Managing templates and document content

Aia Software has developed a dedicated solution for the management and creation of ITP model documents (super templates) and associated reusable components, known as the ITP/MDK Repository. Many of our customers use this toolset and it has become a key core component of the ITP Document Platform. Since its introduction, its functional scope has been significantly extended, so much so that it now warrants reappraisal.

ITP/MDK Repository is a client-server application providing multi-user access to a central database for the storage of documents, document components, ITP models and ‘runtime’ components such as Interactive Browser Forms and Text blocks . The client application provides for structured organization of objects in the database and incorporates functionality to support ITP Model Document authoring, ITP Model compilation and model execution as well as features such as object version management, release management and change impact analysis all controlled via role-based access.

Business Advantages

• productivity is increased as IT department is much better equipped to provide development and maintenance support
• simple to use maintenance and creation functions for new and existing reusable text ‘content’ components (Text blocks)
• improved document input control and reduced time to market
• repository import function for easy addition of all document types
• document comparison function to easily determine the differences between two document or Text block versions 
• company styles can be easily applied and modified

Document Administrator Advantages

• version control provides powerful features for identifying and setting the status of a specific object versions e.g. currently in use, in development or a ‘past’ version.
• dependency monitoring for immediate insight into object interrelationships.
• powerful, user-friendly, graphical user-interface, fully integrated with MS Word.
• full-text search function for quick and easy searches.
• document comparison for simplified document and/or Text block content differentiation.
• compilation function for changed or newly created ITP models.
• use of styles to apply company branding to all linked documents and enabling ‘single point of maintenance’.
• impact analysis for determining where and what object versions are being used and in what circumstances and the effects of any proposed changes

IT Advantages

• secure central document and model repository with back-up options
• role-based access control and user activity audit logs
• revision control for audited object development
• familiar ‘project’ organization structure of repository objects
• dedicated object  import/export functions
• document locking to prevent simultaneous changes being made to the same object
• remote access features to allow users at multiple locations to gain access to the repository
• multi-user environment
• object deployment control by application of ‘labels’