SEAL Systems has released the new version 4.4 of the document management solution PLOSSYS® netdome providing more than 40 advancements and extensions. Additional highlights include enhanced performance, new configurable environment, new banner pages, LPR/IPP support, automatic retry on exact page. 

Conversion service

The preparation section for the received output jobs is completely revised. Now the jobs are handled with a Java application, which runs within a JBoss application server. This enables parallel processing with high performance and a better usage of resources. Tests by the quality assurance department showed an acceleration of output by about 12 percent with the implementation of version 4.3. Ofcourse, customer specific Perl Gates in already existing installations are supported. After an update to output manager 4.4.0, existing information can be directly integrated in the workflow of the conversion services. The application server is an integral part of the PLOSSYS netdome installation and do not need to be seperately ordered or managed.

The advantages at a glance:

• Parallel Processing
• Higher Performance
• Better Usage of Resources
• Usage of Standardized Methods

Data Based Handling 

In the updated version, data is stored and handled in a central database. This data base is used for storage of runtime data for the new conversion services. Also, storage of runtime data for its configuration settings and the generated log data is available. Log data is not stored in clear text but in message IDs. This enables the translation of the log entries into the relevant language of the client during runtime. The storage of all data in a centralized data base is the basis for the distribution of the system to serveral computers. The data base is an integral component of the PLOSSYS netdome installation and does not require seperate management.

Advantages at a glance:

• Centralized management of all data
• Log data can be automatically translated
• Simple access to different computer systems
• Usage of standardized methods

Web-based Configuration Environment

The configuration of the new PLOSSYS netdome components is done with a web-based graphical environment. Therefore, no manual editing of data is necessary for the future. The settings can be done remotely from any client by using a web browser.

Image: Configuration environment "PLOSSYS netdome settings“

The beginning of the configuration requires the integration of SEAL Control Center and PLOSSYS OCON. An access authorization check can be applied with a connection to the OCON user and rights management.

All configuration changes are stored in a log file and can be controlled by version history. Within the environment, snapshots of the actual configuration can be created and loaded for future use. This quickly enables a running and definite system after faulty configurations or data loss. The created safety files can also be used for transferring of configurations to other systems. The new web-based configuration environment is the basis for all future changes of PLOSSYS netdome components to the new configuration method.

Advantages at a glance:

• Configuration remote via web browser
• No manual editing of files
• Access protection
• Change history
• Backup/Restore

New Banner/Trailer/Error Page Configuration

For the creation of additional pages, PLOSSYS netdome 4.4.0 uses the modern standard formats XML and XSL-FO. This enables up-to-date and complex layouts with full Unicode support. The creation of templates can be done with any standard method for the creation of XSL-FO style sheets. The structure of the XML data, which can be processed by these style sheets, is described and available as XML scheme. SEAL Systems is also providing a simple possibility without special knowledge of XML/XSL-FO by using Microsoft Excel for the automatic generation of templates. In addition, there are appropriate templates included in the standard delivery, which can be used for most of the standard application cases.

Advantages at a glance:

• Usage of standardized methods
• Modern layouts
• Unicode support

Output Job Orders by LPR

PLOSSYS netdome 4.4.0 can receive output jobs from the standard LPR protocol. This kind of transfer of print data is often used with Unix and in host environments. However, in the SAP and Windows world, LPR is a fast and slim protocol for the transferring of output jobs. External software and output systems, which have been used by customers for previous processes, are now easily able to connect to PLOSSYS Netdome. The configuration of these systems is now more simple than ever. Only the network name or the IP address of the provious used LPR target device must be changed  and replaced with the name of the PLOSSYS server. Then PLOSSYS netdome is able to receive the jobs and distribute them to the actual target devices.

Advantages at a glance:

• Usage of standardized methods
• Fast job ordering
• Easy and economical integration of external systems

Support of IPP

The Internet Printing Protocol is another standardized method for the transfer of output jobs. PLOSSYS netdome 4.4.0 is able to handle this protocol. The system can receive print data from IPP client software or can forward spool data to IPP capable printers. IPP is based on the HTTP protocol, therefore, it is the preferred method for creating output jobs within strongly protected networks, in which the access to other ports is controlled by firewalls and where only HTTP traffic is allowed. IPP also supports data compression and encoding.

Advantages at a glance:

• Usage of standard methods
• Print traffic through firewalls
• Data compression
• Encoding

Printer Control via PJL

PLOSSYS netdome 4.4.0 supports an improved transfer of spool data to the output devices via PJL control. With this method, the system can recognize whether the printer has received the printer data and which pages were actually printed. The user gets a quicker feedback when his job is completely printed. In addition, an automatic retry at the exact page of the output job is possible. This is used for cases in which a job is aborted due to device errors.

Advantages at a glance:

• Faster recognition at the end of the output job
• Automatic retry for the exact page in the error case

Carlos Schramer has coordinated the development of the new PLOSSYS netdome release: "With this version, our customers will be well prepared for the usage of PLOSSYS as a Corporate Output Management solution with heterogeneous and multinational environments. In addition, we have developed new possibilities for output and like always, there are new features, which simplify the work of system administrators and give the users tools for easy handling and control.“