Content Management (Windchill Updates Reflecting in XML Content )

[si]

Greetings all,

My organization wants to implement better content management of technical publications. We are trying to implement the Abrotext Publishing Engine, and we’d like to if “possible” have changes to parts listed made in the PTC Windchill Product to reflect in technical manuals developed in Arbortext XML editor. By doing these we hope to keep technical manuals as current as possible. Is anyone currently doing this? and does anyone know how we can have changes made in Windchill reflect in the editor in an automated manner ? 

[GarethOakes · Accepted solution]

This level of automation is not simple, but what you're suggesting is made possible using Windchill SIM (Service Information Manager). This can be combined with Arbortext Editor, Publishing Engine, ISODraw, Creo Illustrate, etc. to provide an integrated environment for service data, parts management, 2D/3D illustrations, animations and so on.

When the PTC software is setup as in integrated system, and assuming you reconfigure your service data to be associated to engineering data, then you can have a level of automation with updates to illustrations and other data items. For textual content, the computer is not going to write service tasks for you However it can trigger change notices to tech writers who can then see the changes and make the relevant content updates.

If you want to learn more, there are a network of PTC partner organisations with skills in this area. Our organisation GPSL (www.gpsl.co) is one of these.

[si]

Thanks for the prompt reply Gareth,

     If I understand you well, you''re saying that there is no way to have the engineering data directly correlate with XML data whether that's via Winchill, ePLM, Abortext, or the Publishing Engine's settings and configuration. We thought there might be away to structure folders, and link elements with some sort of IDREF.

     Additionally, is SIM an unlocked feature in Windchill or does it require another license ? Would anyone recommend a certain folder structure with PTC products? especially if we're trying to link or combine the engineering data with the technical publication?

[JeffStevenson]

Hi Steve,

You can use engineering data in Arbortext publications. There are 2 out-of-the-box methods using SIM and WC Service Parts.

First, you can include eBoms by way of PartsLists. Using Service Parts, you can create sBOMs and PartsLists from  your existing eBoms. PartsLists can be published as PDF or other output types via Arbortext Publishing Engine.

Second, you can publishing CAD models. Again, with SIM, you can incorporate CAD models via a document type called PVZ into your output. PVZ can be included in your XML via Arbortext Editor.

If you are trying to use other engineering data, I'm sure there are customizations that can be done to make that content available, but these are the 2 most common. You will need Service Information Manager and WC Service Parts installed on your existing PDMLink. These are licensed add-ons to PDMLink.

As far as a special folder structure, SIM provides a new object type called Information Structures. Information Structures allow you to organize content in a way that is reflective of your service organization or business structure. This allows easy access when building publications or publishing directly from the Information Structures.

[JeffStevenson]

Hi Steve,

I second what Gareth said and I'll add that you also use Windchill Service Parts in conjunction with Service Information Manager.

Service Parts allows you to create parts lists from eBOMs (put simply: eBOM->sBOM->Parts List). Parts List can be rendered as standalone documents using Arbortext Publishing Engine or included in publications built with Service Information Manager. You can combine Parts Lists with your service information authored in Arbortext Editor to create various types of output. Through the use of workflows, filters, and various attributes, you can publish updated content on a regular basis. Further, Publishing Engine and Windchill are integrated so all of this can be done from the Windchill interface.

As Gareth mentioned, our organization (GPSL) has much experience as do many of the PTC partners.

Hope that helps!

-Jeff

[TimPhelps]

Steve,

    If Jeff and Gareth have answered your questions, could you indicate the correct answer by selecting "Correct Answer", so that other community members know the answer that assisted you?

[si]

Tim,

The answer has been selected. We can only expect to alert authors , who will then update the content. However that revised content needs to be reflect back to the engineering data.

Is there a versioning control application to SIM or WC service parts, that can link to publishing engine .

I have many more questions I just don't want to flood the forum.

[JeffStevenson]

Hi Steve,

There a number of linkages, notifications, and version control within Windchill. It may be helpful to know what you are trying to do so we can answer your questions? Perhaps even a demo of Windchill/SIM would be beneficial. Feel free to private message me.

-Jeff