Warfare Development Command Upgrades User Interface of Navy Doctrine Library System

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC) upgraded the Navy Doctrine Library System (NDLS) user interface for easier, more intuitive navigation and faster system response times.

Specifically, the new NDLS interface now includes uniformly consistent site navigation and standard toolbar conventions on each page as well as new graphic upgrades to enhance the overall experience.

"As the only comprehensive source of up-to-date Navy doctrine and tactics publications, the Fleet needs to be able to quickly find relevant materials on NDLS when planning and executing their missions," said Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft, commander, NWDC. "Searching NDLS is now in line with commercial search engines that find information quickly and also suggests other relevant subjects and documents for the user."

NDLS has undergone an almost complete overhaul during 2012. Its original features have also been enhanced to make the system easier and faster to use:

* Customize bookmarks, bookshelves and folders help users navigate to items of personal interest.

* Personal, multiple "bookshelves" can be built to store very specific topics for quick, frequent reference. Personal bookshelves can be shared and accessed by other users.

* A number of pre-populated mission-area bookshelves are available on the site, based on requests from users for easy download in such areas as Ballistic Missile Defense, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief.

* Google-like search engine to search within each PDF file and other data within the site.

* A spider-like "Thinkmap" diagram shows relationships between Navy Tactical Tasks and all related documents, establishing direct links between operational planning and the doctrine guiding execution of those tasks.

* Common Access Card (CAC) log-in means users no longer have to remember user name and password.

* Unit librarians and others can track status of changes to the Navy doctrine library by subscribing to NAVPUB messages, individual Publications, and groups of publications, and downloading a real-time publication list for the entire library.

* NDLS is now a central point for users who need to order publication hard copies sent to your command directly from the Navy Logistics Library (NLL).

"The new website provides a very unique experience to users who are either looking for specific-area manuals, or even causally browsing," said Electrician's Mate First Class (SW/AW) Arthur L. Stone, Electrical Leading Petty Officer at Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pacific Northwest, a frequent NDLS user. "NDLS is efficient in providing a platform for users to search, read and save manuals to their bookshelves."

The NDLS SIPRNET site is currently being upgraded and will transition to token login when the new version is launched.

With more than 750 Navy doctrine and tactics publications, tactical memoranda and Fleet CONOPS, NDLS is the one-stop repository for all Navy doctrine, tactics, and related products. NDLS also hosts Joint and Allied publications and instructions on how to find publications that cannot be posted to the site for security reasons. NDLS can be accessed at: https://ndls.nwdc.navy.mil.>
For more news from Navy Warfare Development Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/nwdc/.