Asset Management Solution supports Cumulus 6.
Press Release Summary:
Available for Workgroup and Enterprise Editions of Cumulus, HELIOS Companion v2.0 combines digital asset management software with file and print server and server-based image replacement solutions. It synchronizes Cumulus catalogs and HELIOS EtherShare and PC Share volumes when users store new files or make changes to existing files. Cataloging process, including reading of metadata and creation of thumbnails, is performed directly on server.
Original Press Release:
Canto Releases Update to Helios Companion
Version 2.0 offers full support of Cumulus 6 with many new features added and promises greater stability and performance
October 12, 2004, San Francisco, Berlin. Canto, a global leader in Digital Asset Management (DAM) solutions, today announced the immediate availability of HELIOS Companion 2.0. This Option consists of four modules, namely, HELIOS Synchronizer, HELIOS Filter, HELIOS AssetProcessor and HELIOS Companion Setup. It is available for the Workgroup and Enterprise Editions of Cumulus.
Cumulus HELIOS Companion 2.0 combines the power of Canto's award-winning Digital Asset Management (DAM) software with HELIOS' fast and reliable file and print server and server-based image replacement solutions. It automatically synchronizes Cumulus catalogs and HELIOS EtherShare and PC Share volumes when users store new files or make changes to existing files in the HELIOS file system, thus maintaining a familiar user workflow and eliminating the need for manual cataloging. Furthermore, the cataloging process, including reading of metadata and creation of thumbnails, are performed directly on the server, reducing network load and improving response time.
The key feature of this version is the full support of Cumulus 6 including Asset Handling Sets and the structured category tree. For example, an Administrator no longer needs to configure the "Cataloging Options' for each watcher but can select a configuration from the centrally administered Asset Handling Sets stored on the server side. This simplifies the task of the Administrator. Furthermore, with the Cumulus 6 compatible version of HELIOS Asset Processor, Cumulus 6 users can now use the format conversion features of HELIOS ImageServer. This includes the support of ICC profiles to convert cataloged assets within the Cumulus 6 Client application or with a Cumulus 6 Internet solution such as Web Publisher Pro or Internet Client Pro.
"HELIOS Companion 2.0's compatibility with Cumulus 6, reiterates Canto's commitment to providing its customers with the most up-to-date solutions in serving all their Digital Asset Management needs," said Ulrich Knocke, Canto's Senior Product Manager. "Users still have the trademark capabilities of HELIOS Companion in enhancing their workflow efficiency, with the added bonus of a product that is built on an enhanced architecture offering unmatched performance and stability. Furthermore, many powerful new features have also been incorporated into this version."
In addition to its compatibility with Cumulus 6, the new Cumulus HELIOS Companion 2.0 comes with other exciting features such as an exclusion list for cataloging, pre-filling of information while cataloging assets or updating records and, a 'Pause and Resume' functionality in the Companion Setup.
The exception list allows users to exclude particular assets from being cataloged as defined, for example, by file name, format or creating application.
Now, with the ability to pre-fill information while cataloging and updating records, time is saved and mistakes that may occur when this is done manually are avoided. A XML file containing the values has to be stored in the monitored folder(s). The record fields of files cataloged from this folder or its sub-folders will be pre-filled with the given information. With the new 'Pause and Resume' functionality, every single Synchronize Setup can now be paused while other operations are in progress. Therefore, maintenance work on assigned catalogs or Cumulus servers is now possible while users are still updating their files on the watched EtherShare or PC Share volume. The events for such operations are continuously queued so that working on the file system can proceed without a hitch.
The HELIOS Filter module has also been updated and now supports XPPV files for both Quark XPress and InDesign documents.
As with all updates of Cumulus Options, performance and stability have been enhanced. For example, now, all records get a folder category assigned even if cataloging the asset takes longer than the configured timeout due to long running layout processes. A time consuming 'resynch' process is no longer required to fix missing category assignments.
Pricing and Availability
Cumulus HELIOS Companion 2.0 is immediately available from HELIOS sales partners. Updates and demo versions can be downloaded from the Canto website. It is available with English, German, French and Japanese user interface on Mac OS X, Linux and Solaris. Cumulus HELIOS Companion is compatible with the Cumulus Workgroup and Enterprise Edition from version 6 and with the current HELIOS products of the 4th generation.
For more information on all Canto products and services and to download demo versions go to: www.canto.com
About Canto
Founded in 1990, Canto is the leading supplier of Digital Asset Management products and services with over one million Cumulus licenses sold and more than 12,000 client/server systems installed worldwide. Canto's business focus is to deliver world-class solutions at an inexpensive price to the creative arts, publishing, corporate communications and other industries. The company's product line "Cumulus" is designed to manage and archive all types of digital assets used in production, publishing, communication, and other workflows, offering cross-platform and Internet technology that scales completely from Enterprise to Single Users.
