Several core file actions such as check-in/check-out, copy-and-paste, update profile, get latest version, are optimized for faster performance in virtual private networks (VPN), wide area networks (WAN), and over the Web. Our own benchmark testing indicates a 37% average improvement in speed across certain operations.

Also new in this latest release is new PDF technology that allows users to create PDF/A format files. This is the ISO-standard version of the Portable Document Format (PDF) used for digital preservation and document archiving. One more aspect of this new PDF technology is that it is more easily deployed in virtual server environments like Citrix or Windows Terminal Services.

This latest release builds on what has become our most successful series of releases yet for Document Locator – the version 6 series. And more is yet to come. Windows 8 is coming soon, and we always maintain compatibilities with the latest Microsoft technologies. And, with mobile computing exploding in growth, look for some exciting news there too!

More info on all the features of the Version 6 series can be found here: http://www.documentlocator.com/latest-version.htm

2011 was the year that Document Locator version 6 came into its own. Originally released late in the prior year, it wasn’t until 2011 that deployments gathered full steam and many of the new system’s capabilities were realized among customers. Workflow had become part of the core product, as did Outlook email integration. And reports were a newly added bonus.

Most people are now using one version or another of Document Locator 6. We know the inherent compatibility of version 6 with Windows 7 will ultimately entice any remaining holdouts, even though there is no need to wait. Any customer who is on annual maintenance and support can take advantage of the upgrade for free.

From those who have already made the upgrade, words of accomplishments are streaming in. Everything from a major property management firm overcoming international regulatory compliance hurdles to one of the nation’s largest transportation companies automating and improving their customer service. Manufacturing customers too especially love the workflow and reporting that automates projects and improves visibility over procedures.

But the past is just too good to remain still, and news of a new release is lurking around the corner. For customers on maintenance and support, look for your Version 6.1 announcements soon!

Version 6.1 will claim to be more of a system enhancement than a boost in features. We consider it a minor update in the grand scheme of the version 6 family. However, it does carry our tradition of innovation that we have maintained throughout the entire release cycle for the version 6 series.

As for the future, releases in the version 6 family will continue well into 2012. With so much happening on the technology front globally, the roadmap can sometimes seem as handy as GPS unit in a Manhattan traffic jam. But, one thing is for certain: our innovation will take advantage of the latest technologies (mobile and Windows 8 come to mind).

Looking forward, we can also seize our optimism for improved economic conditions globally. We have been fortunate to see our own new customer adoption continue to climb. Not just here in the U.S., but also internationally. In fact, we even welcomed our very first customer in Liechtenstein!  (If you are reading this… know that a quarrel has erupted here among those who would be first to visit.)

Many believe that rough economic conditions drive people to reevaluate and improve. Overall, productivity in North America as measured by the volume of output per hour of labor remains healthy. In fact, the amount of time needed to produce an equivalent of 40-hours of output from the 1990’s is said to be down to just 29 hours. Go back to 1950, it now only takes about 10 hours to produce an equivalent 40 hours worth of work.

We like to think that electronic document management has played a part in the productivity equation – an equation where every minute counts. And, with inspiration of our customers, and innovations such as those in the version 6 family of releases, we’ll continue striving to add even greater value to everyone’s productivity quotient now and into the future.

Providing a fast, scalable, and secure network infrastructure for remote employees requires that IT departments rethink their existing architectures.  Historically corporate networks minimize their exposure to the outside world of hackers and malware by limiting entry points into the system from outside of the company’s firewall.  However with the increased demand to support remote employees, IT departments are researching new technologies that improve how they control and manage information flow from offsite resources.

To that end, ColumbiaSoft is engaged in developing solutions for a handful of Fortune 500 companies that provide simple, secure online access to their enterprise document management systems.  The user interfaces are tailored to specific roles in the organization in order to align the application functionality with the user’s specific job function.  This customized design provides a quick and efficient means for looking up account information and uploading company critical documents in seconds.

The online portal solutions provided by ColumbiaSoft support interactive searching against a company’s backend database system including CRM, ERP, or Accounting application.  By interfacing the document management system with other mission critical systems, the web interface design promotes minimal data entry along with accurate spelling and auto-populated supporting fields.  ColumbiaSoft also provides web-based drag/drop functionality allowing users to quickly drag multiple attachment files from Microsoft Outlook or Windows Desktop environments directly into the clients’ document management system.

Storing corporate records in a document management system provides numerous benefits enterprise wide that support both management and IT functions within an organization.  This includes fast searching on metadata and file content, records management capabilities, email archive, routing documents for digital signature and approval, compliance audit trails, version control, and much more. By providing simple, efficient solutions for external resources to share corporate documents, companies operate smarter and allow their workforce to focus on their core job functions.

Nephila Capital is one-step ahead; they’ve already scratched this from their list of to-do’s and possible new year’s resolutions. Using document management software, they have improved on everything from publishing content for customers with greater speed and fewer resources, to paperless processing of invoices and accounting files, to better management of contracts and agreements, and more.

A new document management case study highlights their success, and you can read all about it here: http://www.documentlocator.com/resources/casestudies/nephila.htm

Team Office has been around for 30 years… all the way back since 1980. That’s a long time in technology years. They have the proven experience and gold-plated reputation for serving the needs of business clients.

Jumping the gun just a little on a news release going out in the morning, I’ll say now that we’re very excited to be working with Team Office!

Document Locator’s business process management components are in use today at a number of enterprises as well as government entities helping drive efficiencies and enforcing compliance.  Solutions built using ColumbiaSoft’s workflow automation include accounts payable processing, ISO/FDA continuous improvement processes, vendor submittals for AEC firms, routing mail to remote workers, expense reports, vacation request processing, and more.  These implementations were all designed around improving productivity, efficiency, and traceability enabling companies to focus on their core business operations.  In Document Locator v6 the workflow module is integrated as base production functionality providing enterprise level business process automation to all of our customers.

The reporting components added in Document Locator are entirely new and based on Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services.  Users can select from a variety of canned reports included with the upgrade package in addition to being able to produce custom reports using Microsoft’s easy-to-use WYSIWYG report generation tools (Report Builder 3.0).  Reports can be launched securely inside of Document Locator’s Windows Integrated client or from within Document Locator’s internet application WebTools.  The reports provide users unlimited real-time access to critical business information displayed in graphical and roll-up style dashboard reports.  Reports are available for records management statistics, user activity, workflow automation, SQL Server configuration, as well any business specific reports that our customers can dream up.

Document Locator v6 continues the tradition of providing well-designed, easy-to-use document management and business process automation software.  We are excited about this current release and look forward to helping companies transition to a more organized and automated organization that can easily report against their critical business operations. For more information click here.

There are many technologies to consider when implementing a virtuallization plan. Document Locator is mostly technology agnostic… our customers pretty much can choose to virtualize their document management system however best works for them and their circumstances. VMWare, however, is one of the choices. Just recently after the folks at VMWare realized that some of their customers were using their virtualization technology to virtualize our document management software, they asked us to join their network of ‘VMWare ready” partners. We did.

So it’s official now… the VMWare Ready mark is now a member of our partner logo family.

If you’re interested in finding out more about VMWare’s technologies and solutions, they have good assortment of recorded and live webcasts on virtualization.

Craig Whitney, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead stated, “As the labor department releases the news that the number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless aid is soaring, Fargo Moorhead earns a national spotlight for its reasonable business costs, strong economic outlook and solid quality of life.”

Within the buzzing business ecosystem of the Fargo Moorhead area is a good friend of ours, Information Management Systems (IMS), who has been doing their part helping businesses in the region since 1995 with “precise-fit” technology solutions. One of those solutions, of course, is document management software. And in an area where business is buzzing, document management makes a perfect fit.

Here’s one reason why: Research has shown that, on average, one-half of information workers spend as much as 2 hours a day searching for the information they need. That amounts to $625,000 per year spent on “searching” in a company with 100 employees at an average cost $50,000 each. Reducing the time it takes to search and find information means that a portion of that $625,000 in time will instead be spent doing other more productive things that have a higher return on investment than thumbing through filing cabinets.

IMS will be at the Fargo Moorhead “Business After Hours” event this Thursday, April 22 with other leaders in the area. Stop by and visit with them to learn more about information management and how they can help you lead the way.

While offering a positive impact on the environment through less paper production and transportation, reducing the use of paper also provides for cost savings by improving business efficiency. The cost of handling, storing and shipping a single sheet of paper can add up to as much as $30.00 over a document’s lifecycle. When managed electronically, the actual cost of paper, storage facilities, and mailing or shipping are eliminated.

Business processes are improved using electronic collaboration tools that make sharing of documents easy with workflow routing, versioning, notifications, and approvals. Scanning tools capture paper documents and turn them into electronically searchable digital files, reducing the need for document storage and speeding document retrieval.

In addition to an all-around paperless office solution for managing electronic files, digitized paper documents, and email records, document management offers specific paperless business solutions in areas of: Accounts Payable routing and approval; electronic project collaboration; HR employee records management; compliance and regulatory document control; remote access for customers, vendors and partners; and more.

To learn more about growing a greener business, paperlessly, with electronic document management software visit ColumbiaSoft’s booth at the Energy Trust Better Living Show in Portland this weekend March 26th - 28th.

http://www.betterlivingshow.org/