United Space Alliance Launches Document Management Initiative
The United Space Alliance (USA), a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, is developing a document management system to help electronically manage the documentation used in the launch and landing of the space shuttle. The WAVE (Work Authorization Document Authoring and Validation Environment) system is comprised of Arbortext's (Ann Arbor, MI) Adept 7 and Documentum's (Pleasanton, CA) EDMS document management systems. The WAVE will allow USA users to create and manage all documentation used to process and prepare the Space Shuttle fleet, associated support equipment and facilities prior to launch and after landing. Arbortext's Adept-Editor will be used to write and maintain procedure documents covering standard tests and maintenance, trouble shooting and repair, inspection and modification, and equipment/payload installation/removal. When combined with Documentum's EDMS, the system will allow USA authors to work with the SGML and XML data stored and managed in Documentum's EDMS. The system will be fully implemented in June to approximately 500 users across a dozen sites at the Kennedy Space Center. Altro Solutions (San Jose) is integrating the entire system. The combination of SGML and XML capabilities with Documentum's robust platform "brings new information management capabilities and productive benefits to complex programs such as NASA's Space Shuttle," said Altro Solutions founder and president Joseph Garappolo. "United Space Alliance is getting a robust, powerful and intuitivebest-of-breed solution," added Larry Warnock, Documentum VP of corporate marketing.