You don't get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour.
— Jim Rohn
Large or small, we'll find a scenario to fit your business
We can offer you significant cost savings over the traditional contractor model, while applying better technical skills, more experience, and greater efficiency than other outsourcing firms.
From content modernization to a new documentation set, we can pass on significant savings for large, complex projects. Ask us to show you how our blended rate solutions can compete with offshoring solutions, while still maintaining quality.
Enterprise: Modernization of Online Help for Software Product
A legacy product needs to be Certified for Microsoft® Windows Vista®, but the online help library is in WinHelp (.hlp) format. The online help needs to be delivered in HTML Help (.chm) format.
Project issues
- Time-critical, due to scheduled release of product update for Vista compatibility.
- Many processes are not standard, especially source migration.
- No updates to help for several years, so there is no holdover knowledge of information development processes.
Technical hurdles
- Source format is RTF, which does not allow for significant content reuse and modularity. RTF also has limited support from the client's internal tools and processes.
- New repository structure needs to be designed to accommodate file sets in multiple languages and to facilitate a smooth build process.
Information development goals
- Design file structure.
- Migrate help files into DITA SGML format.
- Design HTML Help modules and assist development team with build processes.
- Manage translation process.
Staffing comparison
- InContext blended solution combines several cost-level skills in one team:
- Peripheral
- Editor and graphics
- Technical writer
- Project manager
- Information architect
- Standard contractor model
- Team of technical writers typically billing at the single rate regardless of skill/experience match
Benefits
- The lowest-cost resources are utilized for the post-migration SGML cleanup and repository work.
- The editor ensures compliance with style requirements, reducing future costs such as translation.
- High-cost skills such as information architecture are applied only when needed.
Savings
The InContext solution results in a savings of 15% over the standard outsourced contractor model.
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Enterprise: Documentation for Hardware/Software Solution
A data retention solution is introducing a new machine type, incorporating several hardware and software components in multiple configurations. A new documentation set needs to be created.
Project issues
- New documentation must address various concerns such as installation, administration, and service.
- Prior documentation was maintained by development. Style requirements were not followed and quality metrics were not used.
Technical hurdles
- Existing documentation needs to be migrated from Microsoft® Word.
- Existing collateral for hardware and software components is in numerous source types and locations.
- To address federal accessibility requirements, HTML output needs to be generated.
Information development goals
- Design new library that can be a framework for current and future content.
- Create SGML file set.
- Work with development to document new solution-specific functionality.
- Deliver PDF and HTML books on CD.
- Create repository structure and archive book files.
Staffing comparison
- InContext blended solution combines several cost-level skills in one team:
- Peripheral
- Editor and graphics
- Technical writer
- Project manager
- Information architect
- Standard contractor model
- Team of technical writers typically billing at the single rate regardless of skill/experience match
Benefits
- The lowest-cost resources are utilized to migrate and clean up existing content.
- The writer works with development to write new content.
- The information architect assists with the design of the library.
Savings
The InContext solution results in a savings of 17% over the standard outsourced contractor model.
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