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Scan to iPad, iPhone, (iOS), Android, Windows Phone 7, Blackberry and virtually any mobile platform

We get a lot of questions about mobile devices. People want to see their scanned documents on their mobile devices.

Tablets are taking centre stage now with the impressive and explosive growth of the iPad, the groundbreaking Ice Cream Sandwich from Android, and the newly demonstrated Windows 8 platform (more on that shortly).

Mobile phones are transforming into smart phone devices, screens are getting larger and capabilities are increasing.

So how can we help with that?

Three of our connectors already allow you to scan to mobile devices. We use the Dropbox connector frequently to view our scanned documents on the iPad thanks to the Dropbox iOS app. Box.Net provides a similar experience as does Google Docs from any web browser.

The technology exists now. Using these incredible technologies you can scan to any of these platforms with our connectors and get access to your important documents on the go. We can even implement technologies these in your existing connectors.

#sharescan #ios #ipad #iphone #ecopy #nuance #android #windows phone #wp7 #blackberry #mobile

Is Google Docs about to evolve into Google Drive?

We've never been prouder of our Google Docs connector for eCopy Sharescan. This week we're adding touches to a closed beta with some great new features and is being tested right now by several key clients in the UK.

But we also like to keep our finger on the pulse and look to where great products like Google Docs are headed next. For some time now it has been rumoured that Google are preparing something of a competitor to Dropbox and Box by equipping Google Docs with a fully syncing client that can be installed on your computer.

Think of the prospects of such a service. Suddenly you have combined Dropbox, Box and Google Docs all at the same time.

The Wall Street Journal today tells us more:

The Google service, which is expected to launch in the coming weeks or months, will be free for most consumers and businesses. Google will charge a fee to those who want to store a large amount of files, the people familiar with the matter said.

Personally we couldn't be more excited, and while we certainly won't be asking for a refund on our Dropbox for Teams service we will certainly be looking to Google to raise the stakes in a market that is currently dominated by both Box and Dropbox.

We are already making preparations with our Google Docs connector for eCopy Sharescan should Google launch the Google Drive service this year. Make sure you download and try it out for yourself.

New Release: Version 5.1.0.6 of the Google Docs Connector for eCopy Sharescan 5 (it's a big one!)

We're rolling out the big Google Docs update for this year!

Featuring a stack of new features, the Google Docs Connector for eCopy Sharescan 5 opens up the cloud document and storage platform for complete access from your Multifunctional Device.

First we are pleased to reveal that this connector has been brought up to date with the other releases in the Connector Works family. All the features you've come to expect including Session Login and the other authentication methods revealed with the release of the Dropbox Premium connector are available in this build.

So your users can now tie their Windows Active Directory account to their Google Docs account for quick and easy authentication. All the other methods are in there too, not forgetting the incredibly useful "Domain Locking" feature.

Let's look at the other new features in detail:

Upload any file type (and convert)

With the previous version of the connector you could only upload PDF files. We did this because at the time support from Google was a little ropey for other file formats. Now we've opened the flood gates and allowed any supported Sharescan format to be uploaded into Google Docs!

The great thing about this is that you can choose from the connector (while scanning) whether or not to convert this document to the Google Docs format so you can continue editing the scanned document from the browser.

Check the convert box and we'll send the scanned document off to Google Docs to be converted into the Google format for editing online!

We'll admit right now that the service Google provides is not perfect and we recommend really playing around with this new feature to find out what works best for you. All we can say is that we've given you the tools to do the job within the bounds that Google permits within their services. So you will notice there are restrictions in the size of documents you can upload, and different rules in place when you choose to convert them. We can only imagine that Google will alter the rules as the service evolves.

For more information on size restrictions that Google impose please see this help article on Google Docs.

So that's the first incredible new feature - the user is now in control of what can be uploaded and how.

Create a collection

Google changed the name for this during development. Thanks Google. (It will probably change again too!)

So in Google Docs you've got a stack of "collections" (folders to you and me) containing all your important documents, drawings, files and so on. You've probably got one for personal items, one for letters and maybe one for your finances. But when you're uploading a new scanned document you may stand there and realise you could do with putting it in a new collection. Well now you can create and scan to that new collection from the MFD!

It's all about making the experience easier and quicker for you.

Space remaining

We've added a useful bit of text to the destination form. You can now see how much space you have remaining in your Google Account!

Bug fixes and wishes

Everything that was raised as a bug or a wish has been fixed for this release. Including:

Some installation issues some people had with Windows 7.

Allowing a pre-scan form option to be enabled if printing is selected. This way you can skip the scanning process and go straight to printing.

Code refresh and update to the latest Google Documents List API

We are very proud of this release and will continue to support and add new features to the Google Docs Connector for eCopy Sharescan just as we do for all our connectors. We're also very aware of recent talk about Google's rumoured move to make Google Documents a fully fledged Dropbox-esque product featuring syncing between devices including the popular Android platform and evolving Google Docs into an online "Drive". Stay tuned.

If you have any feedback, bugs, wishes and features requests then please do let us know. You can log these using our help system here at Idea Informer or you can just email us at [email protected].

Enjoy and download from here!

New Release: Version 5.0.0.3 of the Box Connector for eCopy Sharescan 5

Much like yesterday's release we've updated the Box.Net Connector for Nuance eCopy Sharescan 5.

We've updated it to include the authentication changes so you can now use all the features we mentioned yesterday. Single Sign On / Session Logon, "Login As" and Standard Sign In can be used from the Box Connector.

It's all about making the experience simpler and easier for you.

Download and try the Box connector today. Free for 45 days.

New Release: Version 5.0.0.3 of the Dropbox Premium Connector for eCopy Sharescan 5

We've just released a new version of the Dropbox Premium Connector for Nuance eCopy Sharescan 5.

In this version we've focussed on Authentication and the various types of sign in options you can have for the Dropbox connector.

Let's look at this in more detail, there are now three types of sign in supported in the Dropbox connector:

Standard sign in on device

"Login As"

Single Sign On (Also known as Session Logon)

Standard Sign In

You're already used to doing this using the regular sign in on the device. This is where you type in your username for Dropbox along with your password and sign in every time.

"Login As"

We've changed this slightly from the previous version. You can now specify a user in the Sharescan Administration panel that you want every user to sign in as on the device. There will be no prompt on the eCopy enabled device for a username and password and the user simply goes straight to the Destination screen where they can choose their logo. Great for team users of Dropbox.

Single Sign On / Session Logon

This one is for the organisations that use the built in "Session Logon" service available in the Sharescan Administration panel.

Once you have enabled eCopy Session Logon the connector automatically becomes aware of this service and responds accordingly. Log in at the device using your session credentials on the eCopy device you can choose the Dropbox Premium connector as usual and scan your document. You will notice the log in screen now has a checkbox which, when checked will associate the Dropbox account you log in with this time against the session log in you are using.

For example

I sign in to my domain "CONNECTORWORKS" with the Windows Active Directory user "ianrathbone"

Select the Dropbox Premium connector

Choose "Associate with account: ianrathbone"

This means that the next time I log in using the Windows Active Directory account I use for the eCopy Session Logon "ianrathbone" then I will not be required to enter my Dropbox account details again. That screen is skipped and I go straight to my Dropbox account. One screen skipped, time saved.

But what if I don't want to associate my Dropbox account with this Session Logon anymore?

Simple, I can just remove the association in the Sharescan Administration section.

It's all about making the experience simpler and easier for you.

Download and try the Dropbox Premium connector today. Free for 45 days.

Upgrading eCopy Sharescan 4 Connectors to Version 5 Connectors

With the news of Canon ending support for eCopy Sharescan 4 at the end of the year and other Multifunctional Device manufacturers doing the same thing it's time to look at upgrading your eCopy Sharescan 4 Connector.

Our development services provide just this.

So far we have moved numerous Version 4 connectors over to the Sharescan v5 system. From our history working with Version 4 and moving to Version 5 has been great. All features remain intact and you get a few more thrown in for free thanks to Nuance.

Our knowledge covers not just the code. We know how to get the most out of the many features offered by Nuance that others just don't know about, thanks to our close relationship with Nuance and our history developing connectors for both versions.

Our global partnerships also provide unique opportunities for new markets.

Check out some of our connectors today with Nuance eCopy Sharescan Version 5 and you'll see the difference.

New Release: Open GI Connector for eCopy™ ShareScan®

We are proud to announce the immediate availability of the Open GI Connector for eCopy™ ShareScan®.

Open GI is one of the leading broker solutions developers on the market, providing front and back office software specifically for commercial, personal, niche and composite lines.

With our connector integration you can quickly and easily scan to the Open Attach folder structure within Open GI from any eCopy Sharescan enabled Multifunctional Device.

Thanks to our FolderSmart technology we can update the Client and Policy fields instantly with live results as you type.

For example if your Policy folder already exists and is called AAAA12 as in the screenshot above, once you have entered AAAA this folder amongst any others within the AAAA folder will be displayed. Enter AAAA1 and the list is quickly shortened to narrow down your results.

Client or Policy doesn't yet exist? No problem. We create the structure on the fly for you so you can get back to your important work.

This really is a no fuss configuration. All your system administrator need do is ensure that access is enabled to the Open Attach root folder and enter the location of this folder in the Sharescan administration panel.

Why not download the connector today? It's free for 45 days. Check out more information here:

http://www.connectorworks.com/connectors/opengi.html

Got any questions? Email Ian Rathbone now at [email protected]

While we are certainly moving in the right direction in the world, Korea believes in four years they can become truly paperless.

This is a notion that Connector Works dreams of! Promoting the "less paper" office by creating the easiest to use MFD interfaces, we applaud the use of smart phones, televisions and tablets to view documents that are intended to be used in place of paper in the classroom.

It's about time our own UK government backed such a brave move for our own classrooms, encouraging the use of banned devices in school such as smart phones. Teachers can use technology such as Connector Works own Google Docs or Serengeti connector to quickly scan their notes and teaching materials for viewing on devices such as tablets and computers later.

Connector Works raises money for the British Heart Foundation

Connector Works CEO Ian Rathbone completed a walk this weekend for the British Heart Foundation and Christchurch Round Table.

The Christchurch Head2Head walk takes place every year around the Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch and Mudeford bay in Dorset.

"It was a fantastic way to spend a few hours on a Saturday morning while helping raise money for a good cause" said Ian after completing the 6.5 mile walk and collecting his well earned medal!

So far Ian has raised £100 for the British Heart Foundation, if you would like to make a donation please check out his page on just giving: http://original.justgiving.com/wratty

Connector Works at the Serengeti User Group

Connector Works are pleased to announce they are providing a sneak review of the eCopy Connector for eCopy Sharescan today at the Serengeti User Group at the Stansted Airport Hilton.

The sneak preview will include an overview of the connector and how to configure and take advantage of the many options available. Also a walk through of the connector will be provided along with a Q&A and information for existing v4 customers.

More information on connector and our exclusive partnership with Serengeti will be on the main site this July.

Connector Works feature in Nuance's eCopy Insider

This week we've seen a massive spike in downloads for the Google Docs connector and we owe a massive thanks to Nuance for this.

The eCopy Insider goes out to thousands of partners who will no doubt be interested in the latest and greatest connector to grace the Sharescan platform. This week the Connector Works Google Docs connector takes the spotlight. Check it out by clicking here!

With the world gleefully moving toward agile computing, the business market has demonstrated the need for documents on the move. Take the highly successful launch of the iPad 2 for example.

There are many emails we receive now that contain "sent from my iPad" (or iPhone) and these users need their important documents on the go. For viewing and for collaboration.

Thanks to the plethora of free apps that handle documents easily you can use eCopy Sharescan to get your paper copies transferred to digital versions. For this you need the cloud and we recommend Google Docs.

Google Docs can be accessed from any web browser and the guys at Google have created fantastic web apps that can be viewed straight from the iPad and iPhone browsers. Or there are many third party apps available for smartphones.

So it's simple and quick to scan from eCopy Sharescan and view your documents on the go. You don't even need to go back to your desktop pc to perform any extra steps.

Your original paper documents in the cloud quickly and securely.

Why use an eCopy connector specialist like Connector Works instead of developing a connector in-house?

It's a question you may find yourself asking when contemplating having a connector developed. Why bother getting Connector Works to develop the connector when we can get the SDK from eCopy and get it developed ourselves internally?

Well the answers are quite simple and we are specialists for a reason!

We know everything there is to know about eCopy Sharescan V4 and V5. We've put the hard hours in to discovering all the hidden features, undocumented quirks and found every pitfall there is to find. We know this beast inside out and know how to develop quickly and carefully for it.

Everything that isn't in the SDK and is not supported in order to get a fully functioning connector to your customer. Take a step back and think about what you'll need to do to get your finished connector to the customer. Deployment and support. We have created a streamlined installation architecture that supports all target platforms. It's not as simple as writing an iOS app, you've got to figure out where it installs on different Windows platforms.

Design. The forms designer in V5 is a delight to use when compared with V4. One of the benefits of the designer is that you can write one form and it will be deployed on all target platforms on all resolutions. Be it Ricoh, HP, Scanstation, Canon or others. The issue with this is that it's not perfect and you need to know how to tweak it for each install. Also you'll probably find you have made a connector with around 5 screens when you could have done it in 2.

Licensing. You'll need to protect your connector as with any software. However there are a few levels to this kind of software. How do you prevent any of your customers from using your connector across their entire suite of MFDs? It's a pretty big issue that will cost sales. A client can tell you they have 2 MFDs and you sell them 2 licenses. A couple of weeks later they realise that it works on the other 2 machines they have in another building.

Experienced support. Knowledge in and around the sharescan software and the machines they are installed on. Got a difficult question from the client, you'll need to know where to look and how to solve the problem. Sometimes the built in eCopy tracing routine doesn't give you enough information.

Long standing relationship with Nuance and MFD manufacturers. Knowing the individuals who create and maintain the software and devices that run it help you to find out their unknown features.

So yes we are leading to the obvious. We've got all the above covered and these are the reasons we're in this industry and we like to call ourselves specialists. Save yourself precious time and money and invest in a partnership with Connector works. We don't bite and we want what is right for you and your client base.

Demonstrating the Google Docs Connector!

The Legal IT Show 2011

While Connector Works will not be attending the Legal IT Show in London this year we do have a strong presence across several stands.

Look out for stands with eCopy running and you may see our Google Docs Connector installed any ready for you to have a play with!

Canotec are exhibiting at stand 53 on both days and they will be showing our Google Docs connector. Ask Jason for a demo and try pushing your scanned documents directly to your Google Docs account.

Enjoy the show!

The Incubation Feature

Incubation is the term we have used for what is in effect a "lockdown" situation within Connector Works.

We wanted to lock ourselves away for three days when we knew we could, and just see what we could achieve and learn.

We picked a target platform, (in this case it was Dropbox) and we decided to write a connector for it in three days. The aim: to see if we could do it, to see what we could learn and to see how we can improve what we do.

Learning was the most crucial part. This was why we picked what is a fairly easy connector to write. We wanted to see how we can improve our processes at Connector Works and we wanted to see how we can improve our code.

Incubation Prelude

Incubation Day One

Incubation Day Two

Incubation Day Three

Enjoy!

Incubation Day Three

Apologies for the delay in publishing this post. The final post was actually sitting in our draft queue and we hadn't published it! It's a fair cop!

The final day!

Today we worked briefly on checking over the previous two days code to make sure we were happy with code and that everything was working comfortably before moving on.

First was the task of merging in licensing code and making the correct calls to our API for licensing. This didn't take too long as the complex code is already written. A few changes later and we had a fully integrated license solution.

Next on the run up to lunch we moved across our print beta code. During this we came up with several improvements and updates to the code so we made a few notes about this. Not the sort of stuff we wanted to start coding during this incubation session. But something we should consider giving an incubation session of it's own!

After lunch we integrated our advanced tracing feature and translations for the French language version. We have to be honest here and say that we didn't get all translations in but we know what we need to get in for the final product.

Finally we put the whole thing in action and ran through some testing scenarios and found that everything was working as expected. Files we going in to all folders and printing was working very well. That code is getting real good for a beta product.

The last touch was to do an installer. These are pretty straightforward as we use a strict set of rules to run through the set up for one. The rules can be run through by almost anyone really as they give a good set of instructions and a template to use.

With the installer in place we spent the last hour running through some test scenarios on a Virtual Machine image we keep using the great VirtualBox tool from Sun.

The one thing we couldn't test was any other accounts as the target API only allows us to test our account as that is what is associated with the developer key we were given.

All in all we have had an incredible incubation session. We are so thrilled to be able to successfully rapidly develop a simple cloud based connector in three days. THREE DAYS!

Okay, this is not something we would commonly wish to do obviously. We would actually not release this as a final product at all. In fact if we were to release it we would have to write "ALPHA" all over it. Let's face it we're not releasing some random iPhone app here for Apple to review. This is a business product for an organisation to integrate into their document workflow solution.

What we were looking to achieve here was improvement and education. We wanted to discover what we could do in the time given, and we wanted to learn from it and improve our code, our process and our learning.

We are pleased to say we've accomplished everything we wanted to do!

Incubation Day Two

We've had a phenomenal second day of Incubation!

This day focussed on testing of the main connector code with some improvements and defect logging for future process enhancements.

We discovered a pretty big issue with Sharescan today that will really help with future developments. Something that can be overcome definitely but also something that can be a show stopper if not considered and dealt with correctly.

So we focussed on our forms and making sure that all errors are dealt with in an appropriate manner to give the best user experience. We like to give short error messages with as much focussed detail as we can. For example with regards to a login screen we really like to tell the user whether their user name or password is the issue with a log in. Sometimes it isn't possible with certain API so we can only feed back that there is an issue with the credentials.

Once this one completed we turned our attention to stress testing in different bandwidths as this is another cloud based project. Then we moved on to any other miscellaneous tests.

The last task of the day was to integrate our print code which is still in beta. We are looking to get this tested in as many situations as we can so any API that offers download of documents will have this feature.

With the print code in place we finished for the day. Tomorrow we move in to testing this feature, adding licensing, advanced tracing, translations and creating the deployment package.

The experience so far has been fantastic. We've managed to make improvements to our processes and software as we hoped to fine tune both of these. The project has been moving at great speed and is on track to prove that providing we have a great API to develop with we can turn a (simple) connector project in a week.

Incubation Day Three

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