S4i Systems has announced details of V.3.1 of its browser-based user interface for S4i Express, called WebView, a software module that establishes a centralized web-based document portal to allow internal and external users access to documents and reports on the System i or network, a solution that also simplifies document distribution.

S4i Systems, Inc. is a provider of electronic document management, imaging, and DASD management solutions for the iSeries/System i.

In V3.1, S4i WebView has been completely rewritten using the latest Web 2.0 technology. Web applications developed in this latest technology transcend the limitations common to browser-based applications and can be as functionally rich as their desktop application counterparts, according to the company. User input is processed almost instantly, with no waiting for pages to reload, the company says. This new version of S4i WebView is thoughtfully designed, intuitive, and feature-rich, and is a must-have option for S4i Express, say company executives. "We designed WebView to function like a fat desktop application and not a thin browser-based one," says Spencer Elliot, president of S4i. "It works just like an application is supposed to. It's amazing that it runs in a browser. This is where all browser-based applications should be going."

Folder File Structure with Drag and Drop
S4i WebView now gives users familiar drag and drop actions to organize frequently used documents and distribution lists inside folders. Items can also be dragged to different folders or purged with a mouse click. New folders can be added by simply naming them, and folder names can be changed by double clicking on the current name. When documents are made available to users they appear in their list of "Favorites" or can be selected from a list of accessible documents. Once selected, the user is prompted with index information either to further define their search or easily select the entire document with a single mouse click.

Annotation
S4i WebView allows users to annotate documents by adding notes associated with a document or within its pages. Users can decide if the notes should be included with the documents when they are transmitted. Annotations can be comments, redlining, or highlighting. S4i WebView captures annotations and stores them on the iSeries/System i with the documents they reference.

Multiple Attachments
S4i WebView now allows users to send several attachments with a single email rather than attaching only one document per email. This feature is new to document management tools in general, since most only permit the transmission of one attached document per email.

Fax
S4i WebView, coupled with S4i Express, simplifies document distribution and supports a variety of formats and distribution methods including email, FTP, and print. Users can easily fax documents with point and click simplicity. The user controls for faxing look like other distribution options. Advanced controls allow customizing S4i WebView fax services to fit your needs.

Desktop Archiving
Critical business documents created on a desktop can now be captured and maintained in a central System i-based repository with the new desktop archiving functionality offered by WebView. Documents like project plans, training content, process documents, data analysis spreadsheets, correspondence, and any other finished document or work-in-progress can be centrally archived for easier access, improved workflow, and better continuity.

With Desktop Archiving, saved documents are automatically versioned so you can retrieve previous revisions if necessary. New documents are stored under an S4i Express Document Definition and can be organized in any manner you choose.

Documents created on a desktop can be included with other corporate documents to create a complete electronic file system under uniform control. All customer records, for example, can now be placed under S4i Express regardless of their source or file type.

Advanced workflow functionality allows users to automatically distribute documents to an unlimited number of people using, email, ftp, client download push technology, or Web browser-based retrieval.

Security
S4i Express, the System i component of this document management system handles user authorization lists so no OS/i5 user ID needs to be assigned. This system now supports individual passwords and authorities so you can assign different capabilities on a personal or group basis. PDF password support is also available through WebView.

S4i WebView runs on application servers like IBM WebSphere or Apache Tomcat. Browsers that support V3.1 include Microsoft Internet Explorer V6 and 7, Mozilla Firefox V5 and 5.2 and others.

S4i customers who are signed up for direct ship will receive WebView 3.1 automatically. Those who want to obtain a copy but are not enrolled in the direct ship program can call S4i customer service at 800-231-5280 or 760-631-5280.

Free 30-day evaluations of S4i WebView and S4i Express can be obtained by contacting S4i or an authorized reseller.

New customers who license S4i WebView before April 30, 2007, will receive an automatic 15 percent discount. License fees for S4i WebView are based on iSeries/System i model numbers and start at $2,350. Fees include S4i WebView software with online help and printed documentation.

About S4i Systems, Inc.
S4i provides electronic document management and DASD management solutions for the System i. As an IBM Partner in Development, S4i is committed to continuously delivering functionality and supporting its customers on the iSeries/System i platform. S4i is customer-driven and demonstrates this everyday by providing 24X7 customer support and listening to the needs of its customers to help define future capabilities. S4i is represented by direct sales or through resellers in the Americas, Europe, S.E. Asia, and Thailand.

S4i provides electronic document management and disk management solutions for iSeries, AS/400 and IBM System i. With a strong commitment to continuously delivering trusted value, S4i's customer and service driven team provides project design, implementation and project management services to ensure a successful software deployment.

S4i is headquartered in San Clemente, California, and has a European facility that also houses development, support and marketing professionals. S4i Europe is centrally located in Warrington, England. Ready access to S4i solutions is also achieved through downstream distribution relationships with value add resellers in 10 countries, and upstream relationships with IBM, as well as many ERP,.CRM, SCM, and other vendors that offer industry specific solutions for iSeries and AS/400 systems.

To find out more about S4i Systems and its products see their listings in the MC Showcase Buyer's Guide.