What PDF Approval System?

[Kristian]

What, in your opinions, is the best online PDF Approval system out there. We need to get away from just emailing PDF's to customers as it bogs down our email server and is also difficult to manage approvals etc.

We have looked at WebWay, and WebCenter (We use ArtPro and Nexus). ALthough they are very good, they are too advanced for what we want and will just confuse our customers. Although I think its great that you can view separations etc our customers don't have a clue what they are looking at and dont want any of these options confusing them.

We want a simple system where users can simply login, view their PDF's, add comments and then either approve or reject. Thats it.

Any help is appreciated.

Kristian

[Tech]

We want a simple system where users can simply login, view their PDF's, add comments and then either approve or reject. Thats it.

Acrobat Pro's own tracker does a all of above you listed above on tracking and managing files/forms. I believe you can setup a separate server or web-based to make this work without going through email server.

[Kristian]

I have looked at that in the past, but not thoroughly.

Will customers need to have the full version of acrobat or can they now make comments using Reader?

[jake1010]

I recently started at my current company and one of the first things implemented early on was a PDF proofing system where we send links to the customer that lead them to a proof server. It really takes the strain off the email system. Our IT is talking about creating a database to control this system, but I am interested to hear what other people are doing as well.

[Purple Cat]

What, in your opinions, is the best online PDF Approval system out there. We need to get away from just emailing PDF's to customers as it bogs down our email server and is also difficult to manage approvals etc.

Kristian, have you looked into Remote Director from ICS Color? You'll find more information on their website.

Regards,
David.

[UncleSam]

I think WebWay is most easiest way for you because you can automate it with your Nexus workflow. Other solutions like Kodak InSite is much more expensive and more complex, and the Remote Director will have every click charge.

[Tech]

I have looked at that in the past, but not thoroughly.

Will customers need to have the full version of acrobat or can they now make comments using Reader?

Your clients only need Reader to add comments, but you will need to save your PDFs with "Enable for Commenting" under Comments menu.

You can easily test this by setting up an internal server > saved your PDF with Enable for Commenting > Go to Comments menu > Track Reviews and just follow screen instructions. If you can't setup your own dedicated server, I believe Adobe also provides an online server service for this purpose.

If you have yourself setup as Admin, on a close server system, you can actually get updated PDF feedback fairly fast. Email tracking is slow and you'll need to combine updated comments etc. Server method is the way to go. What I like about this Adobe solution is that you already paid for it! And as your clients knows how to use commenting feature in Readers, there will be minimal training for them if any at all.

[T]

They can add comments in Reader, but the PDF is converted to process and hard to see an exact representation of what is printed. We use InSite from Kodak. Also, looking at purchasing DALiM diaLOGUE.

[Kristian]

Thanks for all the advice. Guess I've still got some research to do as there is no stand out winner.

[david]

You should check out our TaskForce Lite. For only $3500 you get online job submission with job ticketing, automated production based on the job tickets, Ripping, Trapping, PDFX export for both production and softproofing, AND Online Soft Proofing with automated email notices, support for Acrobat annotations, and more.

David Lewis
Lucid Dream Software.