Automating FrameMaker with [i]-frame

FrameMaker is the classic DTP tool in technical documentation. And practice has shown that, even though the basic concept of FrameMaker is very good, there are many functions missing for working with the application more efficiently. As full service provider for technical documentation and FrameMaker user since version 1.3, itl AG has bundled its FrameMaker expertise, and now offers with [i]-frame the urgently needed turbo boost for FrameMaker.

[i]-frame offers functional enhancements and improvements for FrameMaker whose ROI is usually given in one to two FrameMaker projects. Each [i]-frame pack groups specific functions which reflect the typical application scenarios. The packs are complemented by many free special "goodies".

The base pack, for example, offers a range of functions that every FrameMaker user can benefit from: This mainly has to do with covering basic functional gaps and usability annoyances of FrameMaker. Here are two functions we have selected as examples:

Navigation in tables. If you know Word, then you know what's missing in FrameMaker: fast navigation in large tables using the cursor keys. This function is provided in the Base Pack. Once you have worked with this enhancement, you won't know how you were able to work without it for so long.

DocTOC.  If you know Word, then you know again exactly what's missing in FrameMaker: the positioning of any table of contents within documents. Typically, something like the list of all subheadings as part of an introduction in a chapter, for example. Methods like Information Mapping® and DITA define this table of contents approach as a basic means of creating user-friendly technical documentation. FrameMaker's standard functionality only simulates these types of embedded TOCs inadequately with text insets. This is not the case with DocTOC. It allows you to define any TOC after an any anchor point. DocTOC expands the FrameMaker approach: Be they reference pages or ini files, you can provide any size FrameMaker books with the new TOC function spanning the entire document and also easily monitor this centrally.

The functional enhancements are packaged into a total of four modules:

• [i]-frame Base Pack
  basic improvements for all FrameMaker users
• [i]-frame Quality Pack
  for supporting quality assurance tasks of documents and books with many useful reporting functions that help you to create "clean" documents
• [i]-frame Extended Pack
  special functions for the planning of FrameMaker templates and the mass use of variables, for example as database imports or imports from Excel tables
• [i]-frame Translation Pack
  functions with special consideration of requirements occurring with the translation of FrameMaker documents

As a user of its own [i]-frame products, itl pays makes sure that every functional enhancement covers a typical use case as completely as possible. [i]-frame goes far beyond miscellaneous simple functional enhancements whose gaps are usually first noticed after using FrameMaker intensively for a documentation project.

If a module ever fails to cover the typical needs of a user, itl can also make individual scripts or individual script solutions available after consulting with the client.

Why does itl utilize script-based solutions and not API programming? The [i]-frame modules currently require the FrameScript plug-in which is available for a fee. We see great advantages in the script-based solutions as opposed to individual plug-ins programmed in C: Many scripts can be integrated into self-defined menu structures very easily and flexibly, prototyping is much easier and enhanced solutions can be implemented more effectively.

The best for last: As an introductory offer, itl is offering a discount of 20 % on all [i]-frame modules. Order by May 5, 2009 to secure your discount.