Interoperability
Since e-mail distribution is a critical feature of this software we attempted to set up a mail out and immediately came across a problem. We use an IMAP e-mail system at our office and PDF-eXPLODE only supports SMTP/POP systems at present. Support for Web mail is planned for later versions of this software.
It is no surprise that this application works with big names like Microsoft Word and Crystal Reports, but how well does it work with an up and coming product like OpenOffice? We tried "exploding" a test document from MS Word, MS Excel and OpenOffice Writer. Output from both word processors was reliable, but we did experience trouble with Excel. Data was placed well beyond the edges of the page when "printed" from Excel via PDF-eXPLODE. Further investigation revealed that OpenOffice Calc was also unable to export successfully. Spreadsheets are not by nature page based documents and so these failures are perhaps not surprising.
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| [Click to enlarge] Comparing output quality |
Output Quality
Quality of PDF output was assessed by comparing a test document printed direct from a word processor (OpenOffice Writer) with output printed from Adobe Acrobat Reader after being exported from the word processor via PDF-eXPLODE and finally a document converted to PDF by OpenOffice and then printed via Adobe Acrobat. The test document contains a variety of fonts and text formatting as well as images and a complex table. Text and formatting are well handled by PDF-eXPLODE, but image quality is grossly reduced as can be seen below -- these screen shots show a part of the test document; the difference was accurately reflected in the hardcopy. We did not note any variation in text or formatting in the final hardcopies of these three document versions (text quality in the far-left sample merely illustrates lack of anti-aliasing by OpenOffice and is not indicative of the hardcopy).
Naturally our response was to look for settings controlling PDF output quality. Unlike Adobe Acrobat which allows the user to change more characteristics than one could poke a stick at, PDF-eXPLODE appears to have no way of adjusting image quality or any other document characteristics.
If image quality is not a serious concern then PDF creation with this product can be considered accurate, reliable and easy.
Verdict
Where picture quality is paramount, the output of PDF-eXPLODE would be unacceptable. However, for standard invoices and reports requiring efficient delivery, this product could be a lifesaver. PDF-eXPLODE can be a bit touchy on occasion, but once your document templates are set up properly it should be plain sailing. We were pleased by the quick responses of 3000AD to our e-mail queries and hope this efficiency extends to all customers. Additionally, FAQs are available online. Costing about the same as 1000 postage stamps, the time and money laid out to get this product into service might well be justified by a single large mail-out.
| Product | PDF-eXPLODE |
|---|---|
| Price | US$349 |
| Vendor | 3000AD Systems |
| Contact | support@3000ad.com.au |
| Interoperability |  |
|---|---|
| Compatible with most text/page based Windows applications; does not support IMAP e-mail, Mac OS or Linux. | |
| Futureproofing |  |
| Standard communications should operate with new products as purchased. | |
| ROI |  |
| Value will depend on volume of e-mails, costs should be recouped rapidly. | |
| Service | |
| E-mail support and online help. | |
| Rating | |
Enex TestLab is one of Australia's most experienced, independent technology test facilities. After more than 16 years with RMIT IT TestLab, Enex's founders acquired the business from RMIT in 2005.
6%
1%
I have to dispute some of the negatives shown in the report for the following reason:
1. The Graphic quality (dpi) and the various font settings are ALL configurable within a 'PDFeXPLODE.Properties' text file located in the PDF-eXPLODE application folder. This is not openly disclosed to Users nor included in the Help as the majority of existing Users obtain satisfactory results. Changes to this file are not for the novice. 3000AD Systems provides FREE support to Evaluaters and Licensed Users alike and an email to support@3000ad.com.au would generally receive a response within 24 hours. The reporter did not seek at any time to ask any questions of 3000AD Systems despite offers of assistance. The simplest options come intentionally standard making the product easy to implement.
2. After surveying many Users if was determined that the vast majority use SMTP (for outgoing mail) . A minority would use IMAP or Lotus Domino Server - which requires some special (and mostly complicated) configuration to work.
3. Currently Web - based mail like Yahoo/Netscape do work with PDF-eXPLODE and the FAQs on www.pdf-explode.net provide details on how to configure these SMTP servers
4. Before and After Sales Service /Support is provided free and is rated by many of the Users as very good. Kathi Kellenberger a reporter on www.sqlservercentral.com had this to say : "I sent an e-mail message to the support address and received a reply back within two hours. It was a holiday weekend, so I was pleasantly surprised to receive the reply so quickly. I continued to work with support over several days trying to figure out the Reporting Services problem. Even though I was just evaluating the product, and they did not know that I was working on this article, they went out of their way to help me. I was impressed."
5. The issue the reporter mentions about folder (../PDFs/) case sensitivity has never been reported previously by any other Users and there are quite a few at this time.
I believe that lack of complete information (or the desire to obtain the facts) on the part of the reviewer led to these small negatives when compared to overall positive tone of the article
Thank you
Mark Fonseca
Developer & Publisher - PDF-eXPLODE