Technical Docs Via the Cloud

Lately, cloud-based computing has emerged amongst the most favored mode of computing.

Also included is SaaS (Software as a Service) development. Instances of cloud computing are Gmail by Google - Contrast to local installing on the PC, it is set up on a remote server employing the user's Internet browser. Question is, can technical documentation progress in the same direction? We shall look at a few approaches. Why Cloud? Many reasons come to light for a Technical Writer to make use of cloud-based authoring tools.
Firstly, we have the cost factor.
Rather than buying an application, cloud-dependent tools are usually presented on a monthly fee.
If you plan to shift to a DITA environment, cloud computing can translate into a viable expense option.
Costs normally linked with procuring a DITA option is a great example.
Here are a few other reasons cloud-dependent tools are an inexpensive solution. In case you hire a technical authoring partner or contractors, cloud lets you add them in a fast and easy manner to the authoring system.

Cloud computing normally offers the avenue to work in a collaborative writing context. In case you have staffed an external technical author, cloud offers the chance to make minor updates to your documentation on a later stage.
Check in/out Aspect In case your firm has remote staff or collaborative writing, you really don't need to shift towards a cloud-dependent system.

Prominent authoring tools like FrameMaker and RoboHelp employ a check in/out design rather than a cloud-dependent model.

Technical Authors can check out content on a topic and later edit it remotely.
The writer may then check in the finished content back in the topic by email. For the check in/out model to work, the Help Authoring needs to be installed on the author's computers. Also, you can't keep an eye while they write.
However, this is an approach worth pondering.
Personal Cloud Several firms blindly include remote employees to their present network.

The company holds it own personal cloud - a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Usually, the IT guys decide if the remote worker has to be granted access to the network.
As an alternative, you can build a personal cloud dedicated towards your department. A server within the Cloud can be built utilizing the EC2 service by Amazon or options by firms such as Azure or RackSpace. In case you chose not to inform the IT guys about the creation of your personal VPN, ensure it is within your firms IT policy.

The rationale behind choosing a cloud-dependent system is as valid in the Tech Writing Department as it is with other groups. As time passes by it is likely that this service may take further flight.