#s1000d developers

Code and Pixels is an IETM level 4 and  S1000D development company delivered 25 projects. Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) range from Level 3 , 4 and 5.

What is S1000D?

S1000D is the European standard of technical publications or technical documentation being followed in Aerospace since 1980, which uses CSDB, a Common source database which is used for preparing, managing, and publishing technical information for a warship, or Aerospace, or even Civil airlines too.

The first release of the S1000D Specification was in 1989 and in August 2019 the latest 5 Issue was release

An airplane or ship is built with thousands of components, sub-components and navigation equipment, and many more. Hence, these components are supplied by many OEMs (Original equipment manufacturers). OEMs make the documents to their own standards. Each document and format is entirely different because all OEMs don’t maintain similar standards. At that point, the Technical Publications Specification Maintenance Group (TPSMG) was formed. They proposed a DM-based (Data Module) Based structure. TO manage these Data modules CSDB was maintained. (Database). Data Module is the standalone section of the document. For example, let’s assume that one data module is prepared on Operation of GPS and stored in CSDB, then whenever GPS operations are to be reproduced for different aircraft or different systems, simply that Data module can be copied and plugged.

In short, re-usability and the format used is XML, and tags are defined by the S1000D steering committee.

S1000D Basic Principle

Content or data  produced following the standard is in Data Module  

This  data module is the smallest and  self-contained content or data  unit within a technical publication

A data module must have sense and meaning when viewed without any supporting data other than images and diagrams

These  data modules will be  stored and managed in CSDB, Common Source Database.

Using this  CSDB  we can publish  output in a page-oriented or Interactive Electronic Technical Manual.

These Individual data modules are re-usable components and can be used repeatedly in an output.

Benefits of S1000D

Re-usability of data hence reduces production cost

Standardization of data and naming conventions

Open source and non-proprietary

Good for legacy data conversion

Proper documentation and version control management

Zero printing cost and zero occupancies of space as no Hard copies are to be maintained. Achieved by reusing instead of recreating information each time it is required

Easily to maintain  and distribute:  Facilitates transfer of information and electronic output between systems very easily and conveniently

Multiple Vendor support

Fastest reference to operator or maintainer than traditional paper-based documents

Many different output forms can be generated from a single data source i.e. from CSDB we can generate IETM and also PDF format which can be used for printing if need be

Customized Output creation: Allows sub-sets of information to be generated to meet specific user needs and user levels.

S1000D USERS

Military

Air

Land

Maritime

International

Civil/commercial

Aviation

Shipping

Space

Urban

General technology

Others:

Manufacturer

Integrator

Supplier

Suppliers of documentation

Technical service providers

Software vendors

Common information sets provide following data: –

Crew/Operator information

Description and operation

Maintenance information

Wiring data

Illustrated Part Data (IPD)

Maintenance planning information

Mass and balance information

Recovery information

Equipment information

Weapon loading information –

Cargo loading information

Stores loading information

Role change information

Battle damage assessment and repair information

Illustrated tool and support equipment data

Service bulletins

Material data

Common information and data

Training

List of applicable publications

Maintenance checklists and inspections

S1000D Development with Code and Pixels

Having 8 years of experience in handling technical documentation, especially for defense, code and pixels has gained good knowledge on S1000D IETM development

Code and Pixels is associated with US based company in designing and development of S1000d documentation.

It’s not confusion, it’s clarity. You are on the very right track. Understand the difference between IETM and IETM.

Let’s not get confused any anymore again with the technical Jargon's. Let us come straight to the point.

If it is JSG 0852 :2007 then it’s IETM

If it is s1000d then it’s IETP.

Now without understanding the need fully, few OEMs and Labs are asking for s1000d IETM.

“Internet Says s1000d is the latest standard of documentation, hence then we should adopt that” this is a blind concept adopted by few.

“Now Wikipedia says Level -5 is the latest version of IETM, hence now all the OEMs and Labs wants LEVEL -5 IETM.”

Regarding Level -5 IETM whatever Wikipedia says all the vendors and IETM service providers have copy-pasted or changed the language and claiming to do IETM Level-5.

Actually, Level 5 deals with advanced key word search and artificial intelligence, which is not required at this point and it’s too costly to implement too.

Coffee or TEA? Select one (JSG or s1000d)

If your RFQ / SCOPE says IETM, then it has to be IETM developed as per JSG 0852: 2001 ONLY.S1000d is Not an IETM. It’s an IETP Interactive electronic Technical Publication and it is not as per JSG 0852:2001 standards.If your RFQ/Scope says IETM as per S 1000D AND JSG 0852:2001 Then ask your client to edit the specifications. Your client must have read over the internet and mixed the knowledge and prepared their SCOPE.

It is like a Coffee and TEA. You cannot make Coffee with Tea powder.

If someone is asking for IETM as per S1000D AND JSG 0852:2001 means, Coffee made with Tea powder and expecting to get Coffee aroma.

Either drink coffee or else drink TEA.

This means either go for JSG or S1000d

Now, the big question is do we really need s1000d?

Well, to be honest, not really.

S1000d mostly suits to airline industry where every part has a unique number may it be AIRBUS, BOEING BUSINESS JETS, BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE, CESSNA AIRCRAFT. Parts and part numbers are the same.

In s1000d documentation, every part is developed as a standalone module/document (data Module). While delivering a document, they compile all data modules and deliver.

And all these companies have their own s1000d suit which costs around 100 crores. They maintain a centralized repository. They maintain their own software which takes care of publishing, document management.

In our context, it won’t suit our needs and purpose. To maintain s1000d, even Clients must have s 1000 d master suite, and all the s1000d publications supplied by various OEMs/ Vendors will sit in that master tool.

For that client has to share BREX, business rules to vendors, and guidelines to all vendors so that all the documents will sit properly in the client's S1000d suit.

This is needed when the system has around 2 lakhs of documents to share.

And its commercially very costly solution. If say, IETM costs you 20 lakhs then S1000d costs you 80 Lakhs.

It has been promoted and hyped by European S1000d suit selling companies.

It is just a concept of selling “Iodized salt” and “refined oil”. We really don’t need them, still because advertisements said, Big MNCs have influenced and scared the people, and people are forced to use them.

Original Chinese Fried Rice Vs Indian Version of Fried rice.

Now, when a client approaches for s1000d, then Indian companies can’t say NO. Then they have adopted an Indianised version of s1000d. People are coming up with Local solutions which are nowhere matches with s1000d.To give a very simple example, let’s take the example of “Chicken Fried Rice”, a Chinese recipe. You eat that in china or the restaurants that serve genuine “Chinese food”Now order the same from our colony vendors. They Indianise the recipe. Indian street food cook will add red mirchi powder, Daniya, Turmatic, Ginger, Garlic and all Indian spices along with Soya sauce and adds chopped deep-fried Manchurian pieces, chopped coriander, Onion and lemon slices and adds egg and names it as “Chicken fried rice”

S 1000d says XML as a deliverable, Vendors are giving XML. But it’s no way meets the s1000d requirements.

By the way, does code and Pixels has s1000d?

Now, immediately you might gave got a question that, Does code and Pixels have the solution for s1000d?

Our answer is YES. We do have. Not the Indian version of S1000d but the Actual European version of s1000d.

We have purchased the S1000d Author Studio from western country for one of the s1000d project.

We are not an Anti S1000d, but we strongly believe that as of now, don’t need s1000d at this point.

Having said this, being a software supplier, it’s always demand VS supply.

In simple language, as a shop keeper, we are aware that Iodized salt or refined oil does not really help, still, the shop keeper has to put them on display. Demands and Supply principle implies.

Yes, definitely s1000d has advantages, but IETM Level -4 is economic and fast and the need of the hour.

But, it has not matured enough technology to be adopted in the Indian context.

JSG 0852:2007, defined by the Indian steering committee is need of the hour

If the actual equipment cost is 2 crore, making s1000d IETM costs you 50 lakhs. Is it not funny and pathetic?

S1000D is A new buzz word in the technical publishing world. New word? Not exactly new, but surely it’s a new word in Indian Defence Technical Publishing segment.

What S1000D Means?

S1000D is an Interactive Electronic Technical Publishing IETP. Of course, it’s also called IETM too.

S1000d is not new but very few Indian companies, which support documentation of foreign Airline documentation are similar to S1000d word. But almost 90% of the people who do S1000d conversation do not know what S1000d is.

Few tools available in the market which are used to make XML files But they are not an IETM creating tool, Just XML conversion tools. After converting to XML, they send to foreign airlines company, where they foreign airline companies plug-in theses XML into their S1000d suits.

S1000D History In Brief

A few years back S1000d is mainly used in the Aerospace segment, because S1000d is basically governed by Steering Committee formed by ASD, Aerospace Industries Association of America (AIA) ATA e-Business Program  These organizations form the S1000D Council Hence, it’s more apt for the Aerospace industry.

Currently, Defense systems – including land, sea, and air products, civil aviation, Ship industry of the US have adopted these standards while making documentation.

Adoption of S1000D

Now Indian Defense system is also trying to adopt S1000D for their documentation activities. When Navy/IAF/Army wants S1000d IETM, it is implied that the navy has CSDB Suit /Local CSDB Server 20- 50 OEMs or Service providers will give S1000d data Modules of various systems and the Navy CSDB Local server will host them and monitor them and does the user management

If the navy does not have a CSDB suit then, still they can run IETM, but a standalone version where no user management will be done by IETM Viewer.(User management will be done by Navy CSDB Local server which hosts all the data modules of various OEMs)

Is S1000D suitable for Smaller Systems?

No. S1000D is not suitable for smaller systems. It’s very apt for the systems which have around 1 lakh pages of documentation and the project has just initiated the documentation.

One Of The Greatest Advantages Of S1000D Is In JSS 0852 IETM, first, documentation has to be done in JSS 251 format, in MS word then IETM activity starts. In S1000D, Separate documentation need not be done. Whatever we do in MS word will be done using s1000d Author software.

Once all the documentation is done, We can simply export them either as PDF or as IETM or XML files with Project manifest file so that these can be deployed in any other S1000d distribution servers/ CSDB studios of navy

Do We Need s1000d?

Well, to be honest, the answer is Yes and NO. It depends on how big is your System/equipment.

S1000d mostly suits to airline industry where every part has a unique number may it be AIRBUS, BOEING BUSINESS JETS, BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE, CESSNA AIRCRAFT. Parts and part numbers are the same.

How Does S1000D Work?

In S1000d documentation, every part is developed as a standalone module/document (data Module). While delivering a document, they compile all data modules and deliver. And all these companies have their own S1000d suit which costs in crores.

They maintain a centralized repository. They maintain their own software which takes care of publishing, document management.

In our context, it won’t suit our needs and purpose. To maintain s1000d, even Clients must have s 1000d CSDB Studio or Server, and all the s1000d publications supplied by various OEMs/ Vendors will sit in that CSDB Server

For that client has to share BREX, business rules to vendors, and guidelines to all vendors so that all the documents will sit properly in the client’s S1000d CSDB Server

This is needed when the system has around 2 lakhs of documents to share.And its commercially very costly solution. If, IETM costs you 20 lakhs then S1000d costs you 80 Lakhs.

If the system is very big, like documentation for the entire Ship /flight, and documentation has just been initiated, then S1000D is the best solution. Because One S1000d is made, then we can export PDFs and also IETM from the same source files.

The Major Advantage Of S1000D

let’s say each ship is built by has 100 OEMs and all 100 OEMs supply IETMS in different formats, then it will be difficult to maintain uniformity.

If all 100 vendors give navy s1000d IETMs then all the IETMs will almost in a similar format.

To achieve this, the Navy must have an S1000d CSDB server with them to host all OEMs received by various vendors.

If the Navy does not have an S1000d CSDB Server with them, then the purpose and  benefits of S1000d cant be achieved

Why CODE AND PIXELS for S1000D?

For the past 7 years, we have been executing IETM projects for Army, Navy, and Air-force in JSG 0852 format.

In 2018, the first time we received an enquiry from a Dubai-based oil and gas firm. We have also come across the s1000d term in various Navy documentation meetings. we have then initiated R&D activities on S1000D Implementation and hired S1000d experts who have worked on various defense Aerospace projects.

we have interviewed 50 members who mentioned s1000d in their profiles. We picked them from LinkedIn. They don’t even know what s1000d is. They were told that the project was s1000d, and they blindly did data entry work on the conversion of word to XML.

IETM stands for Interactive Electronic Technical Manual Services which are classified as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5. IETM is the replacement of paper work which is equivalent for a paper- based presentation.