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The Ultimate IETM Q&A Guide: Standards, Levels, and Implementation.
This blog provides a clear, practical introduction to Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs) explaining what they are, how they differ from traditional manuals, and why they have become essential in defence, aerospace, shipbuilding, and complex engineering programs. It addresses the most frequently asked questions around IETM standards, functionality, architecture, security, conversion of legacy documents, and real-world implementation challenges. Designed for OEMs, system integrators, and decision makers, the blog helps readers understand how a well-designed IETM improves maintenance efficiency, training effectiveness, while ensuring compliance with modern defence and industry standards.
IETM – Complete Q&A 1. Basics / Definitions 1. What does IETM stand for? IETM stands for Interactive Electronic Technical Manual. 2. What is an Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM)? An IETM is a software-based, database driven technical documentation system that allows users to interactively access procedures, drawings, parts data, troubleshooting steps, and multimedia instead of reading static manuals. 3. How is an IETM different from a PDF or scanned manual? PDFs are static and linear. An IETM is searchable, cross-linked, role based and interactive, allowing users to quickly locate procedures, parts, or faults. 4. What are the “levels” of IETM (Level 1–4)? Levels historically indicated increasing functionality from scanned manuals (Level 1) to fully interactive, database driven systems (Level 4). 5. What is an IETM functionality matrix? A functionality matrix replaces level based definitions and clearly specifies required features such as search, interactivity, multimedia, diagnostics, and integration. CODEANDPIXELS.NET
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2. Standards & Compliance 6. What standards govern IETMs? Common standards include JSG-0852 (Indian Defence) and S1000D (European Standard and discouraged in Indian defence context) 7. Is S1000D a need in Indian Context No. S1000D is a European standard and most shipyards are not asking for S1000D. Recent Tender related to Goa Shipyard and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) has requested Quotations for IETM Indian standard only, as S1000D standard does not provide any usage as they want standalone IETMs. 8. What does JSG-0852 specify? It defines functional, security, performance, and usability requirements for defence IETMs in India. 9. Which standard should I use? •
Indian defence projects: JSG-0852. Most shipyards and Army Vehicles and Navy are asking for Indian defence standard only.
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S1000D is European aviation standard. As of now in India, only HAL, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited only asked for S1000D. Why they have specifically need S1000D is unknown.
10. How are IETMs mentioned in tenders?
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Usually via Functionality Matrix, compliance clauses, and acceptance criteria, not just “IETM Level”.
3. Implementation & Architecture 11. Is an IETM web or desktop-based? Modern IETMs are web based, but can run offline on secure local systems. 12. What are the main components of an IETM? •
Authoring module
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Admin Module
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Viewer / player
13. How is content structured? Content is stored as modular topics (procedures, descriptions, faults, parts), not pages. 14. What file types can be used? Text, images, vector drawings, PDFs, videos, animations, 3D models. 15. How are legacy manuals migrated? By data extraction, structuring, tagging, and linking into a database.
4. Authoring & Conversion 16. What tools are used for IETM authoring? Quantum tech Docs is IETM Authoring tool used by 100 plus projects that is Akash Missile, Agni, BrahMos, MRSAM(IAF), Hindustan Ship Yard Limited, DRDO, ECIL, BDL, BEL and many more defence agencies to deliver as their IETM documentation solution technology partner. 17. How are scanned manuals converted? •
Using OCR + manual validation and structuring. Hardcopies must be good condition, scannable condition. If OCR cannot work, then we need to manually type the content.
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OCR needs clear hardcopy which does not have strains and folding.
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18. Is manual effort still required? Yes. Automation helps, but human validation is critical for accuracy. 19. Can AI be used? Yes, Quantum Tech Docs has AI feature enabled. But is used specifically for bigger systems like ships, missiles etc. It also needs high configuration hardware. Hence, regular systems does not need AI. 20. What is the typical workflow? Author → Review → QA → Publish → Acceptance → Deployment.
5. Functionality & Features 21. What features should an IETM include? Advanced search, hyperlinks, multimedia, role based views, bookmarks, annotations. 22. How does parts lookup work? Via interactive parts catalogues linked to drawings and procedures. 23. Can multimedia be embedded? Yes - videos, animations, training clips, and 3D visuals. 24. How are versions managed? Every IETM has version name and release date. 25. Can it work offline? Yes. Offline deployment is common in defence environments.
6. Levels & Classification (Practical) 26. Level 3 vs Level 4 difference? Level 3 = structured navigation Level 4 = full interactivity, database logic, and decision based flow 27. Are “levels” still relevant? Mostly replaced by Functionality Matrix.
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28. What does “Level-4” usually mean today? Searchable, interactive, crosslinked, multimedia enabled, database driven IETM.
7. Integration & Systems 29. Can IETM integrate CBTs? Yes, If the CBT is browser based then CBT can be integrated in IETM 30. Can IETM integrate Video films? Yes, often used as a training aid and digital Library 31. Can IETM integrate 3d files and 360 degrees rotation and blowups etc? Yes, Quantum Tech Docs has full support of 3D.
8. Security & Access 32. How is content secured? Role based access, encryption, authentication, secure containers. 33. Offline security? Login based access, encrypted databases, license controls. 34. Can user activity be tracked? Yes- logs for access, views, searches, bookmarks, annotations all are tracked
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9. Performance & Scalability 35. How large can an IETM be? Thousands of manuals and millions of data objects. 36. Performance expectations? Search results in seconds; topic loading under 1–2 seconds. 37. How is speed ensured? Optimized database indexing and caching.
10. Cost & Procurement 38. Typical IETM cost? Depends on page count, interactivity, and data quality. 39. Pricing models? Project based, license based, or hybrid with AMC. 40. Project duration? 1 week to 24+ months depending on scope. 41. How to evaluate vendors? Experience, compliance knowledge, past defence projects, demo quality.
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11. Testing & Acceptance 42. How is acceptance done? Functional testing, compliance checks, and user validation. 43. What acceptance criteria are used? Functionality Matrix and tender clauses. 44. What are delivered? IETM software, data and database and User manuals
12. Usability & UX 45. How should UI be designed? Simple, fast, minimal clicks designed for technicians, not engineers. 46. Accessibility features? Zoom, contrast, keyboard navigation, multilingual support. 47. How do users typically search? By equipment ID, fault code, keyword, or task.
13. Training & Adoption 48. How are users trained? Hands on sessions, walkthroughs, and quick reference guides. 49. Adoption challenges? Resistance to change from paper based manuals. 50. Training modes in IETM? Yes, Video and guided learning modes.
14. Troubleshooting & Support 51. Missing topic issues? Caused by incorrect tagging or access rights. 52. Broken links? CODEANDPIXELS.NET
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Usually due to data migration errors. 53. AMC? Yes, post delivery of IETM, 1 year free AMC is offered.
15. Legal & IP 54. Who owns the data? Typically the customer, unless otherwise contracted. 55. Licensing terms? IETM viewer has separate licensing cost and authoring tool has separate licensing cost
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