New versions of pdfFactory, pdfFactory Pro and FinePrint seek to meet the trend of "PDFing"—skipping paper copies entirely in favor of PDFs.Server Edition versions designed for use in a network environment offer centralized control and support of enterprise-wide PDF creation and printing management tools.
FinePrint Software LLC released server editions of its pdfFactory and pdfFactory Pro—the company's PDF-creation software tools—and FinePrint, its printing utility software.
The server editions include centralized installation and updates, shared configuration, license management and monitoring, and a configurable user interface.
Companies can globally customize the user interface company-wide or even set up multiple versions of pdfFactory that can each be uniquely customized.
For instance, one might set up a version for use only with specific security-sensitive features.
FinePrint Software, based in San Francisco, released the server editions because of the growing trend in "PDFing" instead of printing, said Jonathan Weiner, president of FinePrint Software.
"Our products pdfFactory and pdfFactory Pro are being used more and more, and people are telling us now they are increasingly skipping the printing it out and putting it in an envelope method, and instead they're just sending PDFs to folks."
pdfFactory is an economical tool for creating PDF files.
With pdfFactory, any Windows application that has print capabilities can be used to create a PDF file. Those documents then can be easily combined using the pdfFactory preview system, the company said.
The preview system also allows for deletion of unwanted pages, and a built-in e-mail function then enables the files to be sent with one click. pdfFactory Pro is the advanced version of pdfFactory and is designed primarily for users who require security features on sensitive documents, the company said.
pdfFactory Pro also enables users to create bookmarks when working with larger more complex documents.
FinePrint, the company's print-management utility for desktop PC users, enhances printing controls in formatting, embedded letterheads, superimposed watermarks and automatic production of booklet-style documents.
Noting the pfdFactory product's design in contrast to competitors' products, Weiner said, "The thing that differentiates us now and into the future is that our product was designed from the ground up to include multiple format files like AutoCad, Excel, MSWord—all in one PDF. That's the powerful thing about the PDF format: its ability to hold multiple pieces of different formats."
Licensing is priced on a per-user basis, and upgrade pricing is available. Cost-per-workstation for pdfFactory SE ranges from $23 to $60, while pdfFactory Pro SE ranges from $46 to $120. FinePrint SE ranges from $23 to $60, the company said.
