A vast amount of data is generated in the production of modern software systems such as training systems, requiring well-monitored yet heretofore time-consuming maintenance and configuration management. The paper's premise is that development and management of software documentation for training systems can now benefit from the utilization of recently innovated automated documentation tools and CASE tools. Tools now at the disposal of the industry have the ability to automate document generation and management for integration within a distributed environment. The time and thereby cost savings associated with such automation is incalculable.

An example is demonstrated using the development of Software Development Folders (SDFs) for the Joint Simulation System (JSIMS) Enterprise. The SDFs, considered prototypical for Build 0, were created and refined using an Enterprise-selected document automation tool, in conjunction with a modeling CASE tool. The document automation tool facilitated the insertion of script commands to document various types of data associated with the object-oriented Categories and Classes. The tools' capability to so "link" to diverse data in a distributed environment is further augmented by utilizing hyperlink capability and Internet Web directories. Such ability to automatically gather distributed information provides a training audience with "at-a-glance" views of specific documentation. Pertinent data can be accessed in real time from just one source.

Using an automated system is advantageous simply because the data can be updated on a requisite basis without the obvious risk of missing some crucial piece of the puzzle. Automation allows training participants to more fully concentrate on their lesson activities without the necessity of opening many sources to ensure they are in possession of the latest data. Of greatest consequence, however, is not the automation itself, but the potential widespread usage of available technology to enable such a networked system.