Technical Publications as a Service
Strategic Value of Outsourcing and Augmenting S1000D Publication Development
Developing and maintaining S1000D-compliant publications requires specialised tools, deep domain expertise, and strict adherence to evolving standards. Outsourcing and workforce augmentation strategies offer organisations a powerful way to reduce costs, improve quality, and enhance agility.
Pennant’s Technical Publications as a Service is available in three different ways:
Full Technical Publications Outsourcing
This involves outsourcing the entire publication development work package to a specialized S1000D and/or ATA publications expert. This comes with a wide range of benefits.
Workforce Augmentation: Embedding Expert Contractors
This hybrid model of workforce augmentation allows companies to retain control over documentation strategy while enhancing their capabilities with specialised expertise.
Legacy Data Conversion
Outsourcing the conversion of legacy technical publications to S1000D is a strategic move that accelerates modernisation while minimising internal disruption.
Additional Technical Manual and Documentations services are also available here.
Full Technical Pulications Outsourcing
S1000D development relies on a complex suite of tools including XML editors, Common Source Databases (CSDBs), validation engines, and publishing platforms. These systems require IT software, hardware and support, which only adds to the overhead costs.
Outsourcing provides immediate access to skilled professionals who are already proficient in S1000D methodologies. These experts understand how to structure content, manage data modules, and integrate with logistics and maintenance systems. Experienced S1000D providers, like Pennant, bring not only technical writing skills but also industry-specific knowledge—whether in aviation, defense, rail, or maritime. Our colleagues familiarity with quality assurance processes, validation tools, and configuration management ensures that deliverables meet both technical and regulatory standards.
Enhanced Quality
Reduce IT overhead
Eliminate the need for internal investment
Lower Training and Hiring Costs
Reduced Risk Through Subject Matter Expertise
Workforce Augmentation: Embedding Expert Contractors
Embedd expert contractors directly into your existing publication development teams. This hybrid model of workforce augmentation allows companies to retain control over documentation strategy while enhancing their capabilities with specialised expertise.
Embedded S1000D experts bring fresh perspectives and deep technical knowledge without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire. This approach is especially valuable during peak workloads, system migrations, or when implementing new S1000D versions and business rules.
Gain the flexibility to scale up quickly
Maintain internal oversight and alignment with broader business goals
Accelerate project timelines
Mentor internal staff and introduce best practices
Reduced long time hiring costs without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire
Legacy Data Conversion
Legacy content often lacks the structure and metadata required for S1000D compliance, making conversion a technically demanding and resource-intensive process.
S1000D offers a structured, modular, and interoperable approach to technical documentation that far surpasses traditional legacy formats such as Word, PDF, or proprietary systems. Unlike static documents, S1000D uses XML-based data modules that can be reused, updated independently, and integrated across platforms, making it ideal for complex systems with long lifecycles and frequent updates.
Pennant brings the tools, automation capabilities, and domain expertise needed to efficiently analyze, restructure, and validate legacy data. This approach ensures legacy content is preserved, standardized, and future-ready for digital platforms and integrated support systems.
Accelerate modernisation and delivery
Minimize internal disruption
Reduce overhead of internal conversion efforts
Ensure consistency and accuracy
Avoid steep learning curve
Additional Technical Manual & Documentation Services
IETP & IETM Technical Manuals
Pennant’s R4i product is an advanced solution for creating Interactive Electronic Technical Publications (IETPs). It is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the S Series specification, ensuring compatibility and seamless integration. R4i offers a comprehensive set of features and tools that enable users to author, manage, and deliver interactive technical content efficiently. With its user-friendly interface and powerful capabilities, R4i empowers technical writers and content creators to produce high-quality IETPs that enhance user experience and improve knowledge transfer. Pennant is committed to continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring that R4i remains at the forefront of the industry, providing users with the best possible solution for their technical publication needs.
Proofreading & Copy Editing
Proofreading / copy editing are vital to ensuring that written media is clear, accurate, and professional. It is the process of checking for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Technical publications projects undertaken by Pennant embed proofreading / copy editing into the programme plan. Publications are not submitted to the customer until the requisite proofreading / copy editing tasks have been satisfactorily completed.
Technical Illustrations
Whether you’re a business seeking to explain your products, an educator aiming to simplify complex concepts, or a professional in need of illustrations, our technical illustration services are here to assist you. Together, we can transform the intricate into the comprehensible, creating visuals that resonate and educate.
From exploded diagrams, cutaway visuals to assembly instructions and product visulations, we can support your requirement.
Simplified Technical English
Simplified English is a type of English that is written so that it is easy for persons of all English levels to know. It is frequently used in technical publications, user manuals, and other materials that must be clear and short. It is related to industry standards and specifications, such as S1000D and iSpec2200. Simplified English gives:
-
Clear text: Simplified English is written so that it is easy to follow. This makes it good for materials that need to be quickly and easily known, such as user manuals and safety instructions.
-
Decreased translation work: Simplified English is easier to translate, which uses less time.
-
Better customer satisfaction: Products and services that come with clear technical publications help customers.
-
Increased sales: Clear and short technical publications can help to increase sales because they make it easier for customers to use your products.
-
Increased reputation: High-quality technical publications can help to get new customers.
Pennant’s technical publications department has done many technical publications in Simplified English, applicable to the industry standard ASD-STE100, used in military, aerospace and rail.
Des St Bruno discusses outsourcing and workforce augmentation strategies which offer organizations a powerful way to reduce costs, improve quality, and enhance agility.
