Database Publishing in Adobe Framemaker 11
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Adobe® FrameMaker® 11 White Paper Database Publishing in Adobe FrameMaker 11 Introduction Contents Database publishing is important for businesses of all sizes in all industries. Every enterprise needs to 1 Introduction distribute information internally and externally. From company phone directories to online product catalogs 2 Applications of server- to 3D media content, database publishing enables timely, effective communication. A well-implemented based publishing database publishing system can help companies reduce the time and expenses associated with publishing 5 Document types and improve information quality. 8 Data sources 9 The FrameMaker What is database publishing? database publishing solution Database publishing is a form of automated media production in which source data resides in traditional databases 11 Implementing a (in the form of text, pictures, and metadata related to formatting and special rules regarding document generation). FrameMaker solution The data is then aggregated and converted into multiple formats for publication and distribution. Such formats 16 Next steps include Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), including HTML5, for 18 Conclusion the Internet, ePub, and Kindle formats, help outputs for online help systems, Extensible Markup Language (XML), which can be delivered to VoiceXML browsers and mobile devices, and formats for native apps that can be viewed on mobile devices without an Internet connection. The goal for many organizations is to create content once and publish it across multiple formats. Through Adobe Technical Communication Suite 4, FrameMaker can also publish to multiscreen HTML5 for delivery on mobile devices such as tablet computers and smartphones. Database publishing occurs in two broad categories: automated, tagged publishing or data-driven, dynamic publishing. Automated publishing is the process in which a flat file (e.g., a large text file with special markups or tags) is parsed and published. Data-driven publishing is the process in which data is retrieved dynamically (in real time) from a database and published (in real time) without the need for an intermediate markup language or text file. All forms of database publishing share common characteristics. First, data must be presented so users can easily find what they need. Data also must be formatted for effective presentation, and presentation must be customized according to the needs of a specific audience or user. Finally, automated database publishing should meet the demand for timely, consistent information delivery. The goals of this document This white paper explains the basics of database publishing and how implementations can vary by industry and document type. It also discusses the unique capabilities within Adobe FrameMaker, and describes how to successfully implement FrameMaker, including integration with third-party database publishing tools such as PatternStream software from Finite Matters Ltd. (FML), Miramo software from Datazone, and R4i Illustrated Parts Data (IPD) Manager from Absolute Data Group (ADG). Applications of server-based publishing Server-based publishing is an automated multichannel and multi-device database publishing solution. It enables publication departments to centralize and automatically schedule publication tasks using database documents. Server-based publishing is ideal for organizations that need to deliver large volumes of high-quality technical content via multiple channels in many formats to different types of devices. Server-based publishing can reduce the production cycle for frequently updated documents and can also create opportunities for new types of documents. Database content typically comes from web servers, content management systems (CMS), parts and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) servers, application servers, and database servers. Distribution can occur within a closed network to a finite audience or through a cloud-computing environment with the potential to reach a global audience. Server-based publishing solutions are typically tailored to meet publishing needs according to: • Industry • Document type • Data source Industry overview While database publishing is important to most industries, the types of source data, required output formats, and desired levels of personalization and customization typically depend on industry-specific needs and standards. To some companies, the most important documents are internally circulated; to others, publishing information for external audiences is either an important part of doing business or the main focus of their business. Database publishing solutions, including server-based publishing applications, are commonly found in the following industries and organization types: • Engineering • Insurance • Financial services • Manufacturing • Government • Pharmaceuticals • Healthcare • Publishing Engineering Engineering projects typically require extensive documentation. Engineering documents can be visually complex, including flow charts, schematics, and computer aided design (CAD) diagrams. Publishing tools used by engineering companies must effectively integrate complex graphics and text. Engineering is also a collaborative effort, and engineering organizations usually house shared information in databases and file management systems. Database publishing lets users share the information with no worries about changes occurring in one place and not in another. The design and production of an asset starts with engineering information in the form of drawings, bills of materials, and supporting technical information. When a concept is approved, technical writers, illustrators, and engineers collaborate to produce intelligent parts information supported by in-depth operating and servicing information. Typically, spreadsheets and/or databases contain parts information while illustrations are stored in repositories or on network drives. The collation, editing, and publishing of the required publishing data can be complex and time-consuming. Adobe FrameMaker 11 White Paper 2 For example, Absolute Data Group’s R4i Illustrated Parts Data Manager automates the process of assembling, validating, and creating parts data, speeding time to market and eliminating human error from the parts data production cycle. Designed to connect to disparate information systems, including Microsoft SQL Databases, Excel spreadsheets and the R4i S1000D CSDB Server Suite, IPD Manager simply maps the data fields to the required export data sets. Non-proprietary IPD data is then generated as XML and S1000D data modules with linked illustrations. This interactive content can then be produced as a PDF, HTML, or checked into XML repositories such as R4i CSDB Server for inclusion in an intelligent, interactive R4i Viewer Package. Financial services Financial services companies have stringent publishing standards because of consumer demand and legal and regulatory requirements. They are obligated by law to provide published information about performance and operations to government and regulatory agencies, shareholders, and the general public. Many of these required documents must include data in tables accompanied by graphs and/or charts. Financial services have the strongest demand for personalized content: customers want access to the latest information about their portfolios, including account activity and current value. To meet these consumer demands, publishing applications must be able to access multiple systems in real time and deliver digital or print versions of documents on demand. Government Federal, state, and local governments typically manage and publish vast amounts of information. In fact, the United States federal government is the world’s largest publisher. Government entities publish to communicate with their various audiences, including citizens, vendors, and other governments. Data-generated documents published by governments include recently passed legislation, forms, catalogs, directories, transit schedules, statistical reports, budgets, and many other types of documents. Governments face constant pressure to become more efficient and make information readily accessible. Server-based publishing solutions can help meet these demands. Periodic financial reporting is a common requirement for federal, state, and local governments—or new one from any of the other verticals. Adobe FrameMaker 11 White Paper 3 Healthcare Healthcare is an information-intensive industry, both for effective patient care and efficient operation. Patients need information about providers and payers, disease management, and compliance with treatments. Physicians need information about their patients, specialists in referral networks, and current research regarding therapy and medication. Provider directories typically integrate information such as plan or provider policies with the directory listings. Thus, publishing tools for directory production must be able to integrate word processing files with data-generated content. Provider directories are often formatted in a multi-column layout and may have multiple indices. Insurance Insurance companies maintain a variety of critical documents that contain information representing legal obligations. Accuracy is essential for insurance premium and policy information distributed to vendors, brokers, and the general public. Insurance policies and related documents are often managed with systems that merge data from back-end databases (for example, actuarial tables) into appropriate