So what is an IPSS (Intelligent Product Support System)?
You may well be wondering what an IPSS (Intelligent Product Support System) is? Well here's a description:
A conventional paper-based product manual ensures that users and maintainers of products are provided with adequate information and guidance for simpler products that are operated and maintained by qualified users, working in close co-operation when needed with the manufacturer and supplier of the product.
Technological developments that have taken place over the past years coupled with the increase in globalisation and international trade have begun to draw attention to the deficiencies of paper-based product support. Issues exist with the hierarchical structure of paper manuals, the quantity of information contained in them, and the lack of direct communication between the user and the manufacturer or supplier. Weakness were also exposed in the processes for collecting and integrating product data (including the downstream reuse of product design data), maintenance of product data (including fault data) and presentation of data
Therefore IPPSs aim to rectify these deficiencies. The following definition, summarises the goal of IPSSs and their main features: Intelligent Product Support Systems are computerised support systems that use product life-cycle information, expert knowledge and Hypermedia to provide just-in-time support to the user during the life of the product.
They're also know as IPMs (Intelligent Product Manuals) and IETM (Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals).
If you want to know more you might want to visit the downloads page and download EAPSTRA Deliverable 1 that gives implementation guidelines for IPSS and also cover many allied technologies.