LATEST VERSION OF JCST's ARCHIVE COMBINES WORKFLOW, DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT AND
IMAGING

October 15, 1994 -- Johnson Computer Software Team (Toronto, Canada)
announced today that a new release of their Archive software will be
available October 15, 1994. Archive is an object-based document management
/ imaging software package that comes with an extensive set of
ready-to-use workflow features and a comprehensive scripting language.
This latest release, version 4.2, adds several new features designed for
work group users, including workflow notification, document check-out,
search agents and a document approval router.

Archive has three functions. First, it organizes all types of types of
documents created on a PC and allows users to locate these documents with
both structured and ad-hoc (text content) methods. Second, it secures
corporate information by restricting how individuals and groups can access
documents. And, third, its workflow features enable users to share and
exchange their work.

Archive is different from most other document management and imaging
systems in that documents are stored in their native formats. This means
that Archive works with all types of word processing, spreadsheets, CAD
drawings, business graphics, scanned images and desktop publishing
documents. It also means that Archive is compatible with any and all data
compression methods (JPEG, MPEG, etc.). Archive's combination of text and
image management capabilities allows documents to be scanned, translated
to text via OCR and then indexed and searched using text retrieval
methods.

Archive comes with an object-oriented desktop that makes Windows function
more like a real office. The Archive desktop allows users to freely
arrange (and rearrange) documents as they use them, without worrying about
the location of underlying files in the DOS directory structure. Icons
represent documents, file folders and a file cabinet - there's even a
trash can icon for disposing of unwanted work. Archive users work with
documents and folders instead of programs, files and sub-directories.

Any DOS or Windows application can be installed on the Archive desktop.
Data files created or saved from within an application are automatically
captured and saved onto the desktop as document icons.

Documents are entered into Archive by dragging and dropping them on the
Archive icon. This drag and drop feature works for both individual
documents and collections of documents in file folders. Once it has
received a dropped document, Archive automatically connects to the host
server - the entire network connection procedure is fully automated and
completely transparent to the user. Once in the Archive, documents are
indexed and stored for future reference and may be submitted to workflow
for further processing.

Archive's workflow capabilities support all DOS and Windows applications
including all popular forms, Fax, OCR and image acquisition software.
Since Archive's workflow moves notifications rather than entire data
files, it conserves network resources, eliminates unnecessary data traffic
and prevents unwanted document duplication.

Archive users can easily create their own workflows - complete with
conditional branching - using the Archive approval router. More complex
workflow structures can be implemented with Archive's agent task scripting
language which can be used in either macro (record / playback) mode or as
a full, object-oriented programming language. The agent task language
offers standard Windows control devices, including list boxes and push
buttons, that can be used to control workflows. Workflows can be expanded
and modified with minimum effort by storing agent task script objects in
procedure libraries for use in future projects.

With both PC LAN and full UNIX client / sever versions available, Archive
is a highly scalable solution. Implementation can start with a small scale
Archive Lite pilot on a PC LAN and then migrate seamlessly to a full
scale, company-wide installation based on Archive's full client / server
version for UNIX servers and Windows clients.

Other features that position Archive as an "industrial strength" solution
include data loss protection and security features. In the event of a
power interruption or network failure, Archive automatically recovers,
restores the users' desktop and re-sends any documents that failed to
reach the server. Archive's document security features include password
protection of both the desktop and access to individual documents. An
optional off-line storage module allows Archive to access a wide range of
mass storage devices including optical disk libraries and tape drives.

New Features In Version 4.2

The new check-out feature allows documents to be temporarily removed from
Archive and automatically re-filed to the right location when returned.
Checked-out documents can be distributed by E-mail or even floppy disk.
When these documents re-enter the Archive system they are automatically
restored to the proper location. Because there is only one copy of each
document in circulation at any time, check-out offers tighter control of
documents than E-mail alone. Check-out also has the added benefit of
conserving system resources by limiting the accumulation of document
revisions.

Checked-out documents are denoted by a gray highlight. Other users, with
appropriate access rights, can only view these documents in a "read only"
mode until the original is returned. The "attributes" button on the icon
bar shows who has the document checked out at any time.

If Archive's revision tracking feature is enabled, the checked-out document
is logged as a revision to the original when it is returned. Revision
tracking automatically saves and links all modified versions of the
original source document, even if those modifications were made by several
different workers, each at a different location.

Archive's new search agent feature allows users to capture and automate
frequently used document search queries. Using a standard template, users
can make up any number of pre-defined search agents and save them for
later use or distribution to other users. For example, search agents can
be "trained" to automatically locate documents and copy them to a file
folder on the user's desktop.

Archive's search and retrieve functions enable workers to locate the
documents they need quickly and easily. Documents are indexed by 32
character title, author's name, type, date and various
administrator-defined categories. Text documents may be automatically
keyworded and searched by content, e.g. all documents containing "John
Jones".

The new workflow notification feature allows work group members to
automatically signal each other whenever existing "group" documents are
revised or new documents are created. Group members are notified and given
the choice of opening the document immediately or holding i-t for later. A
double click on any item in the notification list opens the document in
its native application ready to view, edit or print.

Archive's new approval router feature will automatically send notification
messages to a list of users seeking their approval or comments - ideal for
expense reports, engineering drawings or any other document that requires
routing through an approval process.

An approval list is attached to a document when it is saved. The approval
list is completed by selecting names from a list of system users or by
dragging and dropping a pre-configured list. The system administrator can
create pre-configured lists corresponding to the organization's business
processes. These master lists can be organized, indexed and distributed
via the Archive and accessed by individual users, as required, for use
with their documents.

Archive is available in two implementations: Archive Lite 4.2 is for PC
based LANs using NetBIOS such as Novell, LAN Manager or Banyan Vines.
Archive 4.2 is for client / server computing systems based on minicomputer
servers and PC / Windows clients. Archive 4.2 's server module is
available for UNIX servers (HP 9000 and IBM RS6000) and also for MPE on
the HP3000. Ports to other UNIX platforms are planned. Since Archive and
Archive Lite use the same client module, they have the same user interface
and provide the same features and functionality.

Both Archive 4.2 and Archive Lite 4.2 are available directly from JCST and
are priced at approximately $700 per client PC, complete, including both
client and server modules. Volume discounts and site licenses are
available.
Call (416) 487-3631 to order.

JCST: Johnson Computer Software Team Ltd
3080 Yonge St, Suite 5072
Toronto, Ontario CANADA M4N 3N1
416-487-3631

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