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More and more companies use videos in their documentation. This raises the question: Can videos be managed with a content management system like SCHEMA ST4? The answer is a resounding yes.
But what makes video instructions so popular? It’s quite simple: Videos are often easier to understand. Facts and processes can be presented more clearly than in text only. Interested users can acquire knowledge quickly and save themselves long reading times. For example, video instructions on YouTube are the first source of information for many users with a wide variety of problems. It is not without reason that the video platform is now the second-largest search engine behind Google.
Based on a content management system
If you are already familiar with the advantages of a (component) content management system or if you are already using such a system, then you know that administrating information and resources in the (C)CMS can be an enormous work relief. This applies not only to texts and images, but also to videos.
Of course, the videos have to be created first. Unfortunately, even a CMS cannot reduce this effort. But with a (C)CMS like SCHEMA ST4 you are able to provide your videos with standardized content like icons or text overlays. The advantages of a CMS apply to this content: it can be used in different places and in different forms (e.g. languages). So, you don’t have to open an editing program every time to adapt it because content management is also available for moving images!
What ST4 offers for your videos
To enhance the effectiveness of videos and especially their instructional function, there are numerous options directly in the CMS. You don’t have to go through the time-consuming and possibly redundant process of editing individual videos. ST4 offers you various default features to generate an appropriate HTML output for videos.
To make instructional videos more comprehensible and traceable, it makes sense to divide a video into several shorter sections. In other words, divide the procedure of a complex repair into individual steps. The advantage: Instead of tediously searching for the relevant part in a long video, users can jump to the important part. This part can easily be watched several times without having to rewind.
A prerequisite for this is, of course, a menu which provides an overview of the content and which can be used to navigate specifically to individual videos. In this way, those who are interested do not lose track and, above all, their patience.
Overlay texts
A picture does say more than 100 words and a moving image even more so, but even a video cannot do without words. At certain points, it may be necessary to insert important notes, additional information or explanations as text. As already mentioned, you can reuse existing content from your CMS and use it in various languages without any problems.
Icons
Additional information can be displayed not only as text but also as icons, e.g. warnings, information on necessary work equipment, protective clothing, tools or materials.
Of course, the graphic information can be provided with links – just like text – and direct the viewer to spare part catalogues or data sheets. This reduces the need for time-consuming research afterwards.
Graphic elements
Graphics can be used to emphasize individual parts of the video. They are used in the video as overlay elements. Various shapes such as arrows or ellipses make the relevant parts even clearer and draw the viewer’s attention.
Animations
You do not necessarily have to use a filmed video as an instruction, at least not exclusively. It is also possible to create an animation from graphics and texts that are strung together as sequences.
Videos in ST4 – a topic for you?
ST4, or a (C)CMS in general, can be of great help if you want to use instructional videos in your documentation. If you already use a CMS, you can easily link your videos to existing content. For language-relevant content, this saves you the work of adapting the video for each language and exchanging the content.
We have already implemented a video portal with ST4 for customers. The feedback has been very positive, both from the technical writers and the target group. If you are interested in integrating videos into your ST4, please contact us. We are happy to give you a live demonstration of our solution!
