Successfully launching a digital information portal
How TROX and kothes laid the foundation for scalable content delivery
Well prepared thanks to solid structures
As early as 2013, TROX, with support from kothes, began focusing on structure and systematisation, introducing COSIMA in the process. Modular content modules, consistent structures and well-maintained content ensured high quality and efficient translations. In particular, handling numerous translations became a significantly simpler and more transparent process.
However, with a growing number of variants, new target groups and the desire for digital, context-based delivery, the previous PDF model reached its limits. In future, content should be role-based and available on every end device where it is needed. Together with kothes, TROX developed the basis for a centralised, modular knowledge portal to achieve this.
Structure information clearly, target the right audience
The new portal required a rethink of the approach to technical documentation. Modular content now had to be comprehensively and consistently classified and tagged with metadata. TROX wanted a unified, scalable metadata concept with consistent PI classification, applicable across all products and manuals – making it adaptable for new markets, variants, and target groups. Together with kothes, four central areas of action were defined. The task for kothes was clear: to develop a consistent, editorially integrated metadata concept that reliably maps existing content in COSIMA while remaining scalable for future content, product groups, and target markets.
Provide precise information
The goal was to prepare content so that only the relevant information is delivered, depending on role, context, or application.
Create systematic structure
All content should be tagged with a unified and future-proof metadata model and a machine-readable PI classification.
Ensure internal acceptance
Internal departments were involved early to build a shared understanding of information needs and system logic.
Prove practical feasibility
A concrete use case – the fire damper product group – was chosen to demonstrate how the metadata model works in practice and to ensure future scalability.
From a workshop concept to a pilot that creates acceptance
In joint workshops, kothes and the TROX team systematically analysed the content and structural requirements. The focus was on key questions relating to technical writing: What information is needed in which context of use? And how must content be structured, classified and tagged so that it can be easily found and delivered in a media-appropriate way? The result was a robust first draft of a sustainable metadata concept that takes into account both editorial requirements and the needs of future users.
Dynamic content instead of PDFs
With the new metadata concept and the PI classification, TROX has laid the foundations for a modern digital information architecture. Instead of static PDFs, modular content is now available that can be dynamically filtered and displayed to suit the context of use. Following the successful prototype, international scaling is next: The subsidiaries in Norway and Switzerland are also to use COSIMA and the metadata concept. Together with kothes, this is creating the basis for high-quality content delivery portals and future-proof technical writing.
“The result is excellent! Our employees no longer have to carry around large documents, and our customers can easily find the information they need on their own.”
Christian Schmithüsen
Technical Editor and Project Manager
TROX SE
