ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), the global provider of speech and imaging solutions, is now shipping in the UK a new range of PDF conversion products that enable small to medium business professionals to convert and create PDF files at a fraction of the cost of other available solutions.
The new products ScanSoft PDF Create!, PDF Converter and PDF Converter Professional 2.0 allow users to create industry-standard PDF files from any Microsoft Windows application, and also convert PDFs into fully formatted Word documents.
Priced at around 20 per cent of the cost of Adobe Acrobat Standard, the new ScanSoft PDF products are addressing the growing demand among small to medium enterprises for efficient, affordable document modification solutions. For cost-conscious SMEs and medium sized businesses that require multiple copies of the software, ScanSoft offers the Diamond Licence Program, a simple and flexible certification-based program for users to cost effectively install PDF Converter 2 on several computers. Available for customers wishing to install 15 or more copies of the software, users purchase one licence for each copy installed. As the licence is for life, the Diamond Licence Program makes it even easier to install PDF Converter 2 on every licensed users desktop.
PDF has been widely embraced by design and pre-press professionals, who value the format for its ability to enable digital workflows within print shops and publishing houses. The format has also become a standard for placing same-as-paper documents and forms on the Web, resulting in over 500 million downloads of Adobe Reader to date, according to Adobe Systems, Inc. Today, even small businesses, particularly those providing professional services, send and received PDF documents. And, as with larger organisations, they need to release the data that is locked into the PDF, with a tool that is both cost effective and easy to use.
It isnt a coincidence that there are so many millions of Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat Standard users, said John Shagoury, president, ScanSoft Productivity Applications Division. The equal distribution of Microsoft Word and PDF is simply a reflection of the fact that each format delivers features that are uniquely suited for different parts of a business document lifecycle.
Shagoury added: However, the deployment of PDF creation capabilities within small business environments has been slowed due to the high cost, complexity and limitations found within current solutions. The new releases from ScanSoft overcome these historical barriers by delivering the price, performance and features specifically designed for small business users. Our PDF solutions are significant because they enable more efficient document authoring, editing and distribution, no matter the format
Referring to how Birmingham-based King Edward VI Camp Hill school is using PDF Converter 2 to take PDF files from examination materials and to edit them into targeted revision and test materials, George Rouse, ICT Coordinator, said: Our reason for purchasing ScanSofts PDF Converter 2 was based on the quality and ease of use of this product. Compared to the other ones we have tried its less complicated and much of the process is automatic. I am particularly pleased with the way it sits within the Office suite
He added: Being able to convert materials to Word documents and subsequently edit them, is very useful and certainly better than attempting to scan and use optical character recognition software. In my opinion PDF Converter is more flexible than Adobes Acrobat.
PDF Create! is significant because it delivers better PDF for business, enabling PDF creation at up to five times faster than alternatives, with pricing that starts at just 39.99. PDF Create! removes the complexities associated with creating PDF, providing users with an easy-to-use application that has tight integration with Microsoft Office and Windows. While fast and affordable, the product delivers the rich set of features needed by business users, including compatibility with Adobe Acrobat Standard, password and encryption, font embedding and more.
ScanSoft PDF Converter 2.0, developed through collaboration between ScanSoft and Microsoft, delivers significant enhancements and features for turning PDF into fully-formatted Microsoft Word documents. Already the worlds number one-selling PDF-to-Word solution, PDF Converter has been extended to not only converter documents, but also can turn PDF forms into the Microsoft Word format. The product is also unique in delivering a built-in PDF viewer, which enables converting specific pages of a PDF, even if Adobe Reader is not installed on the system. Also priced at 39.99, PDF Converter provides business users with capabilities not available at all within other more expensive PDF applications.
Add a Comment
No messages on this article yet