Working in repositories
The multi-repository model circumvents the need for file locking while simultaneously providing a fully functional collaborative authoring environment.
The project repository (labeled Project Files) acts as the central storage location for all the content that is not currently being updated by authors. Files are always added, deleted, and modified from each member's Drafts repository and then posted into the Project Files repository in a controlled fashion. Because no one has write access to the Project Files repository and everyone has their own Drafts repository to work from, the need for file locking is neatly circumvented, allowing authors to work without fear of file locking errors.
The ability to peek into all the members' Drafts repository means that no author is ever truly isolated and gives peers, team leads, and managers the ability to check or oversee without interfering.
This model also means that a single, comprehensive history of all changes to a file can be maintained in one spot and that authors can choose when their content becomes available to other members of the project for review or publishing.
At the same time, this interface is simple and built specifically for technical documentation teams. When compared to Microsoft SharePoint, the overhead and management of CloudDraft's collaborative environment is sleek and simple.