Product category:
File conversion software, data capture and plotting
News Release from: Sepialine | Subject: Argos for Windows
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 05 February 2001
Print tracking software makes it all so
easy
According to Sepialine, with Argos for Windows, it's easier than ever to quantify your office's media expenses, and start turning those expensive plots into revenue
It's no secret that most design professionals and print fulfillment/FM providers are looking for a solid cost recovery platform to recoup media and output expenses So why is a good one so hard to find? What do these industries want out of their cost recovery system? A wish list for features might include: flexibility, virtual transparency in each office's operation - both in terms of workflow and cost-of-ownership, a high degree of accuracy and dependability, a robust architecture built of standardized components, an easy and friendly user experience, full integration with existing software packages, simple application roll-outs, and synchronized internet enabled data transfers between remote offices
If all of this seems impossible, it's not.
One company, Sepialine, is successfully answering those demands with its breakthrough product: Argos for Windows.
"The challenge in designing print tracking software lies in the four audiences who interact with the product - four audiences whose needs conflict: end users are less than enthusiastic about cost recovery software - it's viewed as an impediment to their jobs, system administrators desire an integrated, centralized and secure environment where they can enforce corporate policy, accountants and bookkeepers need flexible reporting and access to data, FM Providers want access to data relevant only to the services they provide.
They require assurance that the data is accurate and secure - it translates directly into service fees," states Jeremy Evans, Product Manager - Argos for Windows.
"Many products miss the mark in dealing with one or more of these audiences.
We created Argos for Windows to take each into account and address their unique needs." Argos for Windows is designed to track at the OS level, not by application as other tracking packages do.
This application independence eliminates the need to upgrade with every software revision and assures unprecedented accuracy.
Argos uses a "message" metaphor - similar to Microsoft Outlook - placing an icon in the system tray to notify users when a print job is ready to be "billed".
The subtlety of the icon allows the user to deal with billing when it's convenient.
However, to ensure that users address the unbilled print jobs in a timely manner, the System Administrator can set a quota - a limit to the number of print jobs a user can complete before they must assign billing information.
Argos Manager adopts an Outlook-like user interface, making it easy for Administrators to navigate through the product.
It also has security features that integrate with Windows NT, eliminating the need for separate credentials.
Argos automatically discovers print devices on the Windows network.
The Argos Printer Property Page shell extension seamlessly integrates into Windows.
Scheduled for release in February, the much-anticipated Argos for Windows - the next generation in the Argos family of cost recovery software, was put into Wide Release Beta this week.
Upon initial review by the Beta participants, Argos for Windows is quickly proving to be a defining member of the emerging cost recovery industry.
Sepialine's commitment to leave the desktop user unencumbered by tracking protocol is consistent throughout the product.
They offer free trial downloads of their products at www.sepialine.com.
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