Requesting thoughts on Documentum, Sharepoint, and CMS with FrameMaker

[Van Kurtz]

My company is considering getting a CMS to be used with structured FrameMaker. We now have version 9 but willing to upgrade to version 10. I know that version 10 has the ability to connect to Documentum and Sharepoint.

I would like to know others' experiences with FrameMaker and a CMS...any CMS.

At the present, we work from shared drives, copying all imported illustrations (eps) by reference.

A few years ago I worked at a company that had Documentum. At that time, the writers had to check out all the illustrations and the Frame files to their desktops, copy the illustrations in by reference, make the PDF, and then check all back into Documentum. At the time, the rule was that one could not link to files within Documentum, only file on the desktop.

So, I am wondering if the above is still true. Moreover, how do others handle the need to link to illustration files that are in the CMS without (if at all) checking them all out. We create large manuals (200-300 pages) with many illustrations that are used in multiple manuals.

Any thoughts about Documentum, Sharepoint, or any other CMS is appreciated. I am not looking for dissertations on the subject, just indications whether it can be done and if not, how it is done.

Thanks in advance,

Van

[Moxamoll]

My company is also willing to invest in a CMS for us, so we are looking at our options.  We have a workflow control system in place for the whole company, so we just want the doc management aspects for the tech writing team.  I'll be very interested in seeing people's thoughts, suggestions and experience as well.  Thanks for posting this question!

[Guest]

Did either of you select a CMS? What has your experience been? Are you using DITA? Thanks for any information you can provide.

[Art_Campbell1]

And if anyone is using SDL's Trisoft, I'd love to hear about it, especially

with FM11 and/or DITA.

Art Campbell

art.campbell@gmail.com

"... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent and

a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson

No disclaimers apply.

DoD 358

I support www.TheGrotonLine.com, hyperlocal news for Groton MA.

[Van Kurtz]

We have taken a slightly different path. We will be using Cosima go, a product made by Docufy. It is an XML-based CMS that is not connected to FrameMaker. The customization is still being prepared by the vendor, so we have not had day-to-day experience with it yet.

It does NOT use DITA. The DTD is the standard one provided by the vendor with some additions requested by us.

[Moxamoll]

We've just started trialing XDocs, but haven't been at it long enough to really have a good evaluation.  Apparently, our new parent company uses a CMS as well, so we're trying to figure out which one! I'll try and remember to report back when we have some solid information.