IETMs DEVELOPMENT

     Over thirty five ago the Department of Defense (DoD) took initiatives to replace paper–based technical manuals with enhanced electronic multi-media called IETMs.  The U.S. Navy efforts to create a "paperless ship" and to avoid reduced weapons systems readiness in the field led to new concepts in technical data accessibility and delivery.  In 1992, it was determined that a new system dedicated to the storage, delivery and management of technical information of DoD systems had to be developed with the goal of conforming with three DoD Standards.
      The new IETMs standards had to conform to a DoD-wide architecture and provide interoperability across all branches of the service.  These three standards have set the foundation for all IETMs development and implementation, and have proven so successful that they have become the military and commercial standard across the globe.  Although IETMs are relatively new, they have propagated into every field that can benefit from reductions in paper-based technical support and improved management of complex systems.