Create a manual for the mobile real-time PCR device

Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. Overview

・Established: November 22, 1918

・Capital: 116.6 billion yen (fiscal year ending March 2020)

Number of Employees: Consolidated approximately 27,000 (as of September 30, 2020)

Business Activities: Architectural glass, automotive glass, fine glass business, and creative technology division

Services Utilized

Production of the following two types of manuals

・User manual detailing the usage of the PCR device and accompanying software
(85 pages)

・Quick start manual describing the basic usage of the PCR device itself

Background

Business Innovation Center
Life Sciences Product Division Development Design Section
Section Chief: Toshiki Honnno

Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. (abbreviated) has been providing architectural, automotive, and high-performance glass since its founding in 1918. It is one of the largest glass manufacturers in the world, selling not only in Japan but also in over 100 countries worldwide.

Owned by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.

1. "Proprietary compact fluorescence detection technology that can measure gene quantity with high sensitivity"

② "Technology for Rapid Gene Amplification on Small Plastic Substrates"

We have developed and are selling the mobile real-time PCR device "PicoGene®︎", which achieves miniaturization while maintaining high precision and reducing inspection time by combining various technologies.

PicoGene®︎ Product Site

Challenges Before Implementation

We want to create an official manual for users in preparation for formal sales.

In December 2017, we received an inquiry on the Human Science homepage stating, "Currently, we are creating simple manuals for engineers ourselves, but we would like to create official manuals for sale."

With an eye on expansion into English and Chinese-speaking regions, and subsequently into Europe, there was a need to include safety-related information for each export, and support for that was also desired.

Reasons for Choosing Human Science

Proposals for Approaches Aligned with Abundant Achievements and Product Releases

A competition was held between Human Science and another company. The decisive factors were the track record in manual production, the presence of a writer with experience in PCR devices, and the ability to respond within a short period until product release.

Implementation Process

Review existing manuals and create table of contents structure and sample documents

In January 2018, we reviewed existing manuals and software for engineers, and created a table of contents structure. At the same time, we developed design proposals and sample manuscripts to solidify the direction of production.

Creation of User Manuals

From January to March 2018, I created the manuscript based on the engineer's manual.
I was provided with a PCR device and its accompanying software, and I progressed with the writing while confirming the actual operations.
Additionally, I deepened my understanding of the product by observing the actual operations during multiple meetings regarding the operation of the PCR device itself.
Furthermore, by receiving illustrations and screen data of the product, it became possible to produce within a short delivery time.

Production of Quick Start Manuals

In March 2018, we created a quick start manual by extracting the operating instructions for the PCR device from the user manual.
We used Illustrator to create data for double-sided printing on A3 paper.

User's Manual

Quick Start Manual

Implementation Effects

A manual that is easy to understand for users without knowledge has been created

I am satisfied with the manual that was completed in a readable and understandable format, especially given the limited time before the product release.
Additionally, I believe it was created in an easy-to-translate Japanese, taking multilingual deployment into consideration.

Evaluation of Human Science Co., Ltd.

Although we were busy with schedule changes, they adapted well and stayed with us until the end. We were able to create a satisfactory manual within a short deadline. It was also reassuring to have someone who understood the PCR equipment.

At the time of the transaction, we primarily focused on food hygiene, but now we are expanding into new areas, such as repurposing for the novel coronavirus.

We look forward to future support in the development of manuals for new fields, multilingual translation for overseas expansion, and further development and expansion of products.

Related Services

Creation of Manuals and User Guides