Product category:
Data, bibliographic and document management software
News Release from: Oasys | Subject: Columbus Professional
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 28 November 2003
Upgrade for CAD document management
system
Columbus Professional is a new upgraded version of the world's most popular document management system.
Columbus Professional is a new upgraded version of the world's most popular document management system The original Columbus can still be downloaded free of charge from the Oasys website, where users can upgrade to the new version for just GBP 13.00
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 10 Sep 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Budget pricing for enhanced management package
Building on the success of its Columbus document management system, Oasys has launched a "professional" version, providing a host of improved features.
Free document management system fills the gap
AutoCAD and MicroStation users who have been left stranded through the collapse of Motiva have a potential lifeline in the form of a free document management system from the UK called Columbus.
New release of free document management system
Oasys, the software house of consulting engineers and designers Arup, is pleased to announce the 2.4a release of their free document management system Columbus.
Although originally developed for the construction industry, over 25,000 companies in 174 countries have registered Columbus, making it the world's most popular document management system.
Furthermore, the software attracts 40 new companies every day.
Columbus is a combined navigator and viewer that allows metadata (information about documents that can be read and understood by all handling applications) to be exchanged in a neutral format.
Both the Stellent and the Rasterex viewing engines are incorporated into the software, which can view over 300 different file formats.
In contrast to most document management systems, which store details about a document in a database, Columbus works directly with the file system, extracting desired information straight from any accessible folders and gathering it all under one heading, even if files are spread across several servers and are accessed by different programs.
The viewing and storage features provide increased productivity and better project management and, as a result, Columbus appeals to a wide user base including commerce, government, education and law.
Columbus Professional adds a host of new features, including support for OfficeXP, AutoCAD 2004 and MicroStation V8.
There is also a remote deployment tool to simplify installation and a scanning module providing output in PDF or multiple-page TIFF.
Columbus embraces existing folder security, allowing users to control documents through familiar and reliable methods.
It also offers a "redline" facility to allow users to digitally mark up many documents.
Its look and feel is similar to Microsoft Windows Explorer, making it intuitive to use and reducing any resistance to change.
"Columbus has been hugely popular and continues to expand its user base at an impressive rate", said Alec Milton, Director of Oasys.
"However, as a free product, its development was governed by fixed funds.
By providing the, charged for, professional version we can fund a much more capable tool which develops at a higher pace".
• Oasys: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
