S4i Systems, Inc. has announced the availability of a new version of S4i Express document-management solution that has enhancements to greatly extend its usefulness and flexibility, the company says. Several modifications were made to support extensive upgrades included in the forthcoming version of S4i WebView, the browser-based retrieval system for S4i Express.

Binary File Support

Perhaps the most significant new feature added by product designers is support for binary files. Technical and non-technical users now can capture, store, process, and distribute binary files along with all other document types.

Most iSeries document management products are limited to handling EBCDIC-formatted spool files that are dressed up with overlays. Binary file support is important because it represents PC-type documents such as photos, audio files, spreadsheets, or formatted word processing documents. The recipient of a binary file can open it with the application used to create it, i.e. PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Acrobat, etc. Binary files managed by S4i Express can also be viewed online in S4i WebView in their native format. These files are stored in the IFS on IBM System i/iSeries computers.

Priority-Level Assignments

Documents submitted to S4i Express for distribution now can be assigned a priority level so that important or time-sensitive ones like invoices and paychecks can be moved to the top of the queue in front of large, time consuming jobs. This enhancement is quite useful when spool files, sometimes consisting of several thousand pages, are printed or distributed over the course of several hours and you need to push another job to the head of the line.

Password-Protected PDFs

S4i Express V3.1 now features password protection for PDFs on two levels. If documents are distributed that contain sensitive information, like social security numbers for example, master and user passwords can be set to control who can read them. Printing, copying, modification, and annotation can also be strictly limited. Other new PDF features that users will find in V3.1 include more PDF control options, direct PDF capture from any source, and document annotation for better business collaboration,

Additional Enhancements

In the area of document management, S4i has added the ability to designate paper drawer selection. The report wizard has been extended to include additional setup capabilities to make implementation easier. Fax distribution has been more closely integrated into the distribution options. New email distribution options include return receipt, maximum size threshold, ad hoc email notes, and the ability to send multiple document attachments with a single email. New fax distribution features can automatically manage size, fax from, to, subject text, and cover page.

Customers who are enrolled in S4i's direct ship program will receive S4i Express V3.1 automatically. Those who want to obtain a copy but are not enrolled in the direct ship program can contact S4i customer service at 800-231-5280 or 760-631-5280.

Free 30-day evaluations of S4i Express and its Web component, S4i WebView, can be obtained by contacting S4i or one of its authorized resellers. License fees for S4i Express are based on System i/iSeries model number and start at $7,800. Fees include S4i Express software with online help and printed documentation. Early-bird licensing discounts may apply.

About S4i Systems, Inc.

S4i provides electronic document management and DASD management solutions for System i/iSeries computers. As an IBM Partner in Development, S4i is committed to continuously delivering functionality and supporting their customers on the iSeries platform. S4i is customer driven and demonstrates this everyday by providing 24X7 customer support and listening to the needs of their customers to help define future capabilities. S4i is represented by direct sales or through resellers in the Americas, Europe, S.E. Asia and Thailand. S4i Systems, Inc. is located at 4755 Oceanside Blvd., Suite 130, Oceanside, CA 92056. For more information, visit S4i.

S4i provides electronic document management and disk management solutions for iSeries, AS/400 and IBM System i. With a strong commitment to continuously delivering trusted value, S4i's customer and service driven team provides project design, implementation and project management services to ensure a successful software deployment.

S4i is headquartered in San Clemente, California, and has a European facility that also houses development, support and marketing professionals. S4i Europe is centrally located in Warrington, England. Ready access to S4i solutions is also achieved through downstream distribution relationships with value add resellers in 10 countries, and upstream relationships with IBM, as well as many ERP,.CRM, SCM, and other vendors that offer industry specific solutions for iSeries and AS/400 systems.

To find out more about S4i Systems and its products see their listings in the MC Showcase Buyer's Guide.