Complete Guide to IETM Development – Process, Pricing, Timelines, and Delivery

1. Complete Guide to IETM Development – Process, Pricing, Timelines, and Delivery Developing an Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) Contrary to popular belief, creating an IETM is not as simple as importing a user manual PDF into software and instantly converting it into a database. Instead, the process requires building everything from the ground up. Here’s a comprehensive guide to developing and delivering IETM projects: Step 1: Prepare the Table of Contents (TOC) Collect and Review Documentation: Gather all approved PDF manuals associated with the project. Each client or project usually involves several manuals, which may vary in type and content. Categorization: Sort the manuals into broad modules. For large systems, the TOC might look like this: •Electrical oNavigation Equipment ▪Radar (Instructions, User Handbook, Technical Manual, Illustrated Parts List, Manufacturer’s Recommended Spares) ▪GPS ▪Gyro ▪EMLOG oCommunication Equipment oMain Switchboard oAlarm Systems Complete Guide to IETM Development – Process, Pricing, Timelines, and Delivery

2. oBattery Chargers •Hull oHVAC oAnchors oTowing Hook oMagnetic Compass oLife Rafts oInsulation oWindlass •Engineering oFire Fighting oMain Engines oDA Sets oPumps and Compressors oPropulsion •For smaller systems, the classification may be limited to: oUser Handbook oTechnical Manuals Parts 1 and 2 oIllustrated Parts List oManufacturer’s Recommended Spares Complete Guide to IETM Development – Process, Pricing, Timelines, and Delivery

3. Step 2: Build the TOC in the IETM Authoring Tool Digitize the Structure: Using your authoring tool, recreate the paper-based TOC as a digital, hierarchical (tree) structure—parent, child, sub-child, etc.— precisely matching the structure of the original manuals. Verification: Review the digital TOC against source PDFs to ensure accuracy and completeness. Step 3: Convert PDF Content into the IETM Database Populate Content: Utilize the IETM Authoring Tool’s default templates to copy content from each PDF into the corresponding sections. Automatic Conversion: As content is input, the tool converts and stores it in a structured database for fast searching and retrieval. Complete Guide to IETM Development – Process, Pricing, Timelines, and Delivery

4. Step 4: Add Interactivity—Hyperlinks, Hotspots, Glossary, and Related Topics Enhance Navigation: Use the authoring tool to insert hyperlinks, hot spots, and cross-references, making it easy for users to navigate between related topics and glossary entries. Clarifying ‘Interactive’:In IETMs, ‘interactive’ does not mean 3D graphics. Rather, it refers to the ability for users to quickly browse, search, and cross-reference thousands of pages, view related topics, and access supplementary media with hover or clicks. Advanced Features: Users can bookmark, annotate, review search and document history, all of which make the manual truly interactive and user- friendly. Step 5: Integrate Drawings & Original Manuals Drawings: Export high-resolution images from original PDFs. Classify and insert them into the IETM under dedicated tabs based on category. Original Manuals: Store all original manuals/PDFs within the IETM under a separate “Manuals” tab for future reference. Step 6: Branding Customization: Place the OEM’s logo in the designated area (typically the upper left corner). Customize the login background in accordance with the OEM’s branding preferences. Step 7: Internal Quality Check Verification: Cross-check the IETM against all source PDFs to confirm the presence of every paragraph, topic, and function (hyperlinks, hot spots, search, user permissions, bookmarks, annotations, activity tracking, etc.) Complete Guide to IETM Development – Process, Pricing, Timelines, and Delivery

5. Step 8: OEM Quality Review Hosting: Upload the IETM to a private cloud for the OEM to review. Feedback and Finalization: Address any observations or corrections suggested before the final release. Step 9: Delivery Deliverables include: •IETM Viewer Software •Database and Assets (drawings, images, PDFs, videos) •An installation manual is provided to enable independent installations. Complete Guide to IETM Development – Process, Pricing, Timelines, and Delivery

6. •All content is delivered via DVD, USB, or ZIP file; OEMs can duplicate and distribute as needed. •IETM can be installed on standalone PCs/laptops, or on a server for networked (LAN) access via browsers. •IETM is a browser-based application compatible with both Windows and Linux. Development Stack: The IETM framework uses Angular, Node.js, and MariaDB. Cost of IETM Cost of IETM depends on the number of pages to be converted as well as IETM Viewer software cost. Ideally, cost per page is from 175 rupees – 250 rupees per page of manual. More pages mean less cost, and fewer pages mean more cost. i.e. if you have 500 pages of manuals that need to be converted, then the cost would be around 1 lakh. IETM viewer cost will be around 3 lakhs to 4 lakhs Hence, to make 500 pages IETM, it will cost you around 4 lakhs to 5 lakhs Time Lines of IETM For below 500 pages – 1 week 500- 1000 pages – 10 days 1000- 5000 pages – 1 month 5000- 10,000 – 45 days Complete Guide to IETM Development – Process, Pricing, Timelines, and Delivery

7. Deliverables of IETM •Source - SQL BASED DB (Manuals are covered in the Database) IETM •IETM VIEWER Software •SERVER EXE IETM Delivery and Distribution •The IETM software and its database will be delivered to the OEM or client •The client is free to make unlimited copies and distribute them to end users via DVDs. •There are no licensing fees per installation, and no hardware binding, serial numbers, or similar restrictions are required. •OEMs may produce and distribute as many DVDs as necessary. •The software license is perpetual, so there are no annual renewal charges or recurring licensing fees. We will provide you with one complete set of files, and you are authorized to create and distribute as many copies or DVDs to your end users as needed. Summary: Developing an IETM involves careful planning, structure, content curation, and technical expertise. It goes beyond simple PDF conversion, adding layers of interactivity, quality control, and end-user convenience, all tailored to the needs of each project and OEM. Complete Guide to IETM Development – Process, Pricing, Timelines, and Delivery