Berlin, 08.06.11 - callas software has expanded the conversion options of its flagship product pdfaPilot – the tool for professional creation and validation of PDF/A files. Version 2.4 of callas pdfaPilot allows users to convert numerous additional formats into PDF/A files. These include PostScript/EPS and JPEG, TIFF and PNG image formats. An additional highlight of the product update is the validation of PDF/VT – a standard format for variable data printing. callas pdfaPilot 2.4 checks the corresponding pages of a document to ensure they comply with the standard and provides detailed error messages if it encounters discrepancies.
The pdfaPilot software from callas software offers businesses and public authorities a comprehensive set of functions for validating and creating PDF/A files. The software tool already supports a large number of formats such as MS Office and OpenOffice files. Users now also have the option to directly create PDF/A documents from PostScript/EPS, JPEG, TIFF and PNG files.

“This considerably expands the range of applications for the software once again,” explains Dietrich von Seggern, Business Development Manager at callas software. “Using the PDF/VT validation feature integrated in pdfaPilot, we are also addressing completely new needs seen with high-volume printing tasks such as for invoices.” PDF/VT is an ISO standard for variable data printing (VDP). The standard ensures the smooth exchange of VDP files between systems or companies involved in the production.

PDF/VT is based on PDF/X-4 and uses the document part metadata (DPM) concept to provide page management that extends beyond the options offered by PDF. This, for example, makes it possible to directly access all pages for a certain range of postal codes since any page can be categorized using the relevant metadata.
 
 callas pdfaPilot 2.4 checks the conformity of the documents by verifying whether the DPM metadata structure is consistent and matches the page structure, thus giving users a valuable tool for the customized printing of documents such as invoices.

In addition, pdfaPilot 2.4 ensures that it is easier to work with the resulting PDF files. When creating documents, data irrelevant to the display is removed automatically. The compression of the structures has been improved as well. “These features make the PDFs leaner overall,” explains Dietrich von Seggern.
This update is a maintenance update also containing several internal improvements, in turn optimizing the efficiency of pdfaPilot as well as the memory handling even more. The positive effects of the improvement become particularly noticeable when processing large or highly complex files.

Prices and availability
callas pdfaPilot 2.4 is available now for 379 euro and callas pdfaPilot Server 2.4 is on the market at 4.499 euro. Licence holders can upgrade to the new version free of charge. A free demo version is available at www.callassoftware.com/callas/doku.php/en:download.

About callas software
callas software finds simple ways to handle complex PDF challenges. As a technology innovator, callas software develops and markets PDF technology for publishing, print production, document exchange and document archiving. callas software helps agencies, publishing companies and printers to meet the challenges they face by providing software to preflight, correct and repurpose PDF files for print production and electronic publishing. Businesses and government agencies all over the world rely on callas software’s future-proof, fully PDF/A compliant archiving products.

In addition, callas software technology is available as a programming library (SDK) for developers with a need for PDF optimization, validation and correction. Software vendors such as Adobe®, Quark®, Xerox® and many others have recognised the quality and flexibility provided by these callas tools and have incorporated them into their solutions.

callas software actively supports international standards and has been participating in ISO, CIP4, the European Color Initiative, the PDF/A Competence Center and the Ghent PDF Workgroup. In addition, callas software is a founding member of the PDF/A Competence Center and in October 2010, Olaf Drümmer became its chairman.
callas software is based in Berlin, Germany. For more information, visit the callas software website at: www.callassoftware.com.

About Four Pees
Named after the four P’s of marketing – product, price, place and promotion – Four Pees markets, distributes, integrates and supports solutions for the print and publishing industry. The company focuses on solutions for collaboration, automation and quality optimization for the commercial print, publishing, packaging and large format printing markets.

Four Pees is worldwide exclusive distributor of the callas pdfToolbox and callas pdfaPilot product ranges, the most complete PDF processing solutions for the print, publishing and document archival markets, ProofMaster, for color-accurate contract proofs and PrintFactory, the most complete production suite for large format printing. Other represented brands include axaio software, Barbieri, CtrlPublishing, Elpical and ICS.

Four Pees was established in 2007 by Tom Peire and has quickly grown into an industry innovating team with a background in leading companies such as Artwork Systems, EFI, Enfocus, Kodak and Vutek.