May 1999

e.docs

E-forms with Delivery Options

A variety of solutions let users design and post electronic forms on the Web. Some require you to download plug-ins in order to view and fill out the form. Others offer wrapper applications that automatically launch when you open up the document. Still other systems take a traditional thick-client approach, requiring each user to install software.

These choices bring differences in functionality, cross-platform support and convenience. Thin Web clients usually sacrifice functionality, such as database lookups. Thicker clients tend to be more platform-dependent. Convenience is a problem when a plug-in has to be downloaded.

Why not offer all three of these approaches in one product and let the user decide? Enter OmniForm 4.0 ($149) from Caere (Los Gatos, CA). Introduced in March, version 4.0 supports Windows 9X/ NT 4.0 based client/server applications and cross-platform browser-based applications.

OmniForm outputs electronic forms to the Web in a variety of formats, including DHTML (Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language), HTML, PDF and OFML (OmniForm Markup Language).

DHTML forms, a specialty of OmniForm, are viewable in IE/Netscape 4.0+ browsers without a plug-in for view, fill or print. DHTML has ýAbsolute Positioningý capabilities for viewing and printing complex forms with style and layout elements intact.

JavaScript can be embedded in the forms for calculations, validations and drop-down boxes on browsers.

HTML forms are very thin and distributable for view and submission, but are less accurate for presentation and printing.

Fillable PDF forms are dependent on the Adobe Acrobat plug-in for view, fill and print. Acrobat supports drop-down boxes and prints forms perfectly.

OFML is Caereýs proprietary file format used in the OmniForm Filler browser plug-in. The plug-in allows users to view, fill, save and print forms with total accuracy.

The OmniForm Filler can also be distributed with individual forms as a ýmailable fillerý that wraps around the form. The Windows and Mac plug-ins are available free for download from Caereýs Web site.

For client/server applications, a more robust client ($49) supports extended database lookups and spell checks. It automatically adds saved forms to OmniFormýs central database.

Part of OmniFormýs strength stems from Caereýs strong background in recognition. Enhanced Logical Forms Recognition is used to recognize form elements; Optical Character Recognition (OCR) recognizes the text areas on forms, to convert scanned paper forms to editable electronic ones.

Caere packs a lot of functionality into a very affordable box, and it gives the more expensive e-forms solutions a run for their money.

Metadata

Caere OmniForm 4.0

Los Gatos, CA 408-395-7000 www.caere.com

Description: Captures paper forms and creates e-versions for Web distribution.

Features: Offers several options for filler distribution based on different file formats. Easy, reliable method of creating electronic forms from paper originals.

Price: $149 including one client; $49 each additional client

Client Support: Desktop: Windows 9x/NT 4.0. Browser: Internet Explorer/Netscape 4.0 or higher to support DHTML.

ProductInfo 203 at
www.imagingmagazine.com

Resource Locator

• Caereýs Web site www.caere.com provides information on using forms with popular Interent Service Providers (ISPs). The instructions help you post forms through your ISP and then collect the data as they are filled out. There are also instructions that allow ISP subscribers to add CGI scripts to the hosting site. Participating ISPs include AT&T IP Service, Concentric Network, Earthlink, Mindspring, Netcom and WorldCom.

• Digital security methods are playing an important role in electronic forms applications by offering a way to secure the electronic transactions that take place. OmniForm supports AproveIt handwritten digital signatures from
  Silinas Technology to ensure document security and approval. Go to www.
  silanis.com for information on their
  digital signature technology.

Info Bytes

• The Internal Revenue Service is implementing OmniForm to support revenue agents working on the road. The system will recreate about 500 tax forms using the fillable PDF format, which the IRS has standardized for electronic delivery. The IRS has purchased 13,000 licenses of Adobe Acrobat Exchange. Agents will use this system to fill, print and save forms.

• DHTML, or Dynamic HTML, is a fairly new web technology that enables the elements inside your Web page, such as text, graphics, page styles and layouts, to be changed dynamically. Having more control over page elements allows ýAbsolute Positioning,ý which allows Caere to present forms on the Web accurately.