Sie suchen auf: {{ keyword }}
Introduction
Lismar Engineering develops roll inspection systems for the steel and aluminium industries. These systems combine advanced mechanical design, precision sensors, control software and complex installation procedures. As Lismar expanded internationally, they needed a more consistent and scalable way to create documentation that would support their industrial processes, comply with standards and meet the expectations of customers using different machine variants.
Lismar approached INSTRKTIV to professionalise their documentation workflow, introduce a modular content approach and implement a content management system that would allow them to tailor procedures to each customer installation. This case study describes how INSTRKTIV helped Lismar transition from an ad hoc documentation workflow to a structured and CE-compliant documentation process that now supports their global growth.
The Lismar Role Inspection.
The situation before the project
Before INSTRKTIV became involved, documentation at Lismar was created in Help and Manual and maintained by only one internal owner. This caused delays and created a bottleneck. There were no clear responsibilities for documentation tasks and no structured workflow for keeping information up to date.
"No one took responsibility for creating the documentation, and manuals were often not ready when products were delivered or installed at customer sites.
- Pierre de Vries, Technical Director at Lismar Engineering
The content also needed improvement. Lismar had a decent base of their documentation, but it was very clear that it was not compliant with EN IEC/IEEE 82079, and procedures were written as large, unstructured text blocks that did not follow an instruction-based format. Manuals included unnecessary process descriptions written by engineers rather than clear operating and maintenance procedures for end users.
Additionally, Lismar’s systems often serve as add-ons to larger machines, which means documentation must also address compliance requirements under the Machinery Directive. This increased the importance of having correctly structured, CE-ready documentation.
Why Lismar sought external support
Lismar was facing the combined challenges of limited internal capacity, unclear documentation ownership, noncompliance, and the need to customise procedures for machines with multiple variations. They wanted a more efficient and predictable documentation process as well as a system that would allow them to tailor manuals to each customer.
"The main goal was to have a manual that they can tailor for each separate customer because their machine has different variations in terms of the sensors they use, the functionality that it can do”
- Erwin Bergs, lead technical writer at INSTRKTIV BV
They also wanted a content management system their team could rely on in the long term, without relying on a single internal specialist.
INSTRKTIV’s approach
INSTRKTIV began with an extensive workshop involving thirty-five participants across the entire company. This was the largest workshop INSTRKTIV had ever hosted and included software engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, ICT staff, maintenance specialists and installation technicians. The broad participation ensured strong internal alignment.
"Everyone knew what was said, which created company-wide support for the
chosen documentation strategy and process"
- Ferry Vermeulen, Founder at INSTRKTIV
Following the workshop, INSTRKTIV analysed Lismar’s full product portfolio and documented the outputs required for each installation, including operating procedures, maintenance procedures, spare part information, training materials, and installation content.
Three content management systems were evaluated. MadCap Flare was selected because it met all of Lismar’s technical requirements, supported both print and HTML outputs, and allowed the creation of modular content. INSTRKTIV then implemented the CMS and migrated all documentation into structured topics.
Within the CMS, INSTRKTIV separated each machine function into individual topics. This makes it possible to assemble a customised set of procedures for each installation.
“We get a list of what the machine does, and then we can select the topics in MadCap Flare that go with that, and we can output a tailored manual specific to that customer”
- Erwin Bergs, lead technical writer at INSTRKTIV BV
INSTRKTIV also restructured all procedures according to ISO 82079 and CE-related requirements. This included rewriting descriptive engineering text into clear, ordered steps, standardising terminology, improving safety information and ensuring consistency across all outputs.
Collaboration and project execution
Regular meetings were held during the initial implementation to monitor progress and clarify open points. Once the system was stable, communication shifted to direct contact between INSTRKTIV’s technical writer and Lismar’s subject matter experts to efficiently update existing procedures and develop documentation for new installations or software updates.
Lismar also asked INSTRKTIV to document the Line Connect software that their systems rely on. Integrating hardware, software, and installation procedures into a single documentation framework increased consistency and made the material more complete.
Collaboration with Lismar’s engineering team has always been strong. The team is very accessible, and they’re very knowledgeable. If they don’t know, they will internally check and get back to us fairly quickly.
- Jean-Pierre Barsoumian, project coordinator at INSTRKTIV
Results and impact
The most important improvement is that Lismar now has CE-compliant documentation that follows EN 82079 principles and uses a consistent structure, terminology, and layout. The new procedures are clear, task-based and easy for operators to follow.
The modular content approach has significantly reduced the time needed to prepare documentation for each installation. Because each topic is reusable, the documentation can be assembled quickly and accurately based on customer-specific variations.
Lismar can also respond more confidently to international customers because it now provides procedures that meet European compliance requirements. They can now easily sell their products throughout the entire EU because each deliverable is now consistent and compliant.
Another significant benefit is that the documentation now covers the full scope of the system. Lismar’s machines combine complex hardware with advanced software, and the new material integrates both in a single framework. This supports better operator performance and reduces the number of customer questions.
Finally, the collaboration has been positive on a personal level. Lismar described INSTRKTIV as “a very nice team, very easy to work with, which contributed to the success of the project."
Part of the Lismar team.
Conclusion
The collaboration with Lismar Engineering demonstrates how INSTRKTIV supports companies in the process industry with scalable, compliant and structured documentation. By introducing a modular content strategy and implementing MadCap Flare, INSTRKTIV enabled Lismar to create tailored procedures for each installation while ensuring consistency, CE compliance and efficiency.
This project also shows INSTRKTIV’s strength in aligning large multidisciplinary teams, transforming engineer-written content into clear operational procedures and supporting advanced industrial processes that combine hardware, software and customised configurations.
Lismar now has a future-proof documentation process that enables it to grow internationally, reduce operational risks and deliver high-quality procedures to every customer installation.
