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Open Standard To Promote Widespread Use of Remote Image Data Entry

TAWPI Show, DENVER – In a decision expected to broaden the use of imaging technologies, Tangent Systems Inc., an established provider of high-speed document and transaction processing software, is offering its SWEPT communications protocol as an open standard. By licensing SWEPT – Standard Work Exchange ProTocol – for a $100 fee, Tangent Systems is giving imaging users an efficient and inexpensive means of exchanging information and images across remote or dissimilar enterprises.

"As users invest in imaging technologies at the department level, they often need to interconnect image systems from different vendors running on different platforms," said Steve Mack, president of Tangent Systems. "Open imaging interchange standards are an essential step toward realizing the full value of imaging technology. The cost benefits for departmental imaging applications are only the tip of the iceberg. The biggest return on investment comes from organization-wide and now inter-organization exchange of images."

Tangent’s SWEPT protocol is in use today for the exchange of images and data between remittance systems using Tangent’s DocuTran® II software and remote image data entry service providers across leased line networks. Also it is used for locally connecting imaging systems from different vendors. DocuTran is a versatile Windows NT-based software solution for high-speed, mission-critical remittance and transaction processing environments. The scalable and transport-independent software processes a variety of documents, including remittances, order forms, coupons, stock proxies and sales drafts.

"We developed SWEPT in response to our users’ need for reliable remote image data entry," Mack said. "There is a vast, untapped potential for applying this technology. It isn’t all about reducing labor costs anymore. Often the data entry personnel simply aren’t available in today’ tight labor markets."

Information/Image Exchange

SWEPT is an open, flexible framework to facilitate the efficient exchange of almost any type of images and data, especially in high-speed, remote operations. In addition to remote image data entry, the protocol is ideal for many other uses, including:

• Exchanging images and data between a capture system and an archival system.
  Sending images to a service bureau for ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition) processing and returning the results.
• Connecting an image remittance system to an image POD (Proof of Deposit) system for check clearing.
• SWEPT relies on simple, non-proprietary technologies to implement its capabilities. The file formats and transfer mechanisms are flexible, allowing virtually any system to communicate with another system across most private or public networks. SWEPT is easily user-configurable, making it readily adaptable to the unique requirements of almost any processing environment. SWEPT has standard provisions for quality feedback, which can be used by a capture site to send full error feedback information to a remote service bureau.

According to Mack, the focus of SWEPT is different from the ANSI/ISO standards of AIIM, such as DMA (Document Management Alliance) and ODMA (Open Document Management API). "The AIIM standards are oriented more towards item level workflow and document management, while SWEPT is specifically targeted at the efficient, high-speed exchange of multiple batches of document images for remote processing. There is little or no overlap in scope between these other standards and SWEPT."

About Tangent Systems

Tangent Systems Inc., headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Ill., specializes in the development of software solutions designed to process high-volume and unique or complex paper-based transactions. Founded in 1984, Tangent is well known for its proven and flexible DocuTran software, which is used on more than 200 systems worldwide and has earned a reputation for quick and reliable implementation. In addition to software, the company also provides on-site training, application maintenance support and software customization tools. For more information on Tangent Systems Inc. or any of its solutions, call 847/882-3833 or visit www.tangent-systems.com.