[Framers] Arbortext v Frame

[ROSS, Chris]

My company is thinking of changing from Framemaker to Arbortext. I have been asked to attend a meeting, consisting mainly of managers and accountants, to represent the Tech writing population.
I have never used Arbortext before and am finding it very difficult to download a trial version to make any viable comparison. I would appreciate any input from other writers who have used Arbortext.
Currently:

*        We use Frame for all our technical documentation and deliver usually as PDF.

*        Use structured Framemaker 17.

*        Have EDDs and templates for each customer which can be modified if required.

*        Use defence standards.

*        We use Sharepoint for our configuration management but have to either Zip the frame files or PDF them to put them in Sharepoint.

*        All graphics are referenced and are in JPEG, TIFF, WMF or PNG.

*        Conditional text is often used.
The main questions I have are:

*        Is Arbortex easy to use and intuitive?

*        Can Frame documents be imported into Arbortex easily and work?

*        How easy is it to create templates/EDDs (equivalent) in Arbortext and modify them?

*        Can conditional text (or equivalent) be used in Arbortex?

*        Can JPEGs, TIFFs etc. be imported into Arbortex?

*        Are Arbortex and Sharepoint compatible?

*        Anything that Frame can do that Arbortex wont?

I am very happy using Frame and would like any valid reason for not changing over.
Thank you.


Chris Ross
Senior Technical Writer
Sustainment and Engineering Solutions
BAE Systems Australia

T: 0884807884 | M: 0425288631 | E: chris.ross2 at baesystems.com<mailto:chris.ross2 at baesystems.com>

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