ADEST is available as a stand-alone or a network product version for a department-wide installation. It has client-server type architecture, for smaller applications ADEST uses SQL to communicate directly with the database server, on larger applications ADEST uses the power of ODBC to access databases such as SQL and ORACLE. Images are stored in files outside the database server. Application information, such as, the image indexes that help users find images and the image locators which point to the physical image files, are stored inside the database server.

The primary development platform is Visual Basic, probably the fastest growing development environment worldwide. One reason for the high growth in Visual Basic usage is the Visual Basic Extension (VBX) architecture. More recently the introduction of Active X controls and Visual Basic 5 allows even greater functionality, such as optimizing native code compilation, accelerated form rendering, and enhanced database access which allow developers to create fast, high-performance applications and components.

All the data associated with the application and all the information used to keep track of images is stored in the database server. The application stores no data of its own. Storing image and application data in this manner gives you three advantages:

• Database power: The imaging application gets access to all the features of the database server. Depending on the database, this can include handling millions of records and many users, auditing all database activity, ensuring data integrity through transaction roll back or building sophisticated relationships between various types of information.
  
  
• Direct access to data: Users can optionally purchase, from a third party all the databases tools, such as Access, report writer, query engine, 4GL and other utilities. With those tools, you can get directly at the data without going through your imaging system. This gives you information about how your application is used how often images are viewed, who's using them, etc. as well as ways to solve database problems.
  
  
• Database independence: Since the application and the database communicate via common SQL or ODBC. It is possible to move applications from one database type to another.
  
  

Adest offers a standard component architecture, with a common look and feel and a common development and integration platform environment. Component-based systems are set to dominate the future of imaging. They will open up a massive array of technologies for use in vertical development, which is all important to business process applications.

Adest runs on any windows compliant platform. Windows 3, Windows 3.11, Windows 95, Windows NT, Novell.

Document Image Processing

Adest Document Image Processing and Database provides the core functionality for Adest. It has all the scanning, processing, indexing, retrieval, recognition, printing, and image display functions. It has advanced display and manipulation of images (black & white, greyscale and colour).

Adest provides support for over two hundred different SCSI based scanners and premium drivers for Kofax, Xionics, Dunord, Fujitsu, Kodak, Ricoh, Bell & Howell are available. Adest supports all Windows displays as well as high end Cornerstone and Sigma Designs monitors.

Version 3.1 has a significant number of new features, making it more powerful and easier to use. We now provide support for multi-page image files for storing document pages together, and built-in image caching for enhanced performance.

The Annotation Feature allows you to add text and simple graphics to your image files, either as optional overlays or merged into the image data. If added as an overlay, the image may be displayed and printed with or without the annotation.

In response to many customer requests, Adest 3.1 supports 24 bit colour image display and save with a premium Colour Feature. This control recognises many different file types including JPG, TIFF, PCX, and GlF and gives you the option of converting between file types. Should you need to convert an image from colour to greyscale or bitonal, simply set three output property values and save the file - the conversion is automatically made during the save.

ADEST now includes an OCR engine that embeds the powerful OCR technology of Xerox Textbridge.

Adest COOL (Computer Output On-Line) Module

Adest COOL or COLD (Computer Output to Laser Disk) is an electronic storage and retrieval system for volume applications, which provides the import of print or electronic files from other computers, such as mini or mainframe systems. It permits the regular transfer of routine information from host systems to CD, Magneto Optical or Magnetic disks. It is designed to replace current storage methodologies wherein computer output is printed to paper and stored or converted to microfilm or microfiche.

It can operate on a standalone PC or over a network and its major features include:

• Automated operation for off-peak processing
• Automatic Indexing
• Automatic Linking to related documents
• Data integrity checks

• Fast Search capabilities by Master Index Database Query, Page Level, Detailed Index
• Viewing in ASCII or Stationery Overlay Format
• Viewing by single record or groups of records
• Print, Fax or Export facilities
• Integration with Imaging

• Simple Integration with Document management systems
• Security Features controlling access & authorisations
• System Audit Trail
• Scaleability

• Significant efficiencies may be gained by having instantaneous access to documents, reports and other information to view on screen, print or fax in support of internal services or customer related services. Substantial cost savings may be achieved through the elimination of the need to produce paper records, to store paper records or to pay microfilm/microfiche bureau costs.

The Adest Bar Code option incorporates the VisionShape bar code reading library, which is the premier library for recognition of bar codes. It recognizes five different types of bar code and has a powerful Autosearch capability.

The Autosearch function searches the image data passed to the engine for any bar code present and recognises it regardless of its position on the page or its orientation. In shipping environments, skewed presentation of bar codes is often a major problem, but VisionShape easily overcomes that hurdle.

This Component Module incorporates the Fierens custom control and provides full text indexing and retrieval to accurately locate unstructured text within a document collection. It is capable of searching a 1GB document collection in just 15 seconds, returning complete paths to all files meeting the search parameters, number of hits, column and line position of the texts, and much more.

This module for the ADEST system allows users search for and view documents form the ADEST document store via their Internet browser. Works for Intranet and Internet. Uses industry leading web server and does not require any changes to the ADEST system.

Docwiz is a powerful database creation utility which allows users to create or modify ADEST databases. This utility allows users to assign security, create and define field types, create and define drop downs and menus, assign access rights and setup the powerful autoindex feature.

Adests archive module allows archiving (move) or backup (copy) of the Adest database and document store to Hard Disk, CD, DVD, TAPE and ZIP DRIVE. Users can select from a range of Archive/Backup options such as Archive or Backup criteria based, Archive or Backup entire database, Archive or Backup by storage size (useful for optimizing storage i.e.: filling CDs or Tape Drives). This utility can also be used in conjunction with the Adest Adlight module to provide a selection of Adest documents in a self-contained system including viewer on CD. The system uses the backup media’s own software and so is compatible with any manufacturers products.

This utility allows for a simple backup procedure of the Adest document store. Users simply select a size in Mb of backup to perform. The backup utility copies the information both database and images to the backup media. Space is then recovered by selecting the ‘delete backed up images’ option. The backup utility checks the backup media to ensure the images are successfully backed up before deletion.

Adlight is a fully ADEST compatible viewer and search utility primarily used with the ADEST system. Can be used in conjunction with the Archive/Backup utility to make self-contained ADEST systems on CD for distribution. Supports viewing of text, images and full OLE support for Word, Excel etc. Adlght can also be integrated into other applications where another software manufacturer can provide the front end and ADEST/Adlight can act as an image server and viewer. Uses all the best of breed components used in the industry leading ADEST product.

A batch utility, which deskews, despeckles and registers images before indexing. Particularly important where OCR or other image recognition process is being used. Uses industry leading TMS Sequoia advanced image-processing tools

This utility imports information from other software applications such as accounts packages into ADEST. This information is then used for ADEST’s advanced auto index feature for speeding up the indexing process.