RJS Software Unveils Windows-Based Forms Package

by Alex Woodie

RJS Software Systems last week unveiled a new forms product that's designed to save users money by eliminating pre-printed forms and providing an onramp to electronic document distribution. E-Forms runs on a Windows workstation and is compatible with the output of iSeries, Unix, Linux, and Windows servers, which is in-line with the company's new cross-platform, Java-centric development strategy. RJS Software also unveiled a new release of its Enterprise Workflow product.

The new E-Forms product combines a graphical Windows-based forms design tool and the run-time component that is needed to merge the form overlay with spool file data generated by applications. The design tool can be used to create forms from scratch, or it can be used to create an electronic version of an existing pre-printed form, such as a check, invoice, or purchase order.

To create an electronic version of an existing pre-printed form, users must first scan their pre-printed form into a graphical format. Users can then trace the lines, boxes, and other elements into the E-Forms package. Once the user is happy with the look and feel of their form, the E-Forms design tool enables them to map their existing data fields to the proper place on the form. While all processing for the forms creation and data-merging processes are done on Windows machines, the forms and data can reside on the iSeries server.

Forms created by RJS' E-Forms package can be printed on any PCL or PostScript printer, the company says. Optionally, it can create archived copies of documents in the PDF format. Integration with other RJS products enables E-Forms users to distribute their documents electronically. A company spokeswoman says E-Forms will work with all RJS electronic distribution products, which includes the WinSpool/400 products, Email Report Server/400, Enterprise Fax Solution, and others. Pricing for E-Forms starts at $4,999.

The new E-Forms product isn't the first forms design product to come out of the Burnsville, Minnesota, company. The company had offered an OS/400-centric package, called WinSpool/400 Electronic Forms, for some time. But that product only worked with the output from OS/400 servers, which restricts its value from both a customer and an ISV viewpoint. By enabling users to create their own forms for a variety of operating systems with a single package, RJS Software is making life easier for customers and its own development and support organizations.

RJS also announced a new release of Enterprise Workflow last week. Enterprise Workflow is a Java-based product that helps organizations run more efficiently by electronically routing documents among people and enforcing the review and approval process. The software can be used to route practically any type of document, including PC files, electronic forms, iSeries reports, images, and media files.

RJS initially launched Enterprise Workflow at the spring COMMON conference (see "RJS Unveils New Workflow Product, Cross-Platform Strategy"). This release is more refined and eliminates some of the rough edges of the early release of the product, the company spokeswoman says. Licenses for Enterprise Workflow range from $5,000 to $20,000. See www.rjssoftware.com for more information on E-Forms and Enterprise Workflow.

This article and its headline have been corrected. The E-Forms product was developed for Windows, and was not written in Java, as the story and headline previously stated. Also, E-Forms pricing starts at $4,999. IT Jungle regrets the errors. [Corrections made 08/09/05 and 08/11/05].