Bluebird's new imageABLE 4.0 extends component imaging to the enterprise.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 1, 1996--With the release of its new imageABLE 4.0 document imaging system, Bluebird Systems, a leader in enterprise-scalable, document imaging software, has ushered in a new era of next-generation component imaging technology.

ImageABLE 4.0 positions Bluebird as the only vendor to offer an image and object server, empowering corporate MIS developers and resellers with the ability to rapidly develop secure and enterprise-scalable imaging applications for the first time.

"Until now, component imaging tools have been hampered by their limited scalability and security," said Hal Tilbury, president of Bluebird Systems. "ImageABLE 4.0 changes this by moving component imaging technology to its second generation, enabling corporate MIS developers and resellers to produce applications that are enterprise-scalable for the first time. The software offers all the scalability and security of the more expensive monolithic solutions, plus the added benefits of component imaging, such as flexibility and cost-effectiveness."

ImageABLE 4.0 allows for the quick and inexpensive development of imaging applications that can later be easily scaled up for enterprise-wide deployment. By incorporating a Virtual Object Management architecture, imageABLE software provides support for production throughput, multiple servers, global query and high security.

Designed for resellers and corporate MIS developers, the software includes an image and object management server, and a suite of feature-rich products including a storage subsystem, document capture component, workflow automation software, viewing and annotation tools, and a rapid application development tool kit. Bluebird's open architecture allows ancillary components to be easily replaced with third-party alternatives, such as workflow, COLD and image processing engines, if the user desires.

Component Imaging Supports User Demands for Mainstream Solutions

According to Bruce Silver, a leading independent analyst serving the document imaging market, true component imaging is defined as a set of integrated software building blocks, each replaceable with third-party alternatives, that can be easily assembled into solutions using standard rapid-development tools.

Component approaches to document imaging offer flexibility, allowing the user to select best-of-breed products that suit their specific needs while avoiding the one-size-fits-all nature of more traditional methods. Due to market competition among the third-party component suppliers, the component imaging approach offers additional advantages, such as expedient incorporation of the latest technological advances and lower costs. In addition, buyers can avoid the risk of locking into a single proprietary supplier and instead can upgrade to new components quickly and easily as they become available.

"As imaging technology moves into the mainstream, buyers are demanding software that fits a mainstream product model based on interoperable building blocks from a wide variety of compatible suppliers. This is what component imaging is all about," said Silver. "But while great in theory, the component imaging approach has been hindered to date by real-world limitations, including the scarcity of scalable components for such important back-end services as object management and storage.

"By offering both client- and server-side imaging components, and by providing them in a form designed for PowerBuilder developers, Bluebird Systems is well-positioned to overcome the fundamental limits of component imaging and extend the technology to the enterprise for the first time," Silver said.

Unlike most client/server imaging systems, imageABLE can scale horizontally with multiple, coordinated servers, as well as vertically via support for very high-end machines. ImageDSM, one of the system components, provides distributed storage management, allowing multiple storage servers throughout the enterprise, independent of the image and object management server. Another component, imageDQM (Distributed Query Manager), provides queries and retrievals across multiple servers, transparent to the user. Users are equipped with a powerful global search capability that works with any combination of supported platforms and databases on the network. This feature is ideal for distributed organizations and government applications.

For security, server-enforced access control is individually applied to all objects including pages, documents, containers (folders), notes, and more. Every object or resource is "owned" by a group or access control list, which authorizes read, rename, index, create, and delete privileges. All access to stored objects must go through the image and object management server.

Rapid Application Development

The key to imageABLE's use as a component framework is its rapid application development tool kit especially geared for PowerBuilder developers, (see companion news release). The imageABLE Tool Kit for PowerBuilder enables VARs and corporate developers to build and deploy production-level imaging applications quickly and cost-effectively. Most other imaging software products provide C APIs, proprietary scripts and some VBXs, but very few support native PowerBuilder user objects and sample applications the way imageABLE 4.0 does.

Bluebird also offers the imageABLE Tool Kit for C/C++, which is designed for highly specialized, systems-programming requirements.

Multi-Platform Support, New User Interface, International Support, and More

ImageABLE 4.0 features an enhanced user interface, expanded platform and relational database support, as well as other features that support the company's component imaging strategy. Support for multiple platforms, operating systems and relational database management systems (RDBMSs) in heterogeneous settings further enhances the flexibility of imageABLE 4.0. In addition, all document indexing and storage functions are server- and database-independent.

The software supports AIX, HP-UX, SCO UNIX and Pyramid DC/OSx servers, and Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 clients. The software also supports one of the widest range of RDBMSs in the imaging industry, including products from Informix, Oracle, Sybase and IBM (DB2/6000). More importantly, servers and databases are independent of end-user applications, keeping the user's future options open, and preserving the investment in application development and related training.

ImageABLE 4.0 adopts the style and usability improvements of Windows 95, featuring tool bars and 3-D icons, links between all imageABLE applications and custom applications, and quick user transition and flow between containers, documents and individual pages. Users can now also send imageABLE documents, folders, and other objects directly to other applications without placing them on the desktop first, eliminating clutter and significantly improving speed.

The new release incorporates an imaging engine to allow users to set brightness, contrast, and scale-to-grey during image processing. Users can scan and print images in either monochrome, optional greyscale or color, allowing easy viewing and printing of older documents. ImageABLE 4.0 is also now able to support all of the leading image formats, including GIF, BMP, PCX, Targa, TIFF and others, thus meeting the storage needs of companies using many different document formats.

All imageABLE 4.0 applications come with a separate language file that is easily editable via a word processing program rather than conventional methods requiring resource editors, compilers and linkers. International resellers can quickly localize and integrate imageABLE with their application software, and they can also support customers who need different language workstations across the same network.

ImageABLE 4.0 also offers an enhanced desktop scanner, keywords, mail, and import/export applications, as well as improved image print support.

Now Available

ImageABLE is sold and supported by Bluebird Systems direct to Fortune 1000 accounts; through domestic VARs that image-enable industry applications; and via business partners in over 20 countries worldwide. ImageABLE 4.0 is now shipping. Call for pricing information.

About Bluebird Systems

Bluebird Systems, based in Carlsbad, develops high-performance, enterprise-scalable software for document imaging applications. The company's flagship product, imageABLE 4.0, is the industry's first object server that provides an open choice of image components and complex data objects for building high-performance, secure applications in distributed environments. ImageABLE software include object management servers, storage servers, client desktop environments and rapid application development tool kits for creating custom imaging solutions.

For more information, contact Bluebird Systems, 5900 La Place Court, Carlsbad, Calif. 92008. Toll-free telephone: [phone]. International telephone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. http://www.bluebird.com. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Bluebird Systems and imageABLE are registered trademarks, and imageCOLD, imageFLOW, imageDSM and imageDQM are trademarks of Bluebird Systems. All other products mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers.

CONTACT: Bluebird Systems, Carlsbad

Yolanda Tilbury, 619/438-2220 (ext. 320)

Tom Toperczer, 619/438-2220 (ext. 321)

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AIIM booth no. 4905