body etc. |
| Level 3 | is an HTML application. More hyperlinks, simple search, a content tree having log in screen with a hardcoded username and password and supplied in the format of EXE so that Windows can easily open |
| Level 4 | Is Software plus Content/manuals converted as Database |
Regarding Level -5, rest assured, till 2028 it will be Level 4 only. As of now, there is nothing practically called Level -5. Few are calling virtual reality and Augmented reality and Artificial intelligence Level 5.
Pulling data from many user inputs and analyzing and giving results are done in Level -5. IETM software cannot pull the data from various real-time points as No OEM will give the real-time information to third-party software directly. Yes, if the information is available offline, then that information can be imported into IETM and can be used as a reference.
Implementing VR / AR and Artificial Intelligence itself costs 10 times more than actual equipment cost. Hence for the next few years till AR/VR and artificial intelligence are affordable.
The Classes of Electronic Technical Manuals
Level 0/Class 0 Non-Electronically-Indexed Page Images
As we all know that Level 0/Class 0 gives us the full description of the spectrum by providing the digital page with images that can be mean to plan for electronic archival filing. These pages allow the users to view only on an electronic device but it does not have the detailed index for navigation with this document for the online purpose.
Level 1/Class 1: Electronically Indexed Page Images
In this level systems with a digital page with images are provided with full page display and it allows the navigation by means of user-friendly which can be an automated index page. For e.g: Navy Advanced Technical Information System – ATIS). This type of systems which can be used in libraries and as well as used for reference setting for research and reading purpose.
Level 2/Class 2: Electronic Scrolling Documents
Systems for Interactive Display of ASCII-Encoded Documents using an intelligent index and Hypertext tags inserted into an attached document file. In general, the document is the result of a simple conversion from a page-oriented document but with little or no alternative by a subject matter expert with the exception of adding hypertext tags. These allow a user to navigate through the document, but have very limited, if any, author inserted navigation aids or a content-driven "NEXT" function.
Level 3/Class 3: Linear Structured IETMs
Interactive Display of Technical Information which is SGML tagged using MIL-D-87269 tags to the maximum extent possible and using a Hypertext presentation system for display in accordance with MIL-M-87268. It is based on a sequential SGML document file and not a hierarchically based on Database. Navigation is based on author developed make employing features such as to bring dialog boxes and content-driven logical "NEXT" function.
IETM Class-III is a linearly structured electronic document where the content is stored in smaller logical blocks of text with hyperlinked content to different logical pages and less use of scrolling compared to IETM Class-II. Class-III IETM is structured in freely flowing linear format following the logic of the content.
Key Feature of our Class-III IETM are:
- Content derived from Logically Hyperlinked Static Pages and not related to database
- Linear Structured Table of Contents with Hyperlinked data
- Interaction through dialog boxes
- Logical display of data in blocks related to content
- Logical NEXT and BACK functions for User navigation through content
- Page Search and Keyword search capabilities of content
- Text and Graphics support for the content display
- Useful as interactive training, operation and maintenance aid
- Content specific help available
- Module wise deployment for Content, Manuals, Illustrations, Spares, Glossary, Help and E-Book View for manuals
Difference Between IETM level 3 and Level 4
10.What is the difference between IETM level 3/Class 3 and Level 4/Class 4 or Level 5/Class 5?
The below tables demonstrates the differences:
| S.NO | Feature | Description -IETM -3/ | Description -IETM -4/5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Password Protection | YES | YES |
| 2. | Login Password | Yes. But common for all. |
Yes. Different for all. Maintainer, Operator, Admin, Super Admin (Developer mode) |
| 3. | User access | All the contents will be visible to all the users. No control over access rights to specific users. | Based on login credentials, we can restrict users. I.e. Operator will be able to see only contents and PDFs and Drawings related to operator only. |
| 4. | Admin | NO. Only single log in for all users. | Yes. Admin can create and manage users and content access rights. |
| 5. | Super admin/Authoring tool | No | Yes. Client can update the content. Using Super admin or Authoring tool, IETM can be edited. Text, images, Content tree, hyperlinks can be done using Authoring tool. |
| 6. | Database | No data base. Documents will be stored as HTML | SQL – Complete text and user information, Content structure will be stored in SQL database |
| 7. | Dash board | No | User Dash Board to manage user activities. Admin Dash Board to manage admin activities. |
| 8. | Nature of content | Static | Dynamic. Complete data is stored in the database. |
| 9. | Interactivity | Less | More |
| 10. | Bookmark, Annotations | NO | Yes. User wise bookmarks and annotations. |
| 11. | Glossary | Yes | Yes |
| 12. | Search | Local Search | Local and global search (Full IETM search). |
| 13. | Delivery & Execution | CD and DVD or USB | Installation. Can’t be played from DVD/USB. Need client server environment. |
| 14. | Dependent software's to play | NO | NO. IETM has inbuilt image and video players, PDF viewers, hence no 3rd part installations are required at client side. |
| 15. | Operating systems | Linux | Windows and Linux. IETM can be browser based or EXE based. |
| 16. | User activity monitoring | NO | Yes. User log in history will be tracked. |
| 17. | Hyperlinks | Yes, Hardcoded | Dynamic. Each frame, Images or topic will be given a unique code. |
| 18. | Hotspots (A pop up window having image, Video and Text plainer) | Yes , Hardcoded | Dynamic |
| 19. | Contents Tree Structure | YES | YES |
| 20. | When to use | When page count is up to 5000 | Anywhere from 5000 to 2 lakhs. |
| 21. | Specifications | JSG 0852:2001 Joint service Guide | JSG 0852:2001 Joint service Guide MIL Standards - 87268, 87269 (DATABASE) |
| 22. | No | Admin can print the required files. | |
| 23. | Content | Page based approach. HTML pages are developed and integrated | Frame based approach. No pages exist. All data will be stored in database. Based on request from user, content will be fletched from server and displayed. |
Want to see the IETM software?
Until you see the software, you will not be able to understand it fully. Hence, we strongly recommend you have a virtual meeting for 15 minutes so that you will have a fair idea about the IETM software.
Our expertise :
- Code and Pixels Interactive Technologies Private Limited (CNP) is an IETM service provider based in Hyderabad (India). We provide end-to-end Software development and IETMs (INDIAN STANDARD IETM JSG 0852, LEVELS 3 and 4 )
- Code and Pixels is the only Company, that delivered 50 plus IETMs (Class 3, Class 4) to Indian defence and many corporates i.e. Tata, L&T, Nova, Ashok Layland, Mahendra Defence, BAeHAL, Marine Electricals, Idea Forge, Raphe mPHibr, Navcon, Zen technologies, Kirloske, Avision, Alterra, Jyoti Ltd, Data patterns, DESMI, Man Energy and Defense labs and production agencies and shipyards such as DRDL, RCI, ASL, BDL, ECIL, BEL, HSL, and many OEMs.
- We have worked in association with the Naval Technical Group of the Navy and also with the eMMS team of the Indian Air Force and MAG (DRDL) of the Indian Army. Having vast experience, we assure you that we will be your trusted technology partner in delivering IETMs.
