Help authoring tools, or HATs, are software designed to automate the creation, management, and publishing of technical documentation. You can use it to create online help systems, user manuals, API documentation, knowledge bases, and so on.
If you are planning to invest in a help authoring tool, you must ensure that the software you have chosen has the following features:
Single Sourcing
Single sourcing is the perfect alternative to the traditional copy-paste method. It ensures that the content you once created can be reused whenever needed. HATs utilize variables, snippets, conditional text, and other features to reuse the same content without rewriting the same points for various audiences.
For HATs, reused contents are modular assets. It means that whenever you update the source content at one place, the change will become visible wherever it has been reused. This helps users maintain consistency, create error-free content, and complete publishing content much faster than before.
Multi-Format Publishing
You must ensure that your target users find your content on their preferred platform. HAT will let you publish a specific piece of content on multiple platforms and formats. For instance, after writing a procedure, you can use HAT to create the following:
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A PDF for printing
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An in-app instruction manual for software
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An HTML5 site to be used as a help center
Having access to HAT will eliminate the need for manual reformatting of content every time you publish it on a new platform.
Built-in Analytics
If you don’t evaluate your creations, you will never be able to improve. If the HAT you use is an advanced one, it will have built-in analytics that explain how much various users connect to your creations. You will have access to reports that inform:
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Which of your articles enjoyed maximum popularity
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What are the most frequently entered keywords and key phrases
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Whether the users are struggling to find the answers to any question
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Whether any queries of your users remain unanswered
A thorough analysis of the above data will help you identify the areas that you failed to focus on. You will be able to improve the discoverability of your content and make updates according to the needs of actual users.
AI Support
Advanced HATs enable automation of routine tasks through AI integration. Artificial intelligence will also help you by suggesting content improvements, and if required, you will be able to use it to create the initial drafts of your content.
Access Control
As a business owner, you may often want to have control over who can view documentation, create content, edit it, or approve it. The best help authoring tools in use currently come with incredibly powerful content governance features. Examples include access controls based on an individual’s position in your organization, approval workflows, etc.
Final Words
If you want your help authoring tool to have all the above features and more, contact Dr. Explain. You can learn about the software offered by the company by visiting its official website https://www.drexplain.com/. You will not need an expensive setup to use Dr. Explain’s HAT. It will be compatible with the regular Windows PC or laptop you use.
