Document Conversion Accelerator
Messaging Productivity and Security aid
- Saves users time by automatically converting message attachments into the recipients preferred application format
- Simplifies the handling of message attachments for skilled and inexperienced users
- Can be configured with security applications such as third party virus checkers and encryption tools
- Particularly suitable for Windows-based application document conversions
- Can also convert documents to plain text or Group 3 fax images
- Maintains preferred document format for e-mail recipients of a message that contains fax recipients
- Supplied with scripts, macros and tools to perform most popular Windows-based conversions
- Multiple DCAs may be used as message throughput demand increases
The DCA system provides the benefit that messages containing proprietary format documents created using the originator’s own desktop applications can be sent in the knowledge that, after appropriate conversion, the recipients using other, unspecified, applications will be able to receive them in their locally preferred form.
Examples of typical conversions that the DCA performs include converting file-types from Word to WordPerfect, Excel to Lotus 1-2-3, PowerPoint to Group3 fax and any proprietary text-file format to General Text.
This information should be read in conjunction with information about the Route400 Document Converter.
Background
The Document Conversion Accelerator performs selected conversions in support of an existing Message Server with Document Converter capability. Reasons for carrying out conversions on a dedicated system separate from the Message Server can be as follows:
- Certain conversions can be very compute-power intensive and might overload the Message Server or otherwise interfere with its normal operation
- Where the Message Server is UNIX or OS/2-based and the conversions are primarily between document types used by Windows applications, off-loading these conversions to a Windows-based system may be the simpler technical approach
- Many Windows applications use file formats that are proprietary and subject to change with each new release. Use of the original application to convert the document gives the best possible fidelity, and also allows new formats to be supported as soon as the application becomes available, rather than waiting for third party tool suppliers to update their conversion products
- Security: Interchange of complex word processor files presents a security risk since the files can contain invisible text. The DCA can be used to convert to a format (such as RTF) which does not suffer from this problem
- A Route400 Message Server with Document Converter option determines from configured information what conversions need to be applied for each body part of a multi-recipient message and how they are to be achieved. In some cases, for reasons similar to those described above, responsibility for the conversion itself will be delegated to an associated DCA.
- Configuration of all aspects of conversion and whether the DCA is to be used is performed on the Message Server itself
- Messages requiring action from the DCA are placed on a queue within a filing system shared between the server and the DCA
- All identification of data types within messages and conversion requirements is performed by the Document Converter
- The DCA is configured with the necessary programs, scripts and macros to effect the conversions. When complete the converted messages are returned to the message server, via the queue, for further processing (including possible further body part conversion) and delivery to a destination
- For performance reasons, multiple DCAs may be used with a single MTA to service a high volume of messages requiring such conversions, providing a very cost-effective solution in such cases
- A document of the application type required by the recipient
- Plain text suitable for transmission through gateways or to X.400 (1984) systems of lesser capability
- A Group 3 fax image suitable for a Fax Access Unit or a user with fax image viewing capability
- An identical copy of the sender’s Windows application can perform an internal conversion (where one is available) to create a new document of the type expected by the recipient
- An identical copy of the recipient’s Windows application can perform an internal conversion (where one is available) to create a new document of the type expected by the recipient
- An identical copy of the sender’s Windows application can invoke special Route400 "conversion printer drivers" (supplied with the DCA) that convert the document into plain text (as General Text) or a Group 3 fax image (in Normal or Fine resolution)
- Third-party software utility products can be used to perform conversions. The result of these might be a document of a new application type, plain text or a Group 3 fax image; or encryption or to check for viruses
- Supports multiple conversions for a given destination
- Where several destinations require the same combination of conversions, these are performed once only, optimising performance
- Delivered with internal support for fax printing to file at normal and fine resolution for the generation of G3Fax body parts (e.g. for use in conjunction with a Fax Access Unit)
- Delivered with internal support for printing text to file to allow interworking with systems that do not support file attachments, or external users who cannot be expected to handle the file formats used within an organisation
- Body Parts for conversion within the DCA can be Undefined (Bilaterally defined/BP14), External, File Transfer, Route400-specific DataFile or text
- Predefined scripts delivered with DCA for the most popular conversions
- Supports conversion from any Windows application’s native format to G3Fax format, by instructing the application to print with the installed Route400 Fax Printer Driver
- Macros supplied for use with Microsoft Word which use Word’s command line option in order to effect conversion to other word-processing formats such as Word Perfect
- Macros supplied for use with Microsoft Excel which are copied into Excel’s xlstart directory in order to effect conversion to other spreadsheets such as Lotus 1-2-3
- Scripts supplied for use with Microsoft Test and for use with graphics applications such as Paintbrush and PowerPoint
- Supports integration with the OutsideIn (Inso/System Compatibility Corporation) viewer technology, via the OutsideIn API and the Route400 Printer Drivers (Windows 3.1 only)
- Allows the file extension of the converted file to be changed to reflect the new format of the contents (Windows NT only)
- Windows NT 4, where the DCA operates as a 32-bit application and can co-exist with a Route400 Message Server
- Windows 3.1 or 3.11, requires a 386 or later PC with a minimum of 4 MB of RAM running
- Sufficient disk space to hold the anticipated volume of messages in transit
- Must be associated with a Route400 Message Server with Document Converter option
- For low volume applications the DCA can be installed on a single PC with the Route400 Fax Access Unit on a Windows 3.1 or 3.11 platform. Where the required throughput is such that Fax transmission/reception and conversion must proceed in parallel, two PCs will be required
