VirtualViewer AJAX with File Annotation and Redaction Support Released by Snowbound Software

Robust zero footprint viewer for Java or .NET provides annotation capabilities through a web browser for virtually any document or image; eliminates the need to download an applet or client

Watertown, MA. (August 27, 2008) – Snowbound Software, the leading provider of document viewing and conversion technology to accelerate the document lifecycle, today announced that its zero footprint viewer, VirtualViewer™ AJAX, will include annotation and redaction support beginning in September. VirtualViewer AJAX is the latest addition to Snowbound’s VirtualViewer suite of high-speed™ viewing solutions. 

This release of VirtualViewer AJAX will enable end users to view and create annotations on a wide variety of images and documents through a web browser. Its XML-based annotations can be applied to any file supported by the viewer including Word, Excel, PDF, AFP, TIFF and many more. Because the annotations are XML-based, annotations that are created in the Java or .NET client/server versions of VirtualViewer can be read in the AJAX viewer as well as any other Snowbound product.

The AJAX option also handles redactions created within the other VirtualViewer configurations.  Conversely, the Java or .NET client/server options support annotations created in the AJAX viewer. This enhances document and image processing collaboration because remote end users will be able to access content and read and write annotations through a simple web browser; they will no longer be restricted by their operating system or desktop applications.

Additional VirtualViewer AJAX annotation features include the ability to:

• Search and extract annotation information – XML format enables quick search and extraction of information contained within the annotation. The captured information can be used to create audit trails and/or populate databases.
• Store annotations as separate objects – Enables annotation capabilities to be based on user permission levels set up by the administrator. This ensures document security and supports compliance efforts by adhering to the read/write permissions in the repository.
• Support a variety of annotations – Rubber stamps, highlighting, sticky notes, and more.

Chris Moynihan, Snowbound’s product manager said, “Adding these annotation capabilities and redaction support to our zero footprint viewer enables anyone with a web browser to annotate documents and images. This removes the challenge companies face when they want to provide a high-speed viewing option, but do not control the end user environment or do not want to maintain clients or applets.”

The zero footprint viewer is available for both Java and .NET.  VirtualViewer AJAX incorporates Snowbound’s unique Page on Demand™ (PoD) technology for extremely fast document viewing. PoD utilizes server processing power to break-up and render pages, generate thumbnails, and immediately deliver only the specific requested page(s) to the client for viewing, regardless of the document size or format.

Moynihan added, “We believe this enhancement will help our customers to accelerate their document and image workflow and further streamline their processes. We want to give our customers the choice to implement the viewer, or combination of viewers, that best meets their needs without sacrificing critical collaboration requirements.  Our ability to support annotations seamlessly across all of our viewers in the VirtualViewer suite does that.”

VirtualViewer is Snowbound’s next generation suite of high-speed viewing technology that allows users to view virtually any document or image format on any platform, from anywhere.  With VirtualViewer, end users can manipulate, redact, create and print documents and images stored within the repository. It is the only viewing solution available today that offers multiple client and server configurations including a Java applet, a .NET client, as well as the true zero footprint AJAX client.  Users can combine one or more of these clients with one of our robust server components in either .NET or 100% Java for a complete integrated client-server high-speed viewing solution.

About Snowbound Software

Snowbound Software creates viewing and conversion technology that augments applications and productivity throughout the entire document lifecycle. Our platform agnostic components provide essential capabilities at each step from input through archiving. Snowbound’s global customer base includes millions of installations and thousands of developers spanning a variety of industries. For more information please visit http://www.snowbound.com.

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