Inspiring

Question

Advantages of FrameMaker Repository Manager with Sharepoint ?

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
September 19, 2023
2 replies
1099 views

We are moving towards using Sharepoint as our version control system.

When I tried to get the Connection Details from IT, I was told there might be a security issue with that and I need a VP's permission.

I was also told, after I reviewed the Help for what you can do with the Repository Manager, that you can manage the files using Sharepoint functionality.

I haven't tested yet, but there is a contractor refusing to do daily check outs and check ins there and keeping files updated. I do not yet understand why. I assume because it is too cumbersome.

My guess is that the functionality might be available in Sharepoint, but the user experience for the integration is probably optimized on the FrameMaker side because they take into consideration unique FrameMaker issues. Is that correct? what is your experience with this? Is there a big difference?

If only one writer works on a product's documentation at a time, is there a reason to do daily checkouts and checkins? I am not sure if his files are synched with OneDrive, but if they were are, is that enough to ensure that the updated files are in Sharepoint even without checking out/in? So that checkins are less for making sure the updated files are there, but more to ensure that only one person is working on them at a time?

This topic has been closed for replies.

Matt-Tech Comm Tools

Community Expert

You may find that Sharepoint connectivity differs greatly from Sharepoint Online (SPO) connectivity.

SPO connectivity is easy to set up with a provided connector, but (old) Sharepoint connectivity can be less reliable and straightforward.

Connectivity with Dropbox and One Drive can be tenuous as well, so proceed with caution. (back up often!)

-Matt SullivanFrameMaker Course Creator, Author, Trainer, Consultant

David Kuhn 5000Author

Inspiring

Thanks. We are using Sharepoint Online.

It looks easy to set up. It is just that IT raised a potential security issue in providing the connection details.

We are investigating.

I was looking for the advantages of managing projects through FrameMaker Repository Manager rather than just using standard or even customized Sharepoint Online functionality, as a way to sell them more on the benefit.

Matt-Tech Comm Tools

Community Expert

The FrameMaker Connection Manager allows you to define your repository...is this what you mean by FrameMaker Repository Manager?

This just lets you configure access to a specific repository, in the same way you'd log into an oft-accessed FTP site or check your email...without having to manually enter account details on a computer you securely access. At least, that's how I'd pitch it to IT... 😉

-Matt SullivanFrameMaker Course Creator, Author, Trainer, Consultant

Jeff_Coatsworth

Community Expert

Can't speak to using SP, but if you only have one person at a time working on the FM files, why do you need SP? You can get away with just turning on the FM locking feature that would stop another writer from working on the same file at the same time. I used to do that when I had 2 people working on different parts of the same project - they just coordinated with each other to save & unlock the desired file that the other needed. We just stored the FM content on a LAN server in the office. AFAIK, FM files don't get merged like other source control programs like Git because they are binary files & not text.

David Kuhn 5000Author

Inspiring

We were keeping daily backups on the company's network drive and also commiting to GitHub, but those methods are being terminated. We at least need to store the files somewhere where they will be safely backed up. Currently, we are not working on a document at the same time, but because I am the one responsible for setting it up, I want to think ahead about what might be demanded in the future. In addition, I was not aware until today that the contractor is working on the Frame files on One Drive and they should be synched with Sharepoint, so that for now the checkout/in methodology is probably unnecessary. Though ideally, we should implement a system that is flexible enough to handle a change in policy re: who works on what and when.

I am not that familiar with the locking feature, but aren't there ways around it? It is not uncommon for me to get messages that the file is locked by another user (even if it is not) with a prompt about resetting the lock and I can update the files even thought they were locked.

Jeff_Coatsworth

Community Expert

Yes, it just creates a copy of the filename with an .lck extension. Sometimes FM isn't that good at cleaning them up, so you can just delete them to force it through.

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