Simply XML Announces Release of the Simply DITA

Simply DITA is a specialized implementation of Content Mapper, Simply XML’s Microsoft Word to XML authoring platform. With Simply DITA, both casual authors and technical writers can use Microsoft Word to adopt the DITA standard. The user interface is straight forward with a series of ribbon-based menus that are integrated with the Microsoft Word 2007 interface. Users can create DITA Topics, DITA Tasks, DITA Concepts, DITA References, and DITA Maps – key components of the DITA standard. The Simply DITA document structure uses a streamlined set of the DITA elements that remove complexities not needed by about 95% of potential DITA authors. Simply DITA complements more technical XML authoring tools like XMetal, Structured FrameMaker, and Arbortext Editor that may be required by authors writing very technical content. Documents created with Simply DITA can be opened and edited using these XML tools and passed seamlessly back to authors working in Microsoft Word. Saving content as valid DITA in XML permits the enterprise to take advantage of XML, but the Microsoft Word-based author never has to see or understand the XML. Simply DITA enables multi-channel publishing through full integration with the DITA Open Tool Kit. The tool includes a personal content repository and supports integration with SharePoint or other Content Management Systems (CMS) for advanced content storage and workflow management. Authors can easily add metadata to their content from within Microsoft Word and search for content through locally controlled metadata, or metadata standards adopted by the enterprise. Simply DITA also supports efficient direct or batch import of structured legacy documents. Simply DITA is supported by an optional instructor-led, Web-based learning program to teach authors how to construct high-performance content under the DITA standard. Unlike other DITA training programs, the Simply DITA training programdoesn’t need to teach authors the technical complexities of understanding and using XML markup code. Since the Simply DITA software takes care of the XML markup behind the scenes, the training can focus on bigger-picture concepts and how to write reusable content that enhances reader productivity and meets the DITA requirements. http://www.simplyxml.com/