U.S. Marines

Challenge:
Answering the Public’s Need for Accurate, Timely Information

It’s important to the United States Marine Corps that it distribute needed information to the public—orders, forms and historical publications.  But the distribution format and method wasn’t fulfilling USMC’s growing needs.  Software the public could use to browse publications was under an expensive and proprietary exclusive license.  The text-based file format resulted in electronic documents that were inaccurate in content and layout. And preparing documents in the proprietary format took the work of a dozen Marines, who despite their efforts often ended up behind deadline. Documents were difficult to find and navigate; forms were in a file format that required entirely different software.

Solution:
SharePoint, a Web Brower and an Efficient Workflow System

First, Edge transferred all of the electronic files from the legacy system to a complete PDF solution.  Then we created a SharePoint portal where we can provide documents for review, editing, and approval.  Marines and the public now use a web browser and the free Adobe Reader to view all publications and fill out forms. On a quarterly basis, we review and revise as needed content and layout, so that all electronic documents are identical to the original versions. We maintain a comprehensive search and navigation system, so users can find documents easily. Edge also established an efficient workflow system that keeps the work on deadline and frees the Marines to perform other duties. We publish multi-CD sets of these documents in travel-ready packaging. USMC is also able to view these documents online for a multichannel publishing solution.

Result:
Public Served, Marines Free for Mission-Critical Duties, Costs Saved

The USMC can distribute documents that are easier to use and accurate.  The 12 Marines were free to perform more mission-critical duties. Edge also saved the USMC the proprietary license cost. Our expertise and advice and our long-term program management have also saved more than our contract cost in enterprise-wide software licensing alone.

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