AFP Technology Introduces PDF417 Two-Dimensional Barcode Technology To The Document Output Management Industry.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1997--

MANUFACTURING, LOGISTICS & RETAIL INDUSTRIES, AND GOVERNMENT SECTORS

TO HAVE ENHANCED BARCODE ABILITY

Sophisticated new technology means huge time savings, and more robust capabilities for any company or organization. Documents developed and distributed using FormScape become machine readable using two dimensional bar codes

AFP Technology, a leader in enterprise-wide document output management, today announced that its FormScape product will offer two-dimensional barcode capabilities. As a result, the newly developed two-dimensional barcodes - which can hold up to 1.lK bytes of data on a single symbol - can now be designed into any document in an easy-to-use, totally visual environment. AFP has incorporated Symbol Technologies 2-D barcoding software for PDF417 in FormScape.

"This is a crucial development for the document and output management industry, because it will mean huge savings in time and money for retailers, manufacturers and the government," says Eddie Riddell, AFPs general manager of US operations.

"FormScapes visual environment means the PDF417 barcodes can be implemented in approximately one tenth the usual time. In addition to being faster, the implementation is also much easier because FormScape makes the development of forms and other output as simple as drag-and-drop."

Mike O'Haire, senior manager of 2-D professional services at Symbol Technologies, agrees that this creates huge new opportunities for customers. "Imagine being able to print a form, and on that form is a bar code that acts like a miniature database containing over 1,000 bytes of information. PDF417 transforms plain paper documents such as invoices, delivery notes, and purchase orders into machine readable media that can be instantly transferred between different computer systems."

"This technology enables FormScape to provide its customers with the industrys most advanced barcoding capabilities," says O'Haire.

ADVANCED MIDDLEWARE MEETS ADVANCED 2-D TECHNOLOGY

FormScape is middleware that re-maps and re-formats legacy print stream data into network compatible output without requiring any changes to the original application or code. This platform-independent product employs conditional (if-then) logic to personalize the content and distribution of business-transaction documents such as invoices, statements, and sales reports.

AFP Technology is implementing Symbol Technologies PDF417 encoding software in FormScape. Unlike a standard one-dimensional bar code, which contains data such as a customer reference or stock numbers, a PDF417 two-dimensional bar code can store a whole document or database record. It can encode shipping manifests, EDI messages, and other data files containing text, numerics, binary files, or complex graphics. FormScape and PDF417 require no special printer technology and can be output to any Windows-compatible printer.

AFP Technology, LLC, is the leading provider of tools that enable companies to use and leverage the output of legacy data throughout enterprise network applications or to external destinations. AFPs FormScape is middleware that simplifies the manipulation, migration and distribution of print data from any host platform for viewing, outputting, and archiving anywhere in the enterprise network or externally. Documents created with FormScape can be customized, are visually superior, and can incorporate advanced features such as two-dimensional bar codes and customized, intelligent business decision rules. FormScape accomplishes these tasks without requiring any alterations to the core applications. In addition, FormScapes totally visual environment makes development as easy as drag-and-drop.

CONTACT: Bradd Pavur

Brodeur Porter Novelli 

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