Digital Storage Manager is targeted primarily to creative (production) work teams, and provides a platform wherein files spread across multiple intranet file servers can be automatically indexed; allowing for centralized searching and management of the file's information. Digital Storage Manager does not actually move the indexed content to the Digital Storage Manager server; rather, it gathers and allows for the storage of metadata associated with the file (or folder, or job); metadata that can then be used in later searches to locate the information.

The platform is based on a client-server architecure; where the central server is a Windows 2000/2003 machine and the access clients run on Mac OS X machines (10.3). Utilizing InterSync technology, the central server can index files located on Mac OS X, Windows 2000/2003, and Xinet servers; automatically and in real-time capturing file metadata in targeted volumes. The platform is able to automatically recognize multiple file types, including AI, BMP, CT, CLP, EPS, GIF, IFF, INDD, JPG, MAC, MSP, PCD, PCX, PDF, PICT, PNTG, PPT, PS, PSD, QXP, RLE, RAS, TGA, TPIC, TXT, TIF, WMF, WPG, XBM, XPM, and folders. This automatic recognition allows for both the automatic capture of metadata and/or text information from the files, as well as allows the platform to provide visual previews of file data in later searches. Administrators can specify both the volumes that the central server will examine/scan for content, as well as "naming rules," i.e., a naming pattern that must be matched for the server to recognize a job folder (one that should be indexed as a Job in Digital Storage Manager) within those volumes.

In addition to the automatic collection of files and their metadata, Digital Storage Manager also allows for the creation of customizable "File Tickets" that allow for the addition and management of custom metadata content on collected files or jobs. A provided forms editor allows for the customization of these tickets to reflect the group's look and feel. Also, integration tools are available that allow for the automatic retrieval of metadata from existing FileMaker Pro or SQL-based DBs.

Once collected, search tools on the Mac OS X client allow for the location of files by specifying combinations of metadata tag keywords and/or file text contents. Located files are then displayed in a preview view for selection. The vendor's "Digital Storage Manager Production Pack" provides plug-in capabilities for multiple applications--including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, QuarkXPress, and the OS X Finder tool itself--allowing Digital Storage Manager functionality to be embedded directly within the menus of those applicatios. An additional Web server portal tool provides external, Web access to content managed by Digital Storage Manager.

Digital Storage Manager also provides archiving capabilities--the ability to archive specified jobs both decentrally, by the individual users themselves; or centrally (where the individual users queue jobs for archiving, and a designated archivist utilizies a centralized workflow to archive jobs as necessary). The platform's "One Step Archiving" capabilities allow for both the archiving (moving to online archive servers) and disaster recovery (backup) of files in a single process. It collects files for archiving and organizes them onto media based on user-specified options; utilizing archiving "helper" applications supporting multiple external backup tools including ARCserve, Dantz Retrospect, Roxio Toast, Rimage, Mac OS X File Burner, and Microsoft Removable Storage Manager (RSM). Archived data can also be searched for and located using the Digital Storage Manager search facilities.

New features in the latest Digital Storage Manager release include a Mac OS X development environment, including a WYSIWYG forms editor, JavaScript editor, precision format palettes, inline control palettes, multi-object align and edit tools, and form zoom; plug-in support for CS2 InDesign and CS2 Illustrator; and integration with Rimage CD/DVD gear.

Digital Storage Manager is available now; pricing is set based on total storage needs and is offered in increments of 100 GB, 250 GB, 1 TB, 2.5 TB, 5 TB, and unlimited. (Clients are unlimited at all pricing tiers.)

Visit the MetaCommunications Web site for further information.

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