Our office will be closed during the holiday season from 23 December 2011 up to and including 1 January 2012. We will be pleased to be at your disposal again during our regular office hours from 2 January 2012.

We wish you all enjoyable holidays spent with your loved ones and friends so that you start into a successful 2012 with fresh impetus and new ideas.

May all your Christmas wishes also come true :-)...

... in other words: <strong>Not only<strong> were we there, but we are looking forward to coming back!</strong></strong>

Thanks to the numerous visitors at our stand, the great interest in our products webPDF and n2pdf, the many interesting conversations and the inviting trade fair flair, the SoftVision team is more than satisified with its success at the DMS EXPO 2011.

Even our giveaways - jojos and frisbees - enjoyed great popularity and where <em>the</em><em></em> hit in hall 7. Everywhere you could see the blinking jojos. Both, the exhibitors and the visitors desire to play was awakened, as childhood memories were brought back.

We would like to thank all visitors of our stand at the DMS EXPO 2011 once more for taking the time to visit us and give us the opportunity to demonstrate our products.

Our stand at the DMS EXPO 2011

Our giveaways at the DMS EXPO 2011

Of course, the SoftVision toolbox n2pdf - the flexible tool for converting Notes content into the PDF format - will also not be missing at the DMS EXPO. n2pdf enables the user to create complex files from within a Notes environment at the touch of a button, but can also be integrated into a website.

Find out how you can convert more than 100 different file formats into PDF with the n2pdf Advanced Edition - the combination of n2pdf and webPDF. By attaching digital certificates you can also protect the documents against unnoticed modifications or manipulation.

As you see, a visit at our stand number 7C73 will be worth your while - there is a lot to discover...

Further information about Europe's leading trade fair and conference for enterprise content, output and document management can be found here.

And most important - PDF/A is supported. With the new version of webPDF you can create ISO standard 19005-1 compliant PDF documents directly. In addition, existing PDF/A documents can be validated against the standard.

Besides the integration of the functions into the web portal, all functions can also be used directly as a web service. Thus webPDF can be integrated into other applications or programming languages.

For businesses webPDF 3.0 offers the central platform for PDF conversion. Centrally installed and maintained and accessible from anywhere - without having to install any software on the client. Reduce your operating costs in dealing with PDF documents.

Install webPDF under Windows or Linux on a 32bit or 64bit platform, or use the virtual machine for VMware.

IBM calls this social networking vision "social business" and offers a portfolio of proven as well as new products (e. g. the Lotus Notes/Domino "Next" versions, Quickr, Connections, Sametime, as well as LotusLive) that will allow us all to communicate with our colleagues in a big cloud.

LotusLive Symphony is at the heart of IBM's social business vision. Basically a SaaS solution similar to Google-Apps. Unlike the competition, IBM offers a social business toolkit with LotusLive Symphony. A set of APIs that allow developers to provide individual extensions.

The idea behind everything makes sense: The networks lead to a faster distribution of fresh or existing knowledge to those that need to know, in order to solve their problem at hand.

This may be a nightmare for any research company with patented know-how, but it offers the potential to enormously speed up business processes. As long as you can keep "knowledge distribution" under control. Yup, I'm German. How could you tell :-D?

Practice meets theory or... skeptics and enthusiasts unite!

The vision has a clear business potential.

But yes, I did also play tourist. There was a day to spare before our return trip, so we took the chance to visit the home and pride of American high-tech.

The Kennedy Space Center. History in the making, monumental, gigantic, just a few of the superlatives our tour guide kept repeating. Anyway... those that did fly up and back down in those things have my respect... since I already have my doubts about boarding a simple airliner.

And what did I take back?

A cold. Thanks to an air-conditioning system that was easily capable of keeping soft drinks cool. Impressions of helpful and friendly people. Both qualities that sometimes asked a little too much of me as an average "Middle-European". ;-).

What else?

* digs out the Lotusphere guide the boss wrote *

Enjoy the madness of Lotusphere - Check
Soak up tons of knowledge - Check
Meet lots and lots of interesting people - Check
THE party - Check

THE special guest during the opening session - NOPE. Word of mouth said it was Kevin Spacey. But you know how it is... business, not vacation...

<strong>The flight:
</strong>Will take a while. Actually (and thanks to a number of time zones passed in flight) it'll only be four hours. From Frankfurt (Germany). You'll spend 10 sitting in the plane, though. Sitting? Well... sort of. Compact storage is probably a more fitting description. Can't be helped. Take something along for personal entertainment and something to wear on top of whatever you're wearing. You're on your way to Florida! Who'd expect to get deep frozen on the way there? It also helps to have studied your airlines safety guidelines beforehand. Unless, of course, you prefer to be lynched by fellow passengers, because you're trying to carry about everything onboard of the plane that is forbidden. Yes, they'll find it. Yes, it is rather unnerving, that it obviously only takes a plastic coke bottle to blow up a plane, but no, it makes no sense whatsoever to try to talk your way around it.

<strong>The arrival:
</strong>Americans are famous for their friendliness. Almost all of them. Those that work for the Department of Homeland Security, however, rarely are. To stick to the truth... not often to never. At least not toward foreigners. Let's face it that a) we're potential terrorists - and if a) is untrue then b) we're trying to illegally immigrate to the US. Did you notice? There is no option c)! It helps a great deal to take the immigration process with a good sense of humor and the famous grain of salt. Friendly comments to the well-trained staff suggesting optimized workflows are usually not very well received and may not help your speedy immigration process a whole lot!

<strong>The trip to the hotel:
</strong>Usually by means of a rental car and one of the team members has lost the lottery and has to drive. Tough luck! (Just a quick note to non-German readers: We come from the land of the Autobahn, which sometimes really has no speed limits. Really! No lie!) Traffic works differently. Sort of unhurried. Slllooowwweeer. Lots. The usual, hectic, German pace is uncalled for and can a) become expensive and b) rather dangerous, considering the laws for firearms in most states of the US. So... just go with the flow. Chill. As soon as you're driving, you won't feel too bad about it anymore. Once the exceptional driving experience, surrounding the mobile high-tech equipment, provided by your trusted rental company, engulfs you. Don't be afraid... the car will not fall apart. Most of the time, anyway. It just feels like it will.

<strong>Entering sacred Lotusphere ground for the first time:
</strong>Remember your flight? The "being frozen" part? The same is true for the Lotusphere venue. Air condition somehow has to be set below 18 °C. Whatever the reason may be. Adapt and be prepared by bringing something to wear on top. Otherwise it may end up being a bit chilly. Shoes? Sure, it's a show. We'll be on our feet at least 10 hours a day, so you'll need suitable footwear.

<strong>And besides that?
</strong>Just enjoy the madness of Lotusphere. There is tons of knowledge to be soaked up. There are lots and lots of interesting people to meet and you will experience THE party and get to see THE special guest during the opening session. Both of which will be absolute highlights...

The 2011 Lotusphere is focused on social business. The official Lotusphere video addresses the key points: Internal, as well as external networks will become parts of a new corporate culture, which will encourage employees to interact - without limitations by closed standards and/or borders. Gearing up for the show, Lotus is presenting a handy tool - the "Lotusphere Social Media News Aggregator" that searches tweets and blogs for Lotusphere specific tags and provides live results.

But we won't just be staffing our stand in virtual reality, we'll be there live. "We" that's Marcus Fehl and Peter Hoffmann - technical and sales know-how combined. We look forward to meeting you during the show and at our stand and will be happy to answer all your questions. Of course, we will be showing our products and we will gladly show you how we can support both social, as well as classical businesses. Just stop by at our stand # 201.

...and in emergencies we are also available during our sleigh ride by phone. From 24 December 2010 till 3 January 2011 we will go sledging, but in case of need you can reach us by phone at +49 661 25100-10.

We wish you lots of fun and relaxation during the holidays. Perhaps the current weather will also entice you to go for a sleigh ride through the snow-covered landscape...

• 64bit edition: NotesToPaper (Server) now also available as 64bit edition


• Chart module: Advanced charting options


• Layout sections: Support of different layout sections for a flexible control of destination printers and/or page layouts


• PDF export: PDF/A - Audit-proof archiving


• Document output control: Original and copy by running one single report

A detailed list of all features can be found here.

• simultaneous conversions by activation of more converter instances
• much larger files can be converted into PDF
• optimal use of your Linux ressources

Furthermore, we also offer <strong>virtual machines (VM) of webPDF</strong>. Without the need of any configuration and installation webPDF is <strong>ready for use in only 5 minutes</strong> and can be easily integrated into existing IT structures. Here too we have developed a 64bit Edition, which guarantees you an even more efficient use.

Test the free demo version of our webPDF 64bit Linux edition today. You can find more information about webPDF as VM and the download here.

... time for a new version of n2pdf. From July 1st, 2010 on you have the opportunity to use the new version of n2pdf.

Be prepared for a wide range of new functions. Read more about the new features on our website under the topic "n2pdf 4.0 - What is new" - ranging from 64bit-editions to certifying of PDF documents.

"You have to know the past to move forward".

This makes it even more important to have a perfect solution for archiving your data. n2pdf is the ideal basis for audit-proof archiving. Combine n2pdf as Advanced license with our webPDF server - the platform-independent Java web service. It can not only be used to sign PDF documents, but also to convert over 100 different file formats into the PDF format. Use webPDF as a central conversion service.

This summer will be hot ... don't miss the start of n2pdf 4.0 and be among the first to use the new version of n2pdf.

As we are always working on improving the quality of our products and services, we have enhanced the functionality of the webPDF.jclient for you.
 

 
The latest version enables you to make use of the two new features "Drag&Drop" and minimizing the webPDF.jclient as a tray icon to the notification area.

Test it yourself and download the latest version of webPDF:

http://www.softvision.de/en/downloads.html

We raffled off a few prizes among all participants. The winners will be notified via e-mail within the next days.

The first three winners are:

1st prize: (StarWars figure "Yoda"): Andre Brangs
2nd prize: (StarWars figure "Princess Leia Organa"): Martin Bahmer
3rd prize: (StarWars figure "Darth Vader"): Dirk Kirchhoff

Congratulations :-)...

...and as a birthday present our customer Toy Palace has sponsored some prizes, which will be raffled among all participants:

Click here to get to the survey

The newly added web service for digital signatures supports SmartCards, file-based certificates and time stamps from any Time Stamp Authority (TSA). By using time stamps you are able to meet an important requirement for qualified electronical signatures that are e.g. required for e-invoicing.

Not only the functions of webPDF have been extended, but also its usability and operability. Manage your websites and all your settings directly via the portal or alternatively through the newly designed webPDF.jclient interface - both are now available in German and English.

Just download the latest demo version of webPDF in our download area and try out the new features. Don't wait for the future - help to shape the future with webPDF today!

He agreed to share his experience with us...

<strong>Why New York?</strong>

Almost every year my friends and I don't really know what to do on New Year's Eve. Since we usually still don't know two days before New Year's Eve and I didn't want to stay at home celebrating a "Dinner for One" this year, I made my decision: I'm going to spend New Year's Eve in New York!

As several friends of mine are working or studying in the USA at the moment and New York most definitely is a city that I always wanted to see, this was the ideal occasion.

<strong>What did you imagine New York would be like?</strong>

Tall buildings - big crowds! New York was just as I thought it would be - only much, much colder! Due to the cold breeze coming in from the see and blowing through the street canyons, you can not compare the windchill factor there to our temperature here. Sub-zero temperatures feel a lot more uncomfortable there.

<strong>Which sights did you see in New York?</strong>

I think almost every famous sight you can on a 6-day trip: From the "Top of the Rock Observation Deck" (Rockefeller Center) during a sunny day to the "Empire State Building Observation Deck" at night - two unforgettable views of New York- of course, the "Statue of Liberty", the "Central Park" and the construction site with the sadest background - "Ground Zero".

<strong>Would you like to visit New York again?</strong>

Definitely! Even though I have seen a lot, it still probably was just a fragment of that gigantic city.

<strong>What did you enjoy most in New York?
</strong>
New Year's Eve! To see the skyline of Manhatten from a ferry on the Hudson River - with or without fireworks that is a sight to remember and I can highly recommend it...

Further information about the Lotusphere Comes to You can be found here. (The info is available in German only!)

Preserving proven traditions while embracing innovation - that is the key to the success of our continued good business relationship, for which we would like to thank you.

In the approaching days of peace and contemplation, we wish you and your family the time and the calm to look back at your achievements - for reflection, joy and recreation, to regain strength for the challenges of the upcoming year.

We would be pleased to support you in realizing further projects in 2010 - with our knowledge and dedication - as your satisfaction is our goal.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Your SoftVision team

Our office will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 24th, 2009 through Jan. 3rd, 2010. In urgent cases you can reach us during the holidays by phone under +49 661 25100-13 or per e-mail at info(at)softvision. In the New Year we will be available again during our normal office hours.

As we also like to offer you the opportunity to run webPDF on virtual systems, we have developed <strong>webPDF for VMware®</strong>. Take advantage of the <strong>full function range</strong> of webPDF on your virtual platform. After the simple installation webPDF is <strong>ready for use in only five minutes</strong> - without the need of any configuration.

webPDF for VMware® is based on Linux (Debian) and can be integrated into any existing IT structure without any problems. Try out the various function <strong>without any risk</strong>, thus there is no installation on any existing system.

You can find more information and the download link for webPDF for VMware® as well as for the single VMware products here.

At the SoftVision stand the visitors showed great interest in SoftVision's webshop know-how and the webPDF.Portal.

At first glance the SMB list introduces the winners and nominees of the Innovation Prize IT, as well as 20 more recommendable solutions in each category - from Green IT to WEB 2.0, from E-Commerce to Consumer Electronics. Each of these solutions has been voted by the SMB editors and thus bears the newly created "Top20" logo. Many of these innovations come from the applicants for this year's German IT Innovation Prize, but the editorial department has also discovered many a soft and hardware jewel - such as webPDF. All documented solutions have one thing in common: They help the SMB economy!

For seven years in a row the "Initiative Mittelstand" is a reliable partner and consultant  for SMBs when it comes to finding suitable IT solutions. That is why the SMB list exists. This list is a reliable and perfect navigator through the whole spectrum of IT products and solutions suitable for SMBs. The list is currently released in 34 categories and is administered editorially using relevant soft and hardware, as well as telecommunication solutions.

The webPDF entry in the SMB list can be found here:

http://www.imittelstand.de/mittelstandsliste/webcode/ww1676

Both meetings, which included attached conferences, were held in a very  friendly and familiar atmosphere and were very well-organized. The presentation to SoftVision's products and the interest generated showed that our Notes solutions are still important and sought after. Our exhibition stands also received a lot of interest. We are looking forward to being guests of both User Groups in 2010 and revisiting their events again.

Many interesting impressions and exciting lectures are awaiting you. Further information can be found under  http://www.dannotes.dk/.

The conference venue.

We were there - at the conference of the English Notes User Group - the UKLUG. We took part as an exhibitor. All in all a very well-organized event, which brought us many new European contacts. In this respect, very successful.

We had prizes at our stand, too.

The trip was less successful from the authors personal point of view. "I'd like to have your job, travel around the world and get paid for it!" Any IT professionals out there that are yet to hear this sentence? Sure, it is very comfortable to be constricted in a nutshell called airbus coughing at other people or beeing coughed at by others. It is also very exciting to get to know airports, city limit signs and conference hotels. "Edinburgh is a beautiful city and worth a trip." Errr... yes, may be. Most likely it is, if I have to judge by what I saw through the windows of my taxi or while I was still airborn. But I didn't see more than that. Instead, I experienced the indoor Highlands - the air-conditioning-system was over our stand and I had decided to wear our short sleeve shirts for the event. Now I can find my way around in a Scottish pharmacy and I also know that being stuffed in an airbus is even more annoying when you are sick.

And then someone asks you to write a travel report about this trip for the newsletter. Ok! Travel report? Sure...

Wednesday morning, roadtrip to the Frankfurt Airport. Road works are annoying! Really! And again an extra round because the correct entrance to the car park is not there where you expect it to be. At least the check-in is “Lufthansa” this time. Practical, as you don't have to search them in Terminal 253. Check in my suitcase and head for the gate. I can't stand the crowds in the terminals! There is much more peace and quiet at the gates, therefore I usually go there as fast as possible - after the mandatory security check, of course. Unpack the notebook, take off my jacket and empty my pockets. But first you have to get that far. I don't know why, but as always the people in front of me have to discuss, whether this procedure is required or not. This discussion takes ages. Murphy's Law - my line is always the line that moves slowest, even if it may be the shortest of all the lines. But then I am declared "safe" and have made it. Find a restaurant, sit down, grab a bite to eat. "The smoke thereafter" is history. "Smoke-free airport" - thanks EU, thanks Frankfurt Airport! Duty free? Nope - inner-European flight! Remind me to fly to England (Sorry - Scotland, of course!) via Switzerland or China next time. Get-in-time. We get on the bus. Then we do a scenic tour around the airport for what feels like half an hour at least. Seems that the pilot parked the plane and forgot to jot down the parking spots number on his parking ticket, thus forgetting where he parked the plane. Oh well... I'm sure they'll find one that looks like ours. Finally we're there and... we wait. Someone or something is being loaded and we have to wait another 20 minutes. 20 more minutes of additional social interaction on a slightly overcrowded bus. Fine! Time to get in. It's a 737. Thank you! The "old" aircraft have the rows of seats lined in a way that adults can sit - halfway comfortably. I assume it's just to expensive to have them refurnished according to the "lets see how many people we can squeeze on top of each other" seating standards you find in the "state-of-the-art" aircraft. I'm sure, there'll come the day when they will start fitting folding chairs on the wings - lots of unused space there! Board, fasten seat belt, take-off. The rest of the flight was enjoyably uneventful. The plane was only two thirds full, so there was a free seat between every two passengers. Scotland - baggage collection, foreign exchange (Welcome to the non-eurozone!), find a taxi, drive to the hotel. Check-in and carry the baggage to the room. Eureka! It is 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I take a short rest and call home to say I've made the trip in one piece. Then I decide to play the tourist.

Take a walk around the hotel. A circle with approx. a 4 km radius. Saw the castle, took a picture. Other than that... just taking in impressions. Scots seem to have a different sense of temperature. More Northern European, so it seems. My coat collar is closed all the way and my hands are in my pockets. Yet and still there are plenty of miniskirts around. Brrrr! Ahhh... a Starbucks! Yes, I know - not exactly typically Scottish! But I just had to have a cappuccino, so I did. It is getting dark and I am tired. Back to the hotel, take a look at the exhibition area, unpack and sort the exhibition gear, eat, sleep.

Saw the castle and took a picture.

And that was it for the "tourist part" of my travel report. Two days of exhibition - Thursday and Friday - Friday with a runny nose and constantly increasing body temperature. Hit the bed at closing time. Saturday I can sleep for an hour more, grab breakfast and off I am for my return flight. I could add a little extra philosophy at that point, but I don't want to repeat myself. Driving home from the airport - it doesn't rain, it pours! I arrive home arround 8 o'clock in the evening. Tired, annoyed and still nursing a cold. My wife asks if Edinburgh was a nice place to visit... I have to laugh!

I'll see you soon in a conference hotel near you...

The server is now available for download. You can test the server locally and e. g. integrate it into your own applications. Test the full functional range 30 days for free - the demo version does not have any limitations.

One element of the webPDF installation is the Java client "webPDF.jclient". You can distribute the client to an arbitrary number of workstations. In order to use the web service for conversion, you can either use the Java client or the provided portal site. You can modify the site according to your wishes and customize it to match your corporate design.

By using OpenOffice.org we are able to offer you webPDF at a particularly favourable price. Just have a look at our webPDF pricelist.

Further information about webPDF