Combined navigator and viewer that allows metadata (information about documents that can be read and understood by all handling applications) to be exchanged in a neutral format
A new version of Columbus, said to be the world's most popular document management system, has been announced by software house Oasys.
Columbus Professional compliments the original Columbus, which can still be downloaded free of charge from the Oasys website.
Upgrading to Columbus Pro costs from just £13.00, also from the website.
Although originally developed for the construction industry, over 25,000 companies in 174 countries have registered Columbus, making it the world's most popular document management system.
Furthermore, the software attracts 40 new companies every day.
Columbus is a combined navigator and viewer that allows metadata (information about documents that can be read and understood by all handling applications) to be exchanged in a neutral format.
Both the Stellent and the Rasterex viewing engines,engines are incorporated into the software, which can view over 300 different file formats.
In contrast to most document management systems, which store details about a document in a database, Columbus works directly with your file system, extracting desired information straight from any accessible folders and gathering it all under one heading, even if files are spread across several servers and are accessed by different programs.
The viewing and storage features provide increased productivity and better project management and, as a result, Columbus appeals to a wide user base including commerce, government, education and law.
Columbus Professional adds a host of new features, including support for OfficeXP, AutoCad 2004 and MicroStation V8.
There is also a remote deployment tool to simplify installation and a scanning module providing output in PDF or multipage Tiff.
Columbus embraces your existing folder security, allowing you to control documents through familiar and reliable methods.
It also offers a 'redline' facility for allowing you to digitally mark up many documents.
Its look and feel is similar to Microsoft Windows Explorer, making it intuitive to use and reducing any resistance to change. "Columbus has been hugely popular and continues to expand its user base at an impressive rate," said Alec Milton, director of Oasys.
"However, as a free product, its development was governed by fixed funds.
By providing the charged-for professional version we can fund a much more capable tool which develops at a higher pace."
