XML-Based Content Management System for Version Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex software products require efficient support documentation management, as user assistance teams face challenges in providing detailed guidance due to varying customer configurations, leading to increased support costs and turnaround times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a content management system that stores multiple versions of documents in a virtual container space using XML files, allowing for direct updates and revisions, and enabling users to submit requests through a portal with integrated screenshot capabilities, eliminating the need for intermediaries in the support process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If support documentation is stored in segregated containers for each version, then version control is maintained, but documentation updates require cloning containers and resetting project status, increasing complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple versioned document containers into a single unified container. Instead of maintaining separate containers for each document version, all versions coexist in one container with version identifiers, eliminating the need to clone containers for updates and simplifying the documentation management process
2Loss of information
If users must go through product support team for documentation issues, then detailed technical information is provided, but support costs and turnaround time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where users can directly access the documentation management system, submit feedback and requests through an integrated portal, and receive updates without involving product support personnel. This empowers users to independently resolve documentation issues while maintaining information accuracy through direct owner communication
3Ease of manufacture
If basic generic guidance is provided in support documentation, then documentation maintenance is simple, but effectiveness for complex customer configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments documentation into modular components that can be independently updated and recombined. By dividing documentation into discrete, versioned units, the system maintains simplicity in maintenance while enabling flexible adaptation to complex customer configurations through selective assembly of relevant documentation segments
Data Source
AI summary
Storing and retrieving data in a content management computer system. The method includes configuring the memory to store a document having a plurality of versions, according to a configuration comprising: (i) a plurality of topics, each topic being stored as an XML file and comprising content forming a portion of one or more of the versions of the document; and (ii) a plurality of project maps, each project map corresponding to one of the plurality of versions of the document and including a reference to one or more buildable maps, each buildable map including a reference to one or more of the topics, directly or through a submap. A publication request is received for a selected one of the project maps, and the referenced topics of the buildable maps of the selected project map are combined to form a version of the document corresponding to the selected project map.