Multimedia product documentation-user requirements

The globalisation of industry and the strong dependence of the German machine manufacturers on export has increased the importance of an up-to-date and user-oriented product documentation not only as a cost factor but as a competition factor of strategic importance as well. The use of multimedia is a promising approach to realize such an improved documentation. This paper presents the results of a survey that was conducted among the manufacturers of machines and their customers to identify the user requirements for multimedia product documentation. As a result of the analysis a number of success factors are identified. Finally some recommendations for the implementation of a multimedia machine information system are given.