Understanding IETM: Benefits, and Features You Need to Know!

This article explains the concept of Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) and its different levels, including its importance in the context of user manuals for various devices. It also discusses the standards for IETMs, including the Indian Defense Standard and the European Aviation standard, and the differences between them.

Hey there! Let’s talk about IETMs — Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals. Sounds boring, right? But wait till you see how cool and useful they can be!

First things first, what exactly is an IETM? Well, it’s a manual that’s interactive and digital. So basically, it’s a manual that you can access on your phone, tablet, or computer. And the best part? It’s not just a regular old PDF file. Nope, an IETM is a lot more dynamic and user-friendly.

But hold on a second, you might be wondering: isn’t a PDF file digital too? Technically, yes. But a PDF file is like Level 2 of an IETM. There are actually four different levels of IETMs, just like there are different levels in a video game. The first level is simple, the second level is a little more challenging, the third level is intermediate, and the fourth level is advanced.

IETM: The Levels and Standards Explained:

So, why do we need IETMs in the first place? Well, think about it when you buy a new phone, car, or any other kind of gadget, you usually get a user manual, right? That’s because if you ever have any trouble using the device, you can refer to the manual and figure out how to fix the issue yourself. It’s like having a cheat sheet!

But when you’re dealing with a big, complicated system or device, you might need more than just one manual. You might need an operator manual, a maintainer manual, a spare parts list, and so on. And if you have to refer to multiple hard copies or PDF files, that can be really time-consuming and frustrating.

That’s where IETMs come in handy. They’re like a one-stop-shop for all the information you need about a particular system or device. And since they’re digital, you can easily search for what you need and navigate to different sections with just a few clicks.

So, what are the different levels of IETMs? Level 1 is basically just a scanned document, like a regular old PDF. Level 2 is a bit more advanced — it’s a PDF file with indexing and internal links between pages. Level 3 is where things start to get really interesting — it’s an HTML/XML based software that’s more interactive and user-friendly. And Level 4 is the most advanced level, with even more navigation features.

Source: Google

Infact, the Indian Defense has been requesting that all equipment be delivered with IETMs since 2014. And since 2018, they’ve mostly been asking for Level 4 IETMs.

But here’s the thing — Level 3 and 4 IETMs aren’t just documents like a Word file or a PDF. They’re actually a combination of software and a database. All the manuals are converted to an SQL database, which you can access using an IETM viewer. The viewer has tools that make it easy to navigate and find what you need.

And there are actually three modes to an IETM — user mode, admin mode, and super admin or authoring tool mode. In user mode, you can access the documents. In admin mode, an admin can create users and track their activities. And in super admin mode, all the manuals are converted to a database using an authoring tool.

So, there are actually two different standards for IETMs — the Indian Defense Standard (JSG 0852:2001) and the European Aviation Standard (S1000D). If the RFQ or tender documents say it’s an IETM, that usually means it’s the Indian standard. But if the end-user wants the S1000D standard, then it has to be specified as “S1000D”

Imagine trying to fix a technical issue with a piece of equipment and having to sift through multiple hardcopy manuals or PDF files to find the information you need. With an IETM, you can simply search for the issue you are experiencing and be directed to the appropriate page in seconds. This not only saves time but also reduces the potential for errors caused by navigating through complex and confusing documentation.

Now, let’s dive a little deeper into the different levels of IETMs. Level 1 is essentially a scanned document, such as a normal PDF file. Level 2 adds basic features like indexing and internal links between pages to make navigation easier. Level 3 introduces HTML/XML-based software, which allows for even more advanced navigation features and a more dynamic user experience. Finally, Level 4 is the most advanced, offering features like inter-document referencing and search capabilities that allow users to quickly find the information they need.

It’s worth noting that the Indian Defense has mandated the use of IETMs since 2014 and has specified Level 4 in most RFQ documents since 2018. This demonstrates the increasing importance and recognition of IETMs as a valuable tool in the defense industry and beyond.

Future trends in IETM development:

When it comes to standards, there are two main types of IETMs: the Indian Defense Standard (JSG 0852:2001) and the European Aviation Standard (S1000D). The Indian Standard uses a SQL database and IETM Viewer to access the information, while the European Aviation Standard is XML-based and requires a costly software tool called CSDB Studio. While both standards ultimately serve the same purpose of making information more accessible and intuitive, the Indian Standard is generally considered more cost-effective and user-friendly.