Your service provider for precise and effective content
Your service provider for precise and effective content
Technical documentation
Today's user manuals and operating instructions convey much more than just a simple description of how to use a given product. They make a decisive contribution to safety, customer satisfaction and the image of your company. However, there is often a lack of internal resources or the necessary expertise to create technical documentation that complies with legal requirements and is easy for users to understand.
KERN supports you in creating standards-compliant and professionally prepared technical documentation. As an experienced service provider for technical documentation, we support you from planning and editing to translation – efficiently, comprehensibly and in compliance with legal requirements.
What does KERN TecDoc offer in the field of technical documentation?
KERN TecDoc offers you a wide range of services and many years of experience in the field of technical documentation. Our experienced team of technical writers and editors will support you in the creation of high-quality and precise technical documentation. We understand the language of different industries and know how to convey complex technical information in an understandable and user-friendly manner.
Technical editing
We work with various editorial systems and can integrate them seamlessly into your existing processes and tools. Our goal is to enable technical editing and flexible, efficient collaboration in the creation of technical documentation. For a thorough review and evaluation of your existing technical documentation, we offer our document check service. We ensure that your documentation conforms to the latest standards, regulations and best practices.
Standards & certifications
If you wish to legally place your products on the market within the European Economic Area (EEA), we will help you to comply with European directives and standards for CE marking. Our experts will guide you throughout the entire process. They will ensure that your products comply with the applicable safety and quality standards.
Visual design & use of media
We create illustrations and graphics as required to visually accompany your documentation. From technical drawings and 3D visualisations to animated graphics, we offer a wide range of solutions. Our goal is to visually enrich your documentation and present complex information graphically.
Cross-sector expertise
KERN serves various industries, including automotive, medical technology, consumer electronics, electrical engineering, military, marine and aviation. Our expertise in these areas allows us to meet specific requirements and standards. We develop customised solutions that are tailored to the individual needs of your industry.
Training & consulting
In addition, we offer interactive workshops for technical documentation to train and strengthen your team. As part of these workshops, we impart knowledge on technical editing, documentation that conforms to standards, content management systems and more. This gives your team the opportunity to expand their capabilities and equips them for optimisation of their own documentation processes.
Flexible staffing solutions
If you need additional specialists for technical documentation for a short period of time, we offer you a fast and uncomplicated assignment of staff. Our qualified staff will support you in a flexible and reliable manner in your projects and ensure that you can use your resources according to your needs.
Your technical documentation at KERN: how does the collaboration work?
Our collaboration follows a structured, proven process to ensure that your technical documentation meets the highest standards.
In the first step, we analyse your requirements together and clarify which documents you need – be it operating instructions, CE marking or a service manual. In doing so, we check which standards and regulations are relevant in order to ensure your documentation is legally watertight. We also determine which target groups and markets need to be addressed and whether translation or localisation into different languages is required. If you already have internal resources for documentation, we will determine where you need external support and how our service can be optimally integrated into your existing processes.
The aim of this initial consultation is to draw up a clear roadmap for the next steps.
During the planning phase, we review existing documents and analyse them for completeness, comprehensibility and compliance with standards. If no documentation is available, or if it is insufficient, we will gather all relevant information from your technical experts, engineers and product developers. We then organise this information into a logical structure that enables smooth information transfer.
Based on this analysis, we define the content and develop a precise outline for the documentation. At the same time, we set the time frame and determine what resources are needed for the project. This creates a structured roadmap that clearly defines the entire document creation process.
Now the actual text creation begins, which is carried out by our experienced technical editors. They formulate the content precisely, in accordance with standards and specifically for the target group, so that the technical documentation remains easy to understand. In addition, we create illustrations, diagrams and other visual elements to clearly present complex issues.
We take all relevant standards and regulations into account to ensure that your documentation is legally compliant and meets all legal requirements. We also work with modern editorial systems that enable a modular structure. This makes it easier to reuse content and implement future updates efficiently.
Before the documentation is released, it undergoes a multi-stage review process. Our subject matter experts check the content for accuracy, completeness and comprehensibility. In addition, editing is carried out to ensure linguistic clarity and consistency.
Another important step is the standards check, in which we ensure that all legal and industry-specific requirements are met. If desired, the documentation can be proofread by users or technicians to ensure that it is easy to understand and use in practice.
After final acceptance, you will receive your technical documentation in the desired formats. If necessary, we offer training so that your team can work optimally with the new documents and editorial systems.
In addition, we take care of integrating the documentation into your existing systems and digital platforms. As products and regulations are constantly evolving, we also undertake regular updates and adjustments on request. This is how we ensure that your documentation remains up to date, compliant with standards and practical in the long term.
What makes KERN's technical documentation stand out?
Rely on KERN's many years of experience and expertise to take your technical documentation to the next level. We offer customised solutions tailored to your specific needs. We accompany you from the conception to the publication of your documentation. With our extensive range of services, we are your reliable partner for successful technical documentation in various industries.
Are you seeking advice on technical documentation?
You can also obtain a non-binding quote online at any time.
Technical documentation brochure
- Technical documentation
- Five steps towards successful implementation
- Expertise that helps you on your way to success
- Editorial systems
- The document check
- The CE marking
- Innovative presentation methods
Frequently asked questions about technical documentation
What is technical documentation?
The technical documentation comprises all structured information that explains the use, operation, maintenance and safety of a product or machine. This includes:
- Operating and assembly instructions
- Maintenance and repair manuals
- Technical manuals
- Safety and risk assessments
- Software and online help
- Standards and guidelines documentation
Professional technical documentation not only ensures legally compliant use, but also helps to reduce support enquiries, increase efficiency and meet legal requirements.
KERN TecDoc supports companies with technical editing, localisation, translation and media-appropriate preparation of content – for tailor-made and standards-compliant documentation.
What does technical documentation entail?
Technical documentation is a collection of information describing a product or service. This information is intended to give users all the necessary details to correctly use, maintain or repair a product or service. Elements that may be included in a technical documentation include:
- Introduction and product overview: an introduction that describes the product or service and provides an overview of the content of the documentation
- Product description: a detailed description of the product or service, including technical specifications and functionality
- Installation: instructions for proper installation and configuration of the product
- Operation and use: step-by-step instructions on how to use the product, including operating instructions, user interface descriptions, etc.
- Maintenance and care: tips for regular maintenance and care to ensure optimal performance and longevity
- Troubleshooting: instructions on how to identify and fix issues or errors that may occur when using the product
- Safety precautions: important safety notices and warnings to inform the user about potential hazards and help prevent damage
- Technical drawings and illustrations: graphical representations that facilitate understanding, such as technical drawings, diagrams, section views, or images
- Glossary and list of abbreviations: a list of technical terms and abbreviations to facilitate communication
What requirements must technical documentation meet?
Professional technical documentation is much more than a collection of instructions – it serves to ensure legally compliant product communication, protects against liability risks and guarantees safe and efficient use. In order to fulfil its purpose, it must be clearly understandable, well structured and adapted to the respective target group. In addition, legal requirements and standards must be complied with, especially if the product is marketed internationally.
The most important requirements include:
- Compliance with standards (e.g. Machinery Directive, CE marking)
- Well structured and clearly worded
- Clearly label safety-related content
- Adaptable to multiple languages, if necessary
What types of documents are typically created for technical documentation?
In the technical documentation, various essential technical documents are created in order to provide users with comprehensive information about products:
- Operating instructions: these provide comprehensive instructions for using and handling products, including safety-related notes and troubleshooting tips to ensure safe use.
- Assembly instructions: these documents contain detailed descriptions and graphical representations that explain the process of assembling or installing products or devices step by step.
- Maintenance and repair manuals: these are essential for maintenance, and provide detailed instructions for regular servicing as well as solutions to common problems and faults.
- Product datasheets: these provide an overview of the technical specifications, functions and applications of the products and often serve as the first source of information for technical details.
- Safety precautions: these important documents provide information on potential risks and instructions to minimise risks during use of the product.
- Training materials: these are designed to give users and technicians the knowledge they need to use and maintain products effectively, often in the form of manuals, online tutorials or video tutorials.
- Installation instructions: these provide detailed information on the correct set-up and initial commissioning of devices and systems to ensure optimal function.
- User guides: comprehensive instructions covering all aspects of product use, from basic functions to advanced features.
- Service instructions:: these documents are intended for service and support teams and contain specialised information for fault diagnosis and repair.
- Technical specifications and standards: detailed descriptions of the technical requirements and standards relevant for the development, production and testing of products.
- Software documentation: software documentation comprises all written, graphical or structured information that facilitates the understanding, use, development or maintenance of software. It is a central component of the software development process and is aimed at various target groups such as developers, administrators and end users.
These documents play a central role in ensuring the user-friendliness, security and technical compliance of products and play a key role in ensuring customer satisfaction and compliance with industry standards.
What are the advantages of working with a technical editor?
A technical editor is responsible for:
- Precise, comprehensible and standards-compliant documentation
- Optimisation of texts for different target groups (end customers, specialists, authorities)
- Compliance with international standards (e.g. DIN EN IEC 82079, ISO 17100 for translations)
- Save time through professional creation and structuring
- Reduction in support enquiries, as the instructions are easy to understand
KERN TecDoc offers experienced technical editors for a wide range of industries and requirements.
How much does technical documentation cost?
The costs depend on:
- Scope and complexity of the document
- Industry and technical specifications
- Number of languages required
- Formatting and layout requirements
- Standards and guideline requirements
KERN TecDoc will prepare a customised quote for you after reviewing your requirements. Enquire about your project directly!
Is technical documentation available in all languages?
Yes, KERN offers technical translations in over 100 languages. Our specialist translators with technical expertise ensure:
- Terminologically consistent translations
- Compliance with industry-specific standards
- Consideration of country-specific regulations
By using translation management systems and terminology databases, we guarantee efficient and cost-effective translation of your technical documentation.
What role do editorial systems play in technical documentation?
Editorial systems enable efficient, consistent and modular creation and management of documentation. They facilitate collaboration, ensure compliance with templates and reduce costs through content reuse.
What are the advantages of digitising technical documentation?
Digital documentation is easier to update, search and distribute. They enable interactive content, faster updates and a better user experience.
How can the quality of technical documentation be ensured?
High quality is guaranteed through clear processes, the use of qualified editors, regular reviews, the use of editorial systems and compliance with international standards.