Really Strategies

What We Do Who We Help Contact

About News RSuite

Resource Center Our Blog Case Studies

• Adobe and K4 Services
• Content Management
• Functional Specifications
• Information Architecture
• Print/Web Workflows
• Requirements
• RFP/RFI Support
• Strategic Services
• System Integrations
• XML Services

Case Study

CMS Analysis and Implementation to Achieve Content Re-use:

J.J. Keller & Associates

Background: J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. is the nation's leading supplier of safety, regulatory compliance and best-practice solutions for transportation, manufacturing, construction, human resources, security and general industry. Until now, J. J. Keller has used desktop publishing tools (FrameMaker and Interleaf) to create and manage its print publications and separate systems to update the same content in software and online content services. As a result, content or versions of content elements were stored and updated redundantly for each publishing context.

Strategy: J. J. Keller determined that repetitious updating, redundant processes and inaccessible content had become obstacles to realizing sales opportunities in new markets. They also had become hurdles for developing new online content as well as new software and print products. In an effort to become more efficient and therefore better positioned to meet these opportunities, J. J. Keller sought assistance in:

• eliminating content redundancy across print publications
• defining workflow changes
• evaluating and implementing an appropriate content management system to support single sourcing
• choosing and implementing a new print composition system

Primary project goals were to enable content to be re-used in many different print and software products, as well as online, without redundancy. As part of this change, all print production and editorial systems are being transitioned to XML and composition of print pages was automated with a new batch composition system. An additional goal is to reduce redundancy in updating the electronic content housed in an existing HTML database by linking it to the new CMS.

Ultimately, the unification of styles and looseleaf conventions, more consistent editorial practices, and the elimination of redundantly produced content will result in a more productive organization.

Result: Really Strategies assisted J. J. Keller in its analysis to determine the appropriate process and technology changes to meet its goals. Really Strategies led the implementation of these changes and facilitated the coordination of all the efforts, including:

• requirements definition
• workflow changes
• implementation of the content management system (Documentum integrated with the XMetaL editor)
• implementation of the composition system (XyEnterprise's XPP)
• developing and proving the process for converting all print publication content to XML

The first iteration of the system has been deployed and editorial and production staffs are extremely pleased with the process. Among the benefits they expect to realize once the system is fully operational are:

• improved ability to develop and deliver new products using existing content assets
• reduced costs and time for update cycles
• reduced costs and time resulting from eliminating redundant content
• improved ability to monitor and manage workflow
• increased consistency of content and styles across products
• ability to consider both print and online needs from within a single editorial context

"When we converted our books to desktop publishing 12 years ago, the process was painful and full of uncertainty. This time around—despite much higher complexity and a much larger investment—we had a clearer understanding of what we wanted to accomplish and what it would take to do so. A lot of the credit for that goes to Really Strategies, who became a part of our team and gave us the tools to be successful."

Webb Shaw, director of editorial resources at J. J. Keller.

© 2008 Really Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.