The majority of the unstructured content in an organization is "fixed" content—that is, content in its final form. Organizations are under more pressure than ever before to manage this content effectively, not only for compliance and risk reduction purposes, but also to improve operational efficiency and productivity while reducing costs.
Captaris Alchemy gives organizations the power to manage and use all of their fixed content—including images, faxes, email, PDFs, and COLD—throughout the information lifecycle management (ILM) stages, with an integrated and scalable set of tools that are easy to deploy and even easier to use. Alchemy delivers a complete fixed content management system that can grow with an organization’s information management needs, with modules that provide capture, workflow, document management, archiving, records management, integration, retrieval and distribution at a fraction of the cost to acquire and deploy when compared to enterprise content management suites.
Alchemy Content Management Servers
- The Alchemy Advanced Server is the basis for applications requiring integrated document management, records management, compliance and workflow, along with fixed content management. The license includes one Advanced Server license with Library Services, Audit Logging, and Role-based Access Control, the Standard Server functionality, and one Alchemy Administrator (formerly called ‘Build’) client license. Additional Administrator licenses are available.
- The Alchemy Standard Server is the basis for fixed content management applications such as imaging and computer report archiving. The license includes one Standard Server license with multi-user repository management and integrated Windows security and one Alchemy Administrator (formerly called ‘Build’) client license. Additional Administrator licenses are available.
Alchemy Clients
End-user client programs come in a variety of flexible options to meet diverse needs.
- For content contributors: The Index Station allows users to add, annotate, index and view documents, and is ideal for imaging and workflow applications. The Document Management Client is an add-in to Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) that adds document and records management functionality and repository access. It requires the Alchemy Advanced Server.
- For content consumers: The Alchemy Search client is for content consumers, providing read-only access to Alchemy repositories on a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) or on portable optical discs such as Compact Disk (CD) or Digital Video Disk (DVD). There are two types of Search clients—a Windows desktop client to view repositories on a LAN/WAN or on portable optical discs such as CD, DVD, UDO or PDD, and an Internet Explorer client for Web access. Search client licenses allow for access using both types of clients on the same Alchemy Server. Web access also requires the Alchemy Web license.
Alchemy Input Modules
- Alchemy Scan: Captures paper documents into an Alchemy repository using a wide range of scanners. Includes advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for full-text OCR or zone OCR. Includes bar code recognition. Requires an Alchemy Administrator (formerly ‘Build’) or Index Station license.
- DataGrabber: Development license to write definition files to import large American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) or Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC) computer output files into an Alchemy repository. Includes the Runtime license for same workstation. Requires an Alchemy Administrator (formerly ‘Build’) license.
- DataGrabber Runtime: License to run predefined definition files within Alchemy Administrator (formerly ‘Build’). Requires an Alchemy Administrator (formerly ‘Build’) license.
- Exchange Archive Link for Alchemy: A “back office” archiving server that captures emails from one or more Exchange servers and stores them into Alchemy repositories. The Exchange Archive Link for Alchemy Server license includes one Alchemy Standard Server license and one Exchange Archive Link for Alchemy Administrator license.
- Portable Document Format (PDF), Computer Aided Design (CAD) file and Windows Explorer drag and drop input are available with the Alchemy Administrator or Index Station.
- Microsoft Office document input is available with the Document Management add-in, Alchemy Administrator or Index Station.
Alchemy Server Options
- Alchemy Web: The middleware services layer that publishes Alchemy repositories to the Internet using an Internet Explorer browser. Requires the Alchemy Standard or Advanced Server, and Alchemy Search client access licenses.
- Alchemy Records Manager: For records managers to create and manage record file plans and retention schedules that are applied to content stored in Alchemy repositories, as well as physical files and electronic files stored on the Windows file system. Requires the Alchemy Advanced Server.
- Database Encryption Module: Adds an additional layer of very high security to Alchemy repositories by using a 256 byte Blowfish-based security algorithm. Requires the Alchemy Standard or Advanced Server.
- Alchemy Web Parts for SharePoint Portal Server: Adds the ability for users to archive documents from SharePoint document libraries to Alchemy repositories and to import archived documents from Alchemy and view them within SharePoint.
Alchemy Workflow Solutions
Alchemy Workflow can help by automating, streamlining and improving people-intensive processes where documents and images are involved. The result: reduce costs, increase profitability, comply with regulations, and prevent costly errors. Alchemy Workflow allows users or administrators to set up advanced document and process workflows. Powered by Captaris Workflow.
Integration Solutions for Software Developers
- The Alchemy Software Development Kit (SDK) includes documentation and code samples to assist developers in writing custom Windows-based solutions using the rich and extensive Alchemy Application Program Interfaces (APIs). Popular uses include integrating repository content or client functionality into other Windows applications, as well as creating custom interfaces for vertical applications.
- The Alchemy Web Engine Platform is an XML-based, Web Services-compliant, and scalable development platform. Popular uses include integrating repository content into Web portals or other Internet applications.
Service Bureau Solutions
Alchemy Pro is a special annual and renewable license for imaging, computer report archiving and Component Object Module (COM) bureaus. It includes the Alchemy Standard Server and the required number of Alchemy Administrator (formerly called ‘Build’) licenses. The Pro license can be expanded with Alchemy Scan, DataGrabber, Index Stations and the Alchemy Web module. Bureaus are licensed to distribute the data and the Alchemy Search client for Windows on CD or DVD. High volume computer report archiving and Component Object Model (COM) bureaus should also consider Mercury.
Classic Standalone Solutions
Alchemy Gold is the original ‘electronic file cabinet’, managing simple imaging and computer report archiving applications without a server. It is ideal for small offices where one person handles the input and repository management tasks, with read-only access by a small Windows workgroup. The Gold license includes one Administrator (formerly called ‘Build’) and one Windows Search license. Gold can be expanded with an Alchemy Scan or DataGrabber module.
Advantages - Alchemy Fixed Content Management from Captaris
Alchemy 8.0 provides a full-featured solution to handle a wide range of fixed content management applications, in a straightforward implementation that makes great sense for organizations with limited IT resources.
- Provides a common fixed content environment. For capturing and managing a wide range of fixed content management types.
- Contributes to improved customer service and operational efficiency. Helps customer service representatives resolve customer inquiries more quickly, giving them online access to the same documents that customers may be referencing.
- Reduces risk. Helps in business continuity as well as records management and compliance. Supports rules-based capture and retention of all fixed content types, including e-mail. Makes it easier to discover and produce information as required for litigation or audit purposes.
- Simplifies the delivery of client information. Makes great sense for organizations to easily consolidate documents from multiple systems and distribute them in multiple formats, including web and CD or DVD distribution.
- Saves money. By reducing costs in areas such as paper processing, paper storage, printing, and distribution. Is significantly more affordable than most enterprise content management solutions, and customization and integration requirements are minimal.
|
