Adobe Systems Inc. announced the latest version of Acrobat. Acrobat 4.0 adds a new set of annotation and security tools for transforming and conveying documents written in different formats. The new Adobe PDFMaker utility also lets users convert Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files from within those applications. Acrobat 4.0 captures Web pages or entire Web sites and turns them into fully formatted PDF files. The application also can secure files through a certificate system that validates users’ identities. 4.0 will ship in the second half of the year, at $249. Users can upgrade from earlier versions for $99. www.adobe.com
Day: February 15, 1999
Inso Corporation today announced the formation of a new Product Data Management (PDM) Division. Headquartered in Milpitas, California, Inso’s new PDM Division was created after the company’s recent acquisition of Sherpa Systems Corporation, the developers of SherpaWorks. Paul R. Anderson, formerly vice president of corporate development at Inso, has been named vice president and general manager of the new PDM Division. As vice president and general manager, Mr. Anderson will oversee the continued development of the SherpaWorks product line and other PDM solutions, as well as the integration of Sherpa technology into Inso’s Enterprise Information Platform. Prior to joining Inso, Mr. Anderson held various senior management positions at Adobe Systems Incorporated. Stephen Baunach, Sherpa’s former chief technology officer, assumes the role of vice president and chief technology officer for the PDM Division. In this role, Mr. Baunach will continue to manage PDM product development, aid in extending Inso’s expertise in managing and publishing product-related information and lead the evolution of Inso’s PDM strategy. Inso has also appointed Stephen Schreifer as the vice president of worldwide sales for PDM products. Prior to joining Inso, Mr. Schreifer held senior sales positions at SDRC. www.inso.com
Entrust Technologies Inc., supplier of managed public-key infrastructure (PKI) solutions, has partnered with Doumentum, Inc., to authenticate web access and to deliver integration of digital signatures using X.509 certificates into Doucumentum’s EDMS 98. This integration provides security to the pharmaceutical industry and other process manufacturing companies for the management of documents, policies and procedures. The two companies also plan to work together to integrate Entrust/PKI features with industry-specific applications built upon Documentum’s EDMS ’98.The joint solution leverages Doucumentum’s EDMS and Entrust public-key infrastructure technology to solve some of the business problems facing process manufacturing: streamlining document approvals, managing records and reports for good manufacturing practice compliance, and improving the exchange of information between departments and organizations. This solution ensures that only those who are authorized to see and change the files are allowed access to the document. www.documentum.com, www.entrust.com
Forte Software, Inc., announced the formation of an Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) Business Unit to accelerate business opportunities and provide focused expertise to the integration market. The company also announced the promotion of Jonathan McKay as vice president of the EAI Business Unit.The formation of the EAI Business Unit will encompass Forte’s comprehensive integration line, which includes business process integration, technology adapters, open middleware, and application deployment, as well as the Forte Adapter Series, which are Forte’s XML-based application package adapters. The company recently announced Adapters for SAP R/2 and R/3, as well as Vantive Enterprise with additional Adapters planned later in the year. www.forte.com
