Information Systems:Exploring TLAForm as an alternative to JetForm

Background

The ERP generates documents like invoices, purchase orders and statements (statement of account). These documents are in "raw" form coming from the system, and it is usually left to a third-party software to transform raw spooled output into visually appealing paper or electronic forms, as well as distribute them via various means e.g. email, fax etc. JetForm is this product. Despite its function being an important one in any ERP system, there do not seem to exist functionally equivalent alternatives (software that not only achieves the same result but also operate similarly on a technical level) in the market. So far, the two closest have been:

• DocPath/DocOrigin - Almost exactly like JetForm, mostly because it is JetForm i.e. the original creators sold JetForm to Adobe, and many years later re-wrote it to do the same thing under a different name.
• Adobe Forms - Adobe purchased JetForm and for some years maintained its core functionality, but since then have rewritten it enough that it no longer operates the same way as JetForm.

A separate class of software exists that may work as a JetForm alternative, especially considering uniPHARM's simpler document transformation/distribution needs. Of this class, the product TLAForm is being explored with sample spool file output from the DC1 upgrade project.

Form overlay vs Data stream

For the sake of simplicity, JetForm is described as a "data stream" type of program, while TLAForm is a "form overlay" program. Both function to produce forms from spool output, and distribute them. The differences are outlined below.

Form overlay

• Involves a somewhat "pictorial".
• Takes a spool file and processes it as if it were an image i.e. as content blocks and elements.