Single Source and Multi Channel – Digitalization done right
True single source publishing means: all content is managed in a central source and exists only once within that source – no matter how often and into which channels it is published.
With the CCMS Smart Media Creator – SMC, you implement single source publishing at the highest level. SMC supports you with extensive system functions that are fully available even in the basic version of SMC.
Everything from a single source: Efficient modularization and content reuse
You come across “modularization” wherever greater efficiency is to be achieved through the multiple use of what already exists. For example, modern automotive manufacturing benefits from an increasing reuse of components across several model series or brands. With the same goal, modern content management modularizes content in order to achieve a high degree of content reuse.
Working with templates
Content templates
For modules that are needed repeatedly in a similar form, templates can be created to reuse content in the newly generated instance. This also works for complete publications and is particularly suitable for plant engineering or customized products.
Content filtering
Filtering for variant management
You can filter content by any criteria, e.g. by target group, target market, or target publication. A particularly sophisticated application is filtering by products and product attributes: Variant Management
Re-use of fragments
Re-use of fragments
With the re-use functions, text passages and other content can be reused across multiple modules (building blocks).
The link to the source module can be removed – temporarily or permanently. This allows the content to be adapted to the new context or copied into the target module.
Usage is traceable in both directions. This gives you a clear overview at any time of where the content is being used.
Automated Aggregation / Dynamic Lists
Dynamic folders
With the functions of automated aggregation, you can generate new publications fully automatically – based on metadata. Put simply: the system searches for each module of a publication for the object that matches the product to be documented.
With dynamic folders and books, you can collect all types of objects to automatically process, publish, translate, and more.
Numerous and flexible output channels for seamless digitalization
As an XML-based CCMS, SMC has access to all publication channels: in addition to classic print formats, of course, also all kinds of online publications, as well as specialized formats such as SCORM, TMX, RDF, and more.
Design layouts flexibly
Flexible layout editor
The style templates for the output media can be configured via the system interface and do not require complex programming. Therefore, advanced SMC users, e.g. your internal administrators, can make the changes themselves.
Output to Adobe InDesign
The optional output generates a preformatted IDML file that can be opened and finalized in InDesign®. The editor has access to all text and image content as well as product data from SMC, enabling the creation of a complete publication in a single output step. This eliminates the time-consuming tasks of compiling content for a publication and assigning the appropriate formats (character, paragraph, table styles, etc.) to all content elements. The InDesign® designer can then focus on the creative tasks, producing high-quality layouts in a short time while maintaining secure control over layout and typography. The degree of completion of the draft layout can be flexibly adapted to specific requirements and workflows.
This way, products such as flyers, brochures, catalogs, customer magazines, folded instructions, or posters can be created in all variations just-in-time with greater process reliability in Adobe® InDesign®.
Accessibility in publications
With the help of SMC, you can optionally create HTML and PDF publications that comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and thus also meet the legal requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG). These requirements must be implemented by many companies and organizations starting in June 2025.
It is not only about meeting legal requirements, but also about optimizing the user experience – whether in the office, in the home office, or on the shop floor. These options underline our goal of developing innovative solutions that make documentation accessible and usable for everyone.
End-to-end digitalization
Content Delivery System JAMES
The digital flow of information should not be interrupted in the final step, the use by the end user. Only in this way do all parties – information creators and consumers – truly benefit from digitalization. In addition to all options of digital output channels, JAMES is available as a content delivery system aligned with SMC, providing an optimal user experience.
Get to know SMC
Learn more about the modern XML-based editorial system and CCMS Smart Media Creator, the next-generation solution for technical communication, and how the system can support your digital transformation strategy.
We look forward to hearing from you!
