FileDirector has been designed to be a true 3-Tier application:

• 1st Tier – Microsoft SQL 2000 or Oracle 8i/9i database server (Data Backend)
• 2nd Tier – FileDirector Server (Business Logic)
• 3rd Tier – Windows, Browser or Software Development Kit (Front-End) There is no direct client connection to any data.

The absence of direct access to both database and documents by the Client prevents unwanted manipulation. Complete system stability and security is increased which ensures that you achieve high accessibility concepts such as the integration of Cluster-technology.

Microsoft .NET

Microsoft .NET-Technology enables the development of XML (extended markup language) based applications, processes and web-services. Due to the highly scaleable, open standard of .NET, applications from diverse manufacturers can be integrated easily and cost effectively with other products, online or offline. The universal approach to .NET technology creates the possibility for FileDirector to be reliably and effectively integrated with other applications, systems and hardware that support the .NET framework.

XML Data Exchange

XML is broadly accepted as the standard for data exchange over a variety of platforms. This is especially true for DMS, where the ability of XML to file index information and Meta Data in an easy read form becomes a useful tool within a company’s archiving solution. The open architecture of FileDirector, combined with the freely read index information within XML, builds a structure that goes beyond conventional archiving. Documents are not limited to the FileDirector system and are available for access by external applications, without compromising security.

Connectivity

FileDirector has the flexibility to be used whenever and wherever you want it. The FileDirector client application can connect with the server application locally through a LAN setup, or on the move via an Intranet or the Internet using the HTTP(s) protocol. Whether you are at the office or on the other side of the World, you can send and receive documents at the touch of a button.

Scalability

One of the major benefits that FileDirector offers is the opportunity of growth. No matter how big or small the organisation is, FileDirector can adapt to meet demands. FileDirector encourages scalability externally as well as internally, allowing the growth of an organizations’ document management solution to be comprehensively universal.

FileDirector utilizes user accounts and groups from Active Directory Services (ADS), the Lightweight Directory Access protocol (LDAP) or from Windows NT Domains. When FileDirector is installed, 3 groups will be created, FD-Admins, FD-User and FD-Prio-User. If a user account is not a member of one of these groups, access to FileDirector will be denied.

Being a member of one of the above groups will allow access to FileDirector, but does not by default allow access to any data. This can be set at Cabinet, Document type, and Document Field level.

Cabinet

User groups or accounts can be allowed or denied access to a Cabinet. In addition permission to Create, Delete, Modify and View can be allowed or denied, or Full access can be given.

Documents type

User groups or accounts can be allowed or denied access to a Document Type within a Cabinet. Permission to Create, Delete, Modify and View can be allowed or denied, or Full access can be given.

Documents

User groups or accounts can be allowed or denied access to specific documents within a Cabinet. Permission to Create, Delete, Modify and View can be allowed or denied, or Full access can be given. This is set within the FileDirector Client.

And also …

In addition to the requirement of having a user account that can access FileDirector, and has been granted permission to access documents, FileDirector supports digital signatures, Certificates (https) and data encryption, utilizing SSL online and optional 168bit triple DES data encryption.

FileDirector offers the widest range of automatic and manual document capture methods, ensuring that however you work, and whatever documents you produce or receive, they can be easily stored to FileDirector.

Document Scanning

FileDirector supports a vast range of scanners or input devices using the built-in drivers for the Canon range of document scanners, and standard support from TWAIN compatible devices. An optional Add-on to the FileDirector Client allows the use of ISIS compatible devices. Scan Profiles can be used to pre-define the device parameters for different document types and input devices, ensuring that documents are stored at optimum quality.

Microsoft Office Integration

With FileDirector Office Integration, you can store documents directly to FileDirector from Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. A Send to FileDirector option is also added to Windows Explorer, with documents saved in their original format. Office Integration also enhances the FileDirector Client, allowing you to view hundreds of different document formats without the need to have the source application available.

FileDirector ImagePrinter

Selecting the FileDirector ImagePrinter as the printer within your Windows application and then printing the document will convert the document to TIFF and store it to FileDirector automatically.

Document Import

Automatic server based document imports can be scheduled from pre-defined network locations, and manual imports can be performed by the Client using Scan Profiles set to Directory Scan.

Virtual Network Printing

Using VNP, all print output can be converted to either single or multi-page TIFF files, and then imported and imported into FileDirector. This option of FileDirector is particularly useful for spool data, reports etc.

Within a FileDirector Cabinet, documents can be assigned to a Document Type, with each Document Type having an index field set assigned to it from the Cabinet field collection. Assigning index data to a document can be a laborious and time consuming task, but FileDirector has a range of standard and optional tools to make the task quick and straightforward.

Field Properties

Properties can be assigned to Cabinet fields to auto fill, count and carry forward index data.

Data Verification

Index data entered into fields can be verified in a number of ways including date/time and data format verification, and numeric checksum options.

Keywords

Keyword lists can be assigned to Cabinet fields that gives a defined list of allowed values that can be set. In addition, keyword lists can be linked so that a keyword set in one field determines the keywords allowed to be set in another field.

Email Auto Fill

Cabinet fields can be automatically filled with data from emails stored to FileDirector, such as ‘To’ and ‘From’ information, as well as the email body.

Index Data Import

Index data can be imported from an external source and assigned directly to documents.

Barcode Reading*

FileDirector can read barcodes from documents and add the barcode data to specific Cabinet fields.

Zone OCR ICR*

Standard forms can have data read from them and add to Cabinet fields, automatically indexing the document.

Forms Recognition*

FileDirector can recognise forms and then read data from them, assigning the documents to a Document Type associated with the Form type.

* denotes optional FileDirector Add-on

FileDirector makes retrieving and viewing documents an easy and quick process whether the workstation being used has the FileDirector Client loaded or not. Most importantly, FileDirector ensures that only those authorised to view documents can do so.

Client and Browser Retrieval

Documents can be searched for and viewed using the FileDirector Client or just an internet browser.

Secure Access

FileDirector uses ADS/LDAP or NT Domain security, and only those accounts authorised to access FileDirector can do so. In addition, rights can also be applied at Cabinet, Document Type and document level, ensuring that unauthorised access to documents cannot take place.

Document Search Options

Documents can be searched for within specific Document Types or across all Document Types that a user has rights to. The index data assigned to documents can be searched or full text searches can be performed if the documents have been full text OCR’d*

Local Documents

Copies of documents a user has rights to access can be held locally on the users workstation so that they can view them when not connected to the FileDirector Server.

Personal Folder

Documents can be sent to a user by another FileDirector user, or as part of the Process Management* . These documents will be available to the user from their Personal Folder.

Email

Documents can be emailed using the Send to Email feature, which will open a new message window with the document as an attachment.

Printing

With the Office Integration add-on installed, over 200 different format documents can be printed, without the need of the source application.