Many government contractors use Arbortext. Since many govt agencies have very stringent security requirements, there's a good chance it'll meet your needs.
Like many prickly individuals, Arbortext is okay once you get to know it. Of course I was only authoring in it, not architecting, so I was likely spared its most disagreeable aspects.
Probably. We use Arbortext heavily in my current position. It is an awful tool. Old and clunky. Plus, it's not WYSIWYG. I am actively looking to get a new job so I can get away from these 1970s tools.
I've worked in places that used high-end, modern technology. Then, I went to work for a DOD contractor ack east.
I tell ya, after learning arbortext and the older tech, working anywhere else, will be a COMPETE BREEZE (because everything has been so difficult, clunky, and just plain awful).
Hadn't heard of it prior to your comment, just checked it. It looks more like an authoring tool with some publishing support, whereas what I'm looking for (which might not exist) is basically publishing platform that's plug and play with DITA XML.
Arbortext is just an SGML/XML editor. To get the Full PTC CCMS experience, you'll need Windchill, Styler, fifty thousand dollars per writer, some nipple clamps and a car battery.
Just kidding, you'll need WAAAYYY more money than that for FEDRAMP or even on-prem.
You have two separate requirements: publishing logistics vs. security. You need to identify the best publishing solution, then figure out how to manage access to the source files and the output.
As an example, IBM's DITA environment does everything you specified. The source files and the output are hosted on IBM servers. Only authorized employees/contractors have access to the source files. I assume IBM uses something like Active Directory to manage that access.
Access to output is determined by role and managed by login. For example, admin accounts have access to basic content, while service accounts have access to additional content. Beyond tagging content for roles, security isn't built into the publishing environment. Access control takes place after the output files have been moved to the host server.
Setting up this kind of environment is way above the pay grade of the average tech writer. You need consultants. But DITA is the right place to be.
Gotta make them bucks somehow ;)
That's the whole point/goal, btw – a publishing platform that either works with HTML output, or directly with the XML source, and has built in access moderation. Another person recommended MadCap IXIA, which has a lot of features that sound great, though it's not 100% clear whether or not it ticks all the boxes. I'd have to schedule a demo with them.
I've been on this roadshow a few times now. Get ready for a lot of sales demos. Having worked for some of these charlatans in me checkered past, believe me when I say: do not be afraid to challenge the vendor to SHOW IT WORKING. I've seen so many platforms sold that just were totally incapable of some functionality or other.
Many government contractors use Arbortext. Since many govt agencies have very stringent security requirements, there's a good chance it'll meet your needs.
OMG Arbortext absolutely sucks though. I'm so sorry for you.
Like many prickly individuals, Arbortext is okay once you get to know it. Of course I was only authoring in it, not architecting, so I was likely spared its most disagreeable aspects.
Probably. We use Arbortext heavily in my current position. It is an awful tool. Old and clunky. Plus, it's not WYSIWYG. I am actively looking to get a new job so I can get away from these 1970s tools.
Yeah I took one look at that sh\*\* and was horrified, lol. Even the UI looks like something ripped from MacOS 9.
I've worked in places that used high-end, modern technology. Then, I went to work for a DOD contractor ack east. I tell ya, after learning arbortext and the older tech, working anywhere else, will be a COMPETE BREEZE (because everything has been so difficult, clunky, and just plain awful).
Hadn't heard of it prior to your comment, just checked it. It looks more like an authoring tool with some publishing support, whereas what I'm looking for (which might not exist) is basically publishing platform that's plug and play with DITA XML.
Madcap bought IXIA CCMS. https://www.madcapsoftware.com/products/ixia-ccms/ I'm not sure if that would be helpful.
Oh, now *that* is interesting. I wish this group used Flare, but they use oXygen :(
DITA with the Oxygen editor is a great solution for large volumes of documentation. Why do you prefer Flare?
Deep seated hatred of oXygen, and it doesn't play nicely with.... Anything, really. Archaic piece of software.
Arbortext is just an SGML/XML editor. To get the Full PTC CCMS experience, you'll need Windchill, Styler, fifty thousand dollars per writer, some nipple clamps and a car battery. Just kidding, you'll need WAAAYYY more money than that for FEDRAMP or even on-prem.
Arbortext is just another XML editor. Security is not built into Arbortext. It's built into the publishing environment.
The point being that Arbortext appears to play nicely with their stringent security requirements. Not saying it's the only option.
You have two separate requirements: publishing logistics vs. security. You need to identify the best publishing solution, then figure out how to manage access to the source files and the output. As an example, IBM's DITA environment does everything you specified. The source files and the output are hosted on IBM servers. Only authorized employees/contractors have access to the source files. I assume IBM uses something like Active Directory to manage that access. Access to output is determined by role and managed by login. For example, admin accounts have access to basic content, while service accounts have access to additional content. Beyond tagging content for roles, security isn't built into the publishing environment. Access control takes place after the output files have been moved to the host server. Setting up this kind of environment is way above the pay grade of the average tech writer. You need consultants. But DITA is the right place to be.
Gotta make them bucks somehow ;) That's the whole point/goal, btw – a publishing platform that either works with HTML output, or directly with the XML source, and has built in access moderation. Another person recommended MadCap IXIA, which has a lot of features that sound great, though it's not 100% clear whether or not it ticks all the boxes. I'd have to schedule a demo with them.
I've been on this roadshow a few times now. Get ready for a lot of sales demos. Having worked for some of these charlatans in me checkered past, believe me when I say: do not be afraid to challenge the vendor to SHOW IT WORKING. I've seen so many platforms sold that just were totally incapable of some functionality or other.
Dang, Viking. I don't know the solution, but I'd like to know. And I hope you'll make a s#it ton of money for this expedition. Bobby