intro...

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This version of the Stiles machine proposals are intended to...

New format and sections

Proposals will now have the sections listed in the tabs at left. Each tab provides an overview of how content is managed for that particular section.

A new systems and processes

A new system has been implemented to facilitate the content management process required by the design and communication goals of the proposal.

For proposal purposes, machines can be broken down as follows:

  • Brand
    • Series
      • Model
        • Configuration

Each of these sections is independently described in the proposal and stored in a CMS (content management system). Storing them independently allows for them to be more easily shared across many proposals. This in turn makes the administration of machine information easier to manage.

Technical information and tips on how to use the system is available (as is a definition of basic terminology) for your reference.

Cover

Dynamic content + Static content.

Live data (provided by sales person) is stamped onto a template file. Template is stored as an Asset

To modify:

Replace the existing asset (Admin > Assets > Files; search for category of "Cover")

Table of Contents

Automatic content.

Information about the current proposal is dynamically collected (e.g. section titles) and calculated (e.g. page numbers) then stamped onto a template file.

To modify:

Replace the existing asset (Admin > Assets > Files; search for category of "Table of Contents")

Corporate Overview/Introduction

Static content.

Managed by Stiles in InDesign. 

To modify:

Replace the existing asset (Admin > Assets > Files; search for category of "Corporate Overview")

Brand Overview

Static content.

Managed by Stiles in InDesign. 

To modify:

Replace the existing asset (Admin > Assets > Files; search for category of "Brand Overview")

Series Introduction

Automatic content assembled from a number of sources:

  • Brands (module)
  • Series (module)
  • Model (module)
  • Model Configuration (module)

To modify:

Admin > Modules > [module name]

Series Features

Static content; requires manual production that follows a specific workflow.

To modify:

Admin > Modules > Series > [your series] > Features (tab)

Model Features & Details

Static content; requires manual production that follows a specific workflow.

To modify:

Admin > Modules > Models > [your model] > Features (tab)

Configuration Features & Details

Static content; requires manual production that follows a specific workflow.

To modify:

Admin > Modules > Model Configurations > [your configuration] > Features (tab)

Machine Control & Software

Static content; requires manual production that follows a specific workflow.

If shared across all Models, this can be entered at the Series level and then inherited.

To modify:

Admin > Modules > Models > [your model] > Software (tab)

Technical Specifications

Static content; requires manual production that follows a specific workflow.

 

To modify:

Admin > Modules > Model Configurations > [your configuration] > Specifications (tab)

Pricing Overview

Dynamic content

Pre-programmed options are triggered by the sales person at the time of the proposal creation. Content is  automatically assembled from a number of sources:

  • Brand (module)
  • Series (module)
  • Model (module)
  • Model Configurations (module)
  • Live data (supplied by sales person)

To modify:

Update the content in its respective module.

Technical Drawings

Dynamic content.

Uploaded images are scaled down (if needed) to fit the output area of the template. Pages will automatically be added to accommodate the number of images loaded.

Suggested image size:

To modify:

Admin > Modules > Model Configurations > [your configuration] > Drawings (tab)

Optional Equipment & Services

Dynamic content.

To modify:

Admin > Modules > Model Configurations > [your configuration] > Pricing Options (tab)

Additional Services

Static content.

Managed by Stiles in InDesign. 

To modify:

Replace the existing asset (Admin > Assets > Files; search for category of "Additional Services")

Terms & Conditions

Static content.

Managed by Stiles in InDesign. 

To modify:

Replace the existing asset (Admin > Assets > Files; search for category of "Terms")

Proposal Terminology

CMS (content management system) – the user-interface that allows authorized non-technical users to enter content (text, images, files) so that they can be used to in the production of proposals.

Modules – specialized content collection and organization areas of the CMS. Modules only accept specific kinds of content so that their output can be more closely controlled.

Dynamic PDFs – files with content that is added to the proposal at the time when it is being created for a client. This includes:

Automatic PDFs – files that are created on the server based entirely on what is provided by an administrator.

Manual PDFs – files whose information and layout cannot be automatically created; requires a manual production process to ensure that it is formatted properly. This content must follow a semi-automated workflow that manages the content progression and review stages.

Workflow – a semi-automated process which allows administrators to provide content to a production designer so that it can be formatted for readability and clarity of communication. This process is required on several sections in order to accommodate the design and communication goals of the proposal. 

Each step of the workflow will send a notification to a particular group and indicate that they now have work to do.

To trigger or continue the workflow, change the Production Status to the appropriate stage and Save the entry.

Static PDFs – files managed by Stiles in InDesign (a graphic design document layout program) who's contents don't change very often.