During these last weeks, we’ve been working at full capacity on StepAlong, developing many features that, although not immediately visible, are essential for scaling the platform. However, we’ve also focused on visible improvements to create instructions, all based on our users feedback, such as:
- AI-powered text-to-product tutorial conversion
- Optimization of search results in the Instruction Centers
- Usability improvements in the player
- Addition of new languages: Greek and Swedish
Digitalize your paper based instructions with our AI powered copy and paste
With our AI powered text to StepAlong functionality, it is now easier and faster than ever to take your existing instructions and users manuals and bring them over to the StepAlong platform, where you can enjoy the benefits of publishing your instruction both online and in PDF, generating QR codes and high quality AI powered translations.
The functionality structures and groups the information into the relevant sections and adds any missing details, saving time and ensuring that the instructions are coherent and professional. This allows creators to focus on perfecting details, without having to worry about repetitive tasks like formatting or layout.
This feature complements our existing YouTube-to-product tutorial converter, allowing StepAlong clients to create text based instructions from their YouTube product tutorials.
Unlike generic solutions such as ChatGPT, the StepAlong model is specifically designed to understand the context of product instructions and user manuals, ensuring that the technical accuracy and meaning of the content remain intact. This level of precision is crucial to avoid errors or ambiguities that may arise from using non-specialized AI tools.
Instruction Centers with Improved Search Results
We’ve optimized the search functionality in the Instruction Centers. Now, when you search for a term, its exact location within the instructions is displayed. This allows you to go directly to the step, tool, or material where it’s mentioned, saving time. For example, if you’re assembling furniture and find yourself with an extra piece or screw, simply search for the name of the part, and the search will take you directly to the specific step where it is used.
In addition, Instruction Centers, just like StepAlongs, can now be password protected, ensuring that only authorized users have access to the information.
We’ve also added the option to pin certain instructions at the top of search results. This is useful for customers who want to highlight some important instructions and promote their products. Simply select “pin to top,” and those instructions will always be shown first.
Usability Improvements in the Player
Some customers use diagrams without text to create instructions and explain the assembly of parts, this happens a lot with furniture. To meet this need we have expanded the display options for the steps, which now include the following templates: image, text plus image and video plus text.
We know that some instructions include extensive lists of materials or parts, which can make quick reference challenging. To improve usability, only the first few items of long lists will now be displayed by default, and users can expand the list if needed, making navigation easier.
Additionally, many products or kits use a single reference image to indicate all the components in the package or as a parts map. We’ve incorporated this functionality into our material lists, making them more flexible and adaptable to the needs of each product.
Allt klart? ξεκινήσουμε!*
The platform is now available in two new languages: Greek and Swedish. These join the 8 existing languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, and Polish), allowing for automatic translation of any product instruction. AI-powered translations understand the context of the content, producing more natural and accurate results, which significantly reduces the time required to create instructions, review them and edit.
*”All set? Let’s start!”
We are confident that these new features will greatly enhance customers’ experiences in the Instruction Centers, making them more streamlined and efficient. We invite you to explore all the improvements and take full advantage of the new features available in StepAlong.
