Dax Data launches RoboHelp X5, RoboInfo 5.0

Dax Data, local Macromedia distributor, has announced the immediate availability of Macromedia RoboHelp X5, the latest version of the industry-standard help authoring tool used by developers and technical writers to create professional help systems and documentation for desktop and Web-based applications.

The company has also launched Macromedia RoboInfo 5.0, enabling organisations to easily and cost-effectively publish and manage policies and procedures online. Macromedia acquired eHelp, the maker of both products, in December 2003.

With RoboHelp X5, users can leverage new features including support for XML, PDF import/export, content management, distributed workforces, team authoring capabilities, as well as the newly released JavaHelp 2.0 from Sun Microsystems.

RoboHelp X5 also includes FlashHelp, a bandwidth-efficient and firewall-friendly help format based on Macromedia Flash that is consistent across popular browsers and platforms. With more companies delivering rich Internet applications using Flash, the ability to include integrated help within these improved user experiences will further their adoption.

"The RoboHelp product is the best in its class for help authoring and allows developers to seamlessly integrate Flash-based help and tutorials into the digital experiences they create," says Jeremy Matthews, MD, Dax Data.

"RoboHelp X5 was created with the developer`s and technical writer`s `wish-list` in mind," he says. "Macromedia has added XML support as well as content management and team authoring capabilities to take advantage of industry trends like telecommuting, remote office support and occasionally connected computing."

The product also empowers distributed workforces with the ability to remotely check-in and check-out files, contribute information to help projects and synchronise changes to files when computers are back online.

Team authoring support in RoboHelp X5 makes it easier for teams to contribute and collaborate on the same project, coordinate workflow and generate the final help system through features like check-in and check-out capabilities, permissions, password security and administrative tools.

"The RoboInfo 5.0 solution provides any size organisation with the power to efficiently publish and manage policies and procedures online," says Matthews. "The powerful new content management features in RoboInfo 5.0 make it simple for heavily regulated organisations to supply employees with the critical information needed to ensure compliance with initiatives in the government, finance and healthcare sectors."

RoboInfo 5.0 contains new robust content management features such as workflow audit trails, version control with document rollback and administrator permissions that empower companies to obtain complete control of their online policies and procedures from creation through delivery.

Information technology managers, human resources professionals and call centre managers can use RoboInfo to deliver everything online, from employee manuals and reference materials to policies and procedures.