Feature List — Simonsoft CMS

Content Management and Releases


Component Content Management	Simonsoft CMS is a Component Content Management System for XML, capable of handling Book and DITA based XML schemas.
Version Control	All content is under version control. It is possible to view and use specific revisions of all objects.
Simonsoft Techdoc XML Schemas	Simonsoft CMS is open with regards to choice of XML data model but for most organizations it is more cost efficient to start with a pre-defined data model and make enhancements based on unique requirements. Simonsoft provides two “out of the box” data models that are based on more than 15 years of experience with technical documentation. Techdoc Book (Book based model) Techdoc DITA (DITA based model)
Release Process	The release process is a central part of Simonsoft CMS. A release represents a finalized document that remains stable although the included components are updated over time. This allows organizations to comply to regulatory requirements and to update information without affecting released content. The system has flexibility and can be adapted to customer specific release stages.
Organization of Data	Data and graphics is organized in a folder structure. The default system option is to use automatic naming for file names but it is also possible to use customer specific naming and sub-folder structures.
Searching and Browsing for Content	A full featured search engine and user interface with faceting (filter categories) can be used to find and preview content. It is also possible to browse the folder structure for content.

The following features are also available (for more specific use cases)


Graphics Baseline	Allows updates (or reversal) of graphics in released content also after the release.
Profiled Release	In most cases, organizations apply profiling at the publication stage and not at the release stage. Simonsoft CMS also supports profiled releases for special cases where it makes sense to apply profiles already at the release stage.
Release based on a Release	It is possible to create releases based on a release. This is useful if an organization has a regulatory or other requirement to maintain and update documentation for different versions in parallel.

Translations


Create Translations	Feature allows customers to create documents (based on a released document) that are ready for translation.
Pretranslate	Simonsoft CMS can automatically re-use already translated content so that translations from paragraphs that have been reused are exactly the same when used in other documents. Using pretranslate can significantly reduce the amount of words sent to the translation service provider.
COTI package exports	Translations can be exported as a COTI compliant package (supported by most translation service providers). If a publication service is in use, the COTI package can include PDF files.
Translated Graphics	Used to manage language-specific graphics (e.g. illustrations with text or GUI screenshots).

Imports, Exports and Transforms


Standard XSL Transforms	Simonsoft CMS has a set of standardized XSL transforms that can be configured and used when exporting data from the CMS
Custom XSL Transforms	Possibility to add custom XSL transforms that are applied to XML data when exporting.
Key References using Excel	Manage technical data or GUI strings in Excel files and import them into Simonsoft to make the content available to authors as key references. The Excel files can be version controlled within the CMS and edited on a local PC.
GUI Strings Imports (XLIFF)	Import technical data or GUI strings as XLIFF files and use as key references

Publications


Simonsoft Web Publications (beta)	Full-featured web publications (HTML5, JavaScript and CSS) ready for deployment. Search feature is included when used together with Simonsoft Content Delivery Service.
Simonsoft PDF Publications (pre-release information)	PDF publications with CSS based style concept.
Simonsoft HTML5 Publications	Clean semantic HTML5 output without styling, for integration into user interfaces or software solutions.
Arbortext Publishing Engine (add-on option)	Arbortext from PTC is a full-featured publishing software that produces PDF and other formats Simonsoft has support for dedicated Arbortext Publishing Engine server. For cloud based configurations a cloud hosting service is available.
Publishing Automation	Fully automated publications executed from the CMS. Publications can be triggered automatically by the CMS state (e.g. Released) or manually from the user interface.

Authoring


Arbortext	Simonsoft provides a plug-in (adapter) for Arbortext Editor and Arbortext Styler from PTC