Building structured archives with PDF collections
PDF/A-2 introduces support for PDF collections. Acting as containers, such collections allow users to combine documents created in different applications in order to create a consistent, interrelated archive. callas pdfaPilot is capable of converting existing PDF files into PDF/A, can convert MS Office or OpenOffice documents to good PDF and also supports Microsoft Visio, Project and Publisher documents. Optionally callas pdfaPilot can even create a table of contents for the collection; linking all contained files. Such PDF collections are regular PDF files that can be opened with any good PDF reader such as Adobe Reader.

The applications for the new PDF collections support are plentiful. They can be used for credit or insurance documents consisting of multiple files or addenda or to create grouped archives of project files in the construction industry for example. Archiving emails is another typical example, where the use of PDF/A-2 allows creation of an archive PDF file consisting of the original email text. Embedded in the archive are PDF/A versions of the files attached to the email.

Managing different document views with layers
PDF/A-2 also introduces support for layer views. This allows archiving different views of the document. A user can then easily switch languages in a multilingual PDF/A for example, or a builder could switch on or off information such as cabling details and measurements while consulting archived construction plans. Layer views consist of structural information embedded in the PDF/A document; they avoid the necessity to create different versions of documents but allow working with one digital master.

Full support for all conformity levels
callas pdfaPilot supports all PDF/A-2 conformity levels. In addition to the basic PDF/A-2b standard, it also fully supports PDF/A-2a and PDF/A-2u. The “u” or “Unicode” variant ensures all text is properly represented so that archives can be searched correctly and that the text can be copied and extracted. The “a” or “Advanced” variant on top of that imposes structure and content requirements to allow screen readers and other accessibility tools to function correctly.

Pricing and availability
callas pdfaPilot 2.4 is available 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 time-limited fully functional demo version can be downloaded for free from www.callassoftware.com.  

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 their challenges, 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 understood 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 and the Ghent PDF Workgroup. Moreover, callas software is a founder member of the PDF/A Competence Center.
callas software is based in Berlin, Germany. For more info, please visit 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 Remote Director.
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.
For more information, visit www.fourpees.com.