New Version PDF Server Manages Document Conversion

Global Graphics has released Version 4.0 of its Jaws PDF Server.

Global Graphics has released Version 4.0 of its Jaws PDF Server.

The server-based software lets system administrators create automated PDF workflows that manage the conversion of users' documents in to PDF files for corporate file sharing.

Version 4.0 of Jaws PDF Server gives system administrators and their users the full range of features available in the previous version.

The company said that they include high level security, close integration with Microsoft Office for Windows, fast web downloads and accurate colour handling, as well as the ability to produce files that are fully compliant with the PDF 1.5 specification.

Support for hosting the application on a Citrix server or via Windows Terminal Services has been added to the new release.

For the first time a self-contained, downloadable evaluation version of the software is available from the company.

Jaws PDF Server's drag-and-drop workflow management interface allows administrators to specify access and usage parameters amongst users and automatically manage a PDF workflow.

It provides a cost-effective way of allowing everyone in an organisation to create and distribute documents as PDF files, claimed Global Graphics.

Amongst its key features is its administrator interface.

That is a drag-and-drop graphical interface that is said to simplify configuration and workflow administration.

Pre-defined or custom PDF settings can be utilised and the Jaws PDF Server offers full control over PDF configuration settings and allows users or corporate administrators, who want to impose corporate standards, to pre-define PDF configuration settings.

They can be selected at the point of PDF generation.

The administrator makes them available as printer drivers or hot folders across different departments within an organisation.

With the software, Windows users can convert documents to the PDF format from within almost any application, retaining the exact format, graphics, fonts and colour of the original.

Users can simply 'print' to PDF or click on a toolbar icon that installs in Microsoft Word and Powerpoint to create 'intelligent' PDF files that retain features from the original document, such as bookmarks and hyperlinks, said the company.

As users subsequently consolidate other documents to create larger documents in their Document Management System, the enhanced capabilities become important for building PDF documents that have added value in terms of searching and finding relevant information and navigation capabilities.

Mac, Unix and Linux workstations can also 'print to PDF.' The Jaws PDF Server produces files compliant with the PDF 1.5 specification that can subsequently be used with Jaws PDF Editor and Adobe Acrobat.

Users can produce and define encrypted PDF files to restrict viewing, editing and printing capabilities in the case of confidential or sensitive documents.

The company added that PDF files produced by Jaws PDF Server can be configured to optimise the file for high-resolution printing, printing on desktop printers, or web publishing.

The server can also be configured to spread the workload throughout a cluster of servers in a workgroup, increasing productivity and throughput.

Different workflows can be set up for different purposes or departments, said Global Graphics.

For high resolution printing Jaws PDF Server distills files containing device-independent CIE-based colours that are all stored within the Jaws PDF file.

The software also contains reliable font embedding and image compression capabilities.

The company added that PDF files created using Jaws PDF Server can subsequently be used with Jaws PDF Editor, giving users flexible comment and mark up capabilities, plus the ability to view, search, manipulate, merge and print PDF documents.

Jaws PDF Server combined with Jaws PDF Editor provides a tool for high volumes and gives users only the functions that they need at a cost-effective price.

Global Graphics believes that Jaws PDF Server makes it easy for IT system administrators to design and centrally manage any number of distribution procedures according to document destinations.

It consists of three modules that integrate to automate and optimise PDF file conversion.

Smartinput and Queuer control the file input and output paths, whilst Jaws PDF Creator creates the optimised PDF files.

A drag-and-drop graphical interface simplifies configuration and gives the administrator simple control over jobs coming in to the workflow, including changing the job queue and priority, placing jobs on hold and searching jobs.

In addition to supporting native applications, Jaws PDF Server can also be used to create PDF workflow systems where Postscript language, Encapsulated Postscript (EPS) and TIFF files can be placed in to hot folders for conversion to optimized PDF files and subsequent distribution.

Jaws PDF Server Version 4.0 expands on previous platform support and includes support for Windows 2000 Server, 2003 Server, XP, Windows 2003 Server running Terminal Services, Windows 2000, Windows 2003 Server running Citrix Metaframe Presentation Server 3.0.

Jaws PDF Server Version 4.0 is available immediately from authorised resellers and distributors.

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