Cimage brings document management inside user desktop applications; Users can search, retrieve, store documents without leaving word processor, spreadsheet, database, E-mail environments

Business Wire, Dec 12, 1995

BRACKNELL, Berkshire--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dec. 12, 1995-- Cimage Enterprise Systems, a leading provider of document management software, with over 20,000 seats installed worldwide, announced Document Manager API, a new component for its Document Manager for Windows product.

The Version 1.0 library of application programming interfaces (APIs) is callable from a variety of Microsoft Windows programming and integration environments. Overall, Document Manager API enables integration of Cimage document management functionality into the pull-down menu structure of Microsoft Windows based desktop applications ( such as AutoCAD for Windows and Microsoft Word.

Users can find the information they need and store and index new information without leaving their active application. Previously, users had to move out of their favorite desktop application to use comprehensive document management and full text retrieval applications. Functions that can be built directly into Windows applications include index and full text searches, document registration and placement into folders.

Ian MacKenzie, managing director of Cimage Enterprise Systems, points to his teams' customer commitment: "This release and the recent new point releases of the Cimage product family have been brought to market within the timescale we promised, together with complete quality assurance and full documentation. This is the result of an aggressive new product development strategy and sets a benchmark that others must now match."

MacKenzie is also the IT director of Tarmac Professional Services (TPS). Cimage was bought from its previous owners in the USA in June of this year by TPS, part of the $3B annual revenue British-owned Tarmac group.

Document Manager API (DMAPI) is packaged with comprehensive on-line help facilities and programming examples in C, C and Basic and sample integration with Microsoft Word. Document Manager API supports Microsoft Visual C (Version 1.5 or later), Microsoft Visual Basic (Version 3 or later), and Microsoft Word Basic (Version 6 or later). The company plans to support additional desktop operating environments with DMAPI in the future.

Document Manager Components

The Cimage Document Manager server product, operating in a LAN, WAN or global network, is a sophisticated document management, distribution and retrieval system with security and access control, revision handling, check-in and check-out, storage management, information structuring and audit trail. It can manage a wide range of documents, such as scanned documents, CAD files, illustrations, word processing files, spreadsheets and technical manuals. Document Manager provides full indexing and search/retrieval capabilities using industry-standard relational database technology.

Document Manager Desktop for Windows is a Windows-based client that provides a comprehensive set of search and indexing tools to enable fast location or storage of documents whether local or resident on the network. Document Manager Desktop interacts with the Document Manger retrieval server to ensure the correct revision of a document is always accessed. Document Manager API brings this function into the menu structure of Microsoft Windows applications.

About Cimage Enterprise Systems

Recently acquired by Tarmac Professional Services, part of the three billion dollar British company, Tarmac plc, Cimage Enterprise Systems is one of the world's leading developers and suppliers of electronic document management systems (EDMS), designed to support effective, enterprise-wide information and workflow management.

Cimage products and services are used by organizations to automate and improve the storage, access and management of information from a wide variety of sources and contained in different forms of media.

The benefits of the technology assist large organizations to reduce time to market, improve business efficiency, comply with statutory regulations and improve control of the life-cycle of all the information relating to products, projects and facilities. The software operates on industry standard open systems at the enterprise, departmental and workgroup level.

From its headquarters in Bracknell, Berkshire, UK, the company serves a worldwide market through a global network of distributors covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Far East and Australia. Cimage products are distributed in North America exclusively through Access Corporation of Cincinnati, OH. Around the world, Cimage products are used by petrochemical, manufacturing and utility industries. Customers include the Abbott Laboratories, Allen Bradley, Alergen Medical Optics, Amoco, Arco, AT&T, BP, British Aerospace, Chrysler, Dupont, Elf Enterprise Oil, Florida Power and Light, Ford Motor Company, Gillette, Martin Marietta, Mobil, Rover Group, and Texaco.

For additional information about Access Corporation and its products and services, contact Peggy Richards at (513) 786-8350 (East Coast), Hollye LaJeunesse (714) 753-0272 (West Coast). -0-