TeleForm Functions:
- eForms Submission via eMail
- eForms Submission via Web
- Scan via network scanner
- Web Capture
- Remote Capture Station
- Designer
- Scan Station
- Reader
- Auto Merge Publisher
- Verifier
eForms Submission Via eMail & Web
Users submitting data via PDF or HTML forms can be located on any type of connected remote network. Naturally a working email client and the full version of Acrobat is required for eMail submission and a local network or internet connection is required for on-line web submission. On-line web submission uses an HTTP post to a CGI or ASP script so the only networking requirement is either port 80 (HTTP) for unsecured or port 443 (SSL) for secured submission, although alternative ports can be configured if required.
Scan Via Network Scanner
Whilst the TeleForm scanning modules are best for scanning from a local scanner it is often best to implement network scanners if there are many sites or branches wishing to scan forms to a central system. We have worked mainly with the HP Digital Sender range over the years but have also worked with several multifunctional devices with network scanners built in. These devices usually connect directly to the network via Ethernet and don't require a controlling PC. Images are usually saved to a network folder as TIFF or PDF files and TeleForm can periodically monitor this folder and create batches or non-batches from them.
The network requirements for such devices depend on the unit used. Most support UNC paths for local networks whilst some support FTP for sending to remote locations.
Web Capture
The Web Capture option is included with TeleForm Enterprise but is also an option for TeleForm Workgroup. It allows a fully featured web interface to be deployed on a web server to allow remote branches to connect via the internet or intranet and submit scanned images. This allows remote branches to utilise high speed scanners as opposed to the relatively slow and impractical network scanner type devices.
The client machine initially needs permissions to install the ActiveX scanner module upon first use but after that a web browser and a normal internet connection is all that is required. Due to the file sizes (approx 40KB per A4 single sided page) it may take a few minutes to submit the scanned batch if the connection is slow.
Remote Capture Station
Rather than being deployed via a web browser, the Remote Capture Station is installed from a CD. It is more like the full TeleForm Scan Station in its appearance and functionality but you can set up the submission to the TeleForm server to be via a UNC path or FTP.
Its main advantage over the Web capture option is the ability to queue up batches before submitting them. They can even be configured to be submitted at off-peak times or out of hours which is really useful if the connection is via an already busy corporate WAN.
Designer, Scan Station, Reader, Auto Merge Publisher & Verifier
All the remaining TeleForm modules can only be run locally by default. Although TeleForm V9 onwards is much more tolerant to slow networks than older versions, it is still recommended to have a 100Mbit non-routed connection. We have tested on links as slow as 256Kbit and although not usable on a production basis it does start up and run OK. This is largely due to the far more efficient networking methods used by Microsoft SQL Server (the new TeleForm backend database that replaces Pervasive SQL the Btrieve based backend) and also due to all TeleForm client executables are now installed on the local workstations, rather than the server.
You can however run all but the Scan Station via Citrix Metaframe. This allows remote staff to design forms and Verify data for a truly dispersed, centrally managed, enterprise solution.
Glossary
PDF - Portable Document Format. Open standard format for documents and online forms. Most commonly associated with Adobes Acrobat products.
HTML - HyperText Markup Language. The format most web pages and eForms are designed in.
HTTP - Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. The transfer method used for all web pages on the Internet.
CGI - Common Gateway Interface. A common way for interfacing external data from a web client to a web server.
ASP - Active Server Pages. Microsoft's server side scripting technology for its web servers.
SSL - Secure Sockets Layer. Cryptographic protocol which provides secure communications across the Internet, commonly used for most on-line banking and shopping.
TIFF - Tagged Images File Format. A common image format created primarily for faxing but also best suited to storing monochrome images.
UNC - Universal Naming Convention. The method used on Microsoft based networks for accessing storage areas on local servers.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol. A Internet standard protocol for transferring file to remote servers.
LAN - Local Area Network. A network the only spans one physical site, usually without any routing.
WAN - Wide Area Network. A network that spans two or more sites, such as the Internet.