Documentation Strategies, Inc. is pleased to have long-standing relationships with many clients in the private and public sector. Documentation Strategies' very first client-Krackeler Scientific, Inc. - has been a client since 1981.

Although times and technology have changed, good information design and organizational methodologies remain key to successful projects. One such project is the regularly published Krackeler Scientific catalog. For 20 years, the Documentation Strategies team has worked closely with Krackeler Scientific to organize, write, edit and oversee production of this 1,000 page catalog. To complete the project, Documentation Strategies has developed processes to break the project down into manageable tasks.

Although specific steps have evolved to take advantage of changing technology, the goal remains the same-to attain the highest standard of accuracy and to produce the catalog on time and on budget.

Based in Albany, New York, Krackeler Scientific, Inc. is a major distributor of equipment and supplies for research and scientific laboratories throughout the Northeast. The catalog contains more than 19,000 items, including products ranging from forceps through membranes for biotechnology to complex laboratory instrumentation.

The catalog includes copy and illustrations based on literature from more than 200 manufacturers and vendors. The logistics of tracking individual components and controlling the various versions of each piece are crucial to delivering the best possible product. With over 2,500 illustrations and detailed, descriptive copy based upon literature from more than 200 manufacturers and vendors, tracking the individual components as well as controlling the various versions of the piece is key to delivering an optimal product.

Like any large-scale project, careful early planning and identification of every step toward the final goal are key. Documentation Strategies analyzes and perfects hundreds of individual tasks, building processes and structure for effective information design and presentation. Every member of the team walks through the whole process in advance, watching for potential pitfalls in the process or the tools.

For the first time, the entire Krackeler catalog will be available online at www.ksionline.com. Conversion to the web was facilitated by the systematic structure of the project information developed by Documentation Strategies. As always, the catalog will be published as a hardcover book.

At Documentation Strategies, a project is never too large for the step-by-step structure, process, and methodology of good information design and organization.