Synergetic Data Systems Inc.

The Windows Support Server is a no-charge companion product that can be installed on any Windows 2000 or higher computer on the network where the UnForm server runs. If the UnForm server is running on Windows, then the Support Server is already installed and can be enabled through server configuration. If the UnForm server is not running on Windows, you can install the Support Server separately and configure these lines in the [defaults] section of uf70d.ini:

sshost=hostname or IP address of Support Server
ssport=listening port number

In addition, the sshost() code block command can be used to set the support server machine and port during job processing.

The following features are supported:

Image scaling and conversion
The UnForm server can utilize a local copy of Image Magick or Image Alchemy to perform image scaling and conversion, but these products are not always readily available for some Unix operating systems. In addition, the image command supports two options, gamma n and rotate n, which the Support Server honors. This feature is used automatically by UnForm whenever an image conversion or scale is required, if Magick or Alchemy is not configured for use at the server.
GhostScript-based Image Output
The UnForm server can utilize a local copy of Ghostscript to produce image output and to convert PDF files to other formats. However, the latest versions of Ghostscript are not readily available on all operating systems. By installing a Windows version of Ghostscript on the support server, the UnForm server can rely on it to perform the conversions. This feature is used automatically by UnForm whenever a PDF-to-image conversion required, if GhostScript is not configured for use at the server.
Database Access
The support server can be configured to access data base sources via ODBC or more recent database access technologies. UnForm rule files can connect to these data sources and retrieve data for use in UnForm jobs.
Data sources are configured using the Support Server configuration window. UnForm jobs can then use the dbconnect() and dbexecute() code block commands.
Microsoft Fax
The Microsoft fax server, a free product available for Windows 2000 and up (and pre-installed on Windows XP and up), can be easily set up on the support server or another Windows server on the network. The support server can then use the Microsoft fax client to send faxes on behalf of UnForm jobs.
UnForm jobs can use the msfax() code block command as soon as Microsoft Faxing is configured.
Remote File Viewing
On any computer where the support server is installed, an UnForm rule file can send a file and display it. This makes it possible for UnForm to create PDF documents or other image files, and display them on any user's desktop.
The showfile() code block command can be used to upload a file from the UnForm Server and display it on the Support Server machine.
This feature can be used effectively if the support server is installed and operated as an application (not a service) on user workstations, and if a given user's workstation can be identified in an UnForm job. Note that SDSI does have plans to offer more complete desktop delivery capabilities in the future.
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