When it comes to managing complex technical documentation, the aviation, defense, and manufacturing sectors turn to S1000D, the international standard for structured documentation. At the heart of every S1000D-compliant document lies a powerful identifier — the Data Module Code (DMC).
But what exactly is a DMC, and why does it matter so much? More importantly, how does Smartify Software Solutions make handling DMCs seamless through its intelligent in-house authoring platform, SMATO Author?
Let’s decode the story.
🧩 What is a Data Module Code (DMC)?
A DMC is like a digital fingerprint for every data module in S1000D. It tells you what the content is about, where it belongs, what system or component it refers to, and how it fits in the bigger picture.
Think of it as a structured, machine-readable address. A DMC might look something like this:
Each segment of this string conveys critical metadata — including the system, subsystem, sub-subsystem, and type of information (procedural, descriptive, etc.).
But while DMCs are incredibly powerful, manually managing them can be painful — especially when you’re dealing with thousands of modules across large projects.
🤖 Where Most Struggle, SMATO Author Simplifies
At Smartify Software Solutions, we know that structured data shouldn’t come with structured headaches. That’s why we built SMATO Author, a fully S1000D-compliant authoring environment that automates the entire DMC lifecycle.
Here’s how SMATO makes life easier for technical authors and documentation teams:
✅ 1. Intelligent DMC Generator
No more guesswork or flipping through BREX rules — SMATO comes with an intuitive DMC Generator that:
- Auto-populates code structure based on project configuration
- Prevents duplication across large content repositories
- Ensures 100% compliance with the latest S1000D issue standards
✅ 2. Visual Breakdown of DMC Components
Authors can instantly view a human-readable breakdown of any DMC:
“Oh, this is a Maintenance Procedure for the Fuel Injection Subsystem of Engine Group 10.”
This clarity reduces errors and accelerates authoring.
✅ 3. DMC Validation & Reuse Suggestions
SMATO cross-checks new entries against existing data modules to promote reuse — one of the key pillars of S1000D philosophy. It flags inconsistencies before they become project risks.
✅ 4. Seamless Integration with CSDB
Once authored, each module and its DMC are securely stored and indexed in Smartify’s CSDB (Common Source Database), enabling version control, workflow routing, and downstream publishing.
✨ A Human-Centric Tool for a Highly Structured Standard
S1000D may be complex by design — but that doesn’t mean the authoring experience has to be. SMATO Author brings a sense of clarity, speed, and control to technical writers who work with Data Module Codes daily.
We built it not just to follow the rules — but to make working within those rules smart, intuitive, and future-ready.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Managing DMCs shouldn’t feel like cracking a military-grade code every time you author a paragraph. With Smartify’s SMATO Author, you can finally focus on content quality — while we take care of the structure.
Smartify Software Solutions continues to innovate in the field of IETM/IETP authoring tools, helping organizations around the world simplify the complexity of technical documentation.
📘 Ready to experience structured authoring without the stress?
Let’s talk SMATO AUTHOR.
