Intelligent Document Conversion Solutions^®

Newsletter, Summer 2004

In This Issue

New in the ECS

Innovative graphics processing simplifies complex XML content conversion projects

Materials that include ornamentation and complex design features have long been challenging to convert to XML, even by hand. The problem is two-fold: complex documents usually contain a variety of graphics, some of which may be simple ornamentation, with others actually fundamental to the subject matter. In addition, these graphics can consist of images overlaid either with text that is integral to the image content, or with actual body text. The analysis and extraction of such content into a meaningful order in the converted XML file is not currently possible via scripting conversion tools, and can be time-consuming and arduous to tag manually.

Now, Exegenix simplifies the conversion of entire classes of documents via groundbreaking functionality that separates and extracts text layers from graphical objects. In addition to the automated image processing capabilities already available in Exegenix Conversion Solutions, conversion operators with no XML expertise can now quickly and easily:

• differentiate between images that are "decoration", and those that are part of the main document content
• identify text that overlays an image as "part of the image" or "part of the main body text." The exported images include any text identified as integral to the image itself; any text identified as body content is excluded from the image, delivering a clean, republishable image.

This functionality is delivered via Exegenix's user-friendly conversion Inspector, which offers a unique WYSIWYG preview into the conversion process before any XML is generated. No XML expertise is required-the ECS Inspector is intuitive enough for even a novice user.

For more information on Exegenix graphics processing, please contact Ryan Germann, Product Manager.

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Insider Info

Automated pre-processing of Word and WordPerfect files

If some of your documents are in Word or WordPerfect format, rather than PDF or PostScript, you can take advantage of a convenient new component to streamline your conversion process. Instead of batch-converting to PostScript yourself, Exegenix Conversion Satellite users can upload these WP documents directly. They are automatically pre-processed to PostScript, and then queued for conversion in the usual way.

Note that documents containing non-standard typefaces are sometimes subject to font substitution issues, though their scope depends on the actual font that was used.

For more information on Word/WordPerfect pre-processing, please contact Ryan Germann, Product Manager.

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Exegenix in action

Exegenix online seminar schedule

"Intelligent XML document conversion"

Upcoming dates:

September 22
September 29

11am East Coast (8am West Coast/4pm UK/5pm Europe)

45 minutes you won't want to miss if you're already converting content to XML, or you're planning for it!

XML conversion in real-time, demonstrating:

• the power, the flexibility and the ease of use of the Exegenix Conversion Satellite
• the uniquely rich structure of our XML output
• how Exegenix technology can save you time, money, and conversion headaches

Personalize your experience —send us a sample of your material ahead of the seminar, and we'll demonstrate on your files. Just upload a file at http://www.exegenix.com/solutions/sample/, and indicate in the Comments field which online seminar it's for.

Contact Marian Downie to book your free place now.

Tradeshow Participation

If you would like to arrange some specific demo/discussion time with Exegenix at any of these events, please contact Steve Downie, VP Sales and Marketing.

XML 2004

We will be exhibiting the latest Exegenix Conversion Satellite at the XML 2004 conference in Washington, DC, November 16-18, Booth # TBA

Content Management Europe 2004

Exegenix is participating in CME 2004, co-located with Online Information 2004. We will be demonstrating the new capabilities of the Exegenix Conversion Satellite at Booth #334 throughout the event - November 30 through December 2 at the Olympia Grand Hall in London, UK.

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Exegenix In The News

Mark Logic

Mark Logic, developers of the first enterprise-class database specifically designed for disparately structured content, have selected Exegenix conversion technology to streamline the population of customers' content platforms.

Mark Logic Content Interaction Server leverages all of the mark-up provided by the Exegenix engine, both the content and the context in which it appears, enabling content to be immediately ingested and repurposed. This partnership will provide customers with a smooth, seamless and cost-effective workflow that extracts maximum value from existing content and enables the creation of new content-based products and services.

For more details, see www.marklogic.com, or contact Steve Downie, VP Sales & Marketing.

Print Action

Exegenix CEO, Dr William Clarke, has been designated one of Canada's 50 most influential people in Graphic Communications, by PrintAction Magazine.

In an article on disruptive technology (July 2004) that encourages the reader to consider what and who is influencing the business of information distribution, 50 leaders - including our own - were selected on the basis of strategic vision, intelligent use of technology, innovation, achievement, and industry reach.

Says editor Jon Robinson about Exegenix: "Software companies have been chasing after conversion tools for the killer program that would flood the business world".

For more info, visit www.printaction.com

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Changes at Exegenix...

Charlie Halpern-Hamu, formerly VP, Technology, has switched focus to take the helm of Exegenix's in-house XML conversion services department.

As VP, Customer Service, Charlie's wide-ranging experience as an independent XML consultant, coupled with intimate knowledge of Exegenix conversion technology, guarantees our clients practical discussion to determine and refine their input specifications and XML output requirements.

Charlie's new responsibilities are two-fold:

• He leads the teams that undertake large and complex projects for Exegenix service clients. Organizations that outsource their XML conversion to Exegenix appreciate Charlie's no-nonsense ability to deliver projects on time, to budget, and to each client's satisfaction.
• For customers that prefer to deploy an Exegenix Conversion Satellite, Charlie's group provides product support and advice on conversion strategies, workflow automation, and post-processing activities, ensuring successful implementation and cost-effective ongoing XML production.

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Resources

FREE! Sample File Conversion

It's easier than ever before to send us a sample of your content for conversion to XML, and it's free! Just visit our upload page at www.exegenix.com/solutions/sample/ to submit documents between 10 and 30 contiguous pages long in PDF Normal or PostScript format.

All XML output will be returned to you via email. Output for each sample file consists of the following:

• Exegenix Export XML
  This file contains XML conforming to the Exegenix Export DTD (a superset of DocBook). It illustrates the versatility of our output, containing both structure elements and format attributes, and can be easily transformed to the DTD of your choice.
• XHTML
  For quick viewing in a browser

Note that we individually review each sample that is uploaded so, though the actual conversion process is automated, the submission process is not.

For other input formats, or for transformation to a specific DTD, please contact Steve Downie, VP Sales & Marketing.

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Feedback

If you have any comments or questions about this newsletter, we'd love to hear from you. Please email the editor at newsletter@exegenix.com.

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