XML Support reduces reliance on proprietary applications; provides much greater usability and extends the longevity of document content

Watertown, MA (June 14, 2007) – Snowbound Software, a leading provider of powerful, flexible, and reliable imaging technology, today announced the addition of XML Annotation support for its FlexSnap^® Web Viewer and Collaboration Application and RasterMaster™ Imaging SDKs. The new XML annotation functionality provides companies with greater flexibility to access and read annotations in a wider variety of applications instead of being restricted to working within a proprietary application. In addition, XML-annotated data can be quickly and easily searched and extracted for enhanced productivity.

FlexSnap is Snowbound’s powerful Web-based viewer and collaboration application that delivers high-speed viewing combined with flexible document and image handling capabilities, enabling users to process documents more efficiently. FlexSnap handles annotations as individual layers that can either be overlaid on documents or burned into an image. Layers give users the ability to add, remove and save annotations based on permission sets without affecting the original document or other associated annotations. They also allow FlexSnap to be compatible with access control lists in a repository, permitting individual users to view and modify only the annotations associated with their permission level.  FlexSnap is available for the Java™ and .NET™ platforms. 

RasterMaster is Snowbound’s flagship imaging SDK and Library that provides automated document imaging functions that decrease application development time while providing expert functionality and features including: conversion, annotation, and image manipulation. The SDK gives developers with limited or no imaging knowledge the ability to incorporate robust imaging capabilities into their application through the user-friendly API. Annotations in the SDK are handled as individual files, giving developers greater flexibility when working with annotations. Snowbound’s XML schema enables annotations created in a third-party application to be supported by the SDK.   RasterMaster is available for the Java platform, Windows (DLL, ActiveX^®, .NET) and UNIX.  

James Palo, vice president of research and development at Snowbound Software, said, “XML annotation formats not only give our customers the ability to more easily retrieve their markup data, they also ensure greater access of their information while offering added benefits such as reporting, traceability and portability. Repositories and ECM systems are rapidly adopting XML data capability to answer customer demands for greater portability and transparency of their data.  Snowbound believes that XML annotation will satisfy these important requirements.”

“Additionally, because XML is an open format and not tied to a proprietary system, archived annotation data will be easier to retrieve and view going into the future,” continued Palo. “XML also makes the transition process faster, enabling our customers to easily upgrade their existing viewing solutions and incorporate our applications to enhance their workflow by taking advantage of our speed and reliability.” 

Pricing and Availability

Snowbound Software’s XML Annotation support will be available for RasterMaster beginning in June and for FlexSnap in July. RasterMaster pricing begins at $2,495 plus distribution. FlexSnap pricing begins at $14,000 plus distribution. For more information please visit www.snowbound.com. 

About Snowbound Software

Snowbound Software develops technology that makes viewing, converting, and manipulating documents and images easy. Snowbound's expert imaging toolkits, powerful web viewers, and rapid batch conversion applications accurately support numerous file formats and are designed to increase productivity and profitability across many vertical markets. For more information please visit www.snowbound.com.

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FlexSnap is a registered trademark of Snowbound Software.  RasterMaster is a trademark of Snowbound Software. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective companies.