Computer Gurus -- .PDF Software?

Demiurge
Demiurge Posts: 10,874
edited April 2 in Clubhouse Archives
Do any of you know of a software that will work well for a small business (30 machines or less) which will pretty much take any document (CAD files, word files, excel files, etc.) and convert it to a .pdf format so that I can email them easily to my customers, vendors, and upload them to my website?

I'm looking for a reputable software program. I don't want any freeware or anything like that. It should be something a lot of people in the business world use.

As it's been lately we have been sending them off for someone else to do. I could ask them, but I don't really want them to know we're considering phasing them out.

I've heard of Blue Beam, and it seems to me that it's the best option. Can anyone comment on that?
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
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  • nebborjk
    nebborjk Posts: 425
    edited August 2006
    We use blue beam at the office. It does a nice job. The "push button" feature in ACAD is unbelievably simple to use.
    Proud SOPA Member since 2005!
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,907
    edited August 2006
    You might do some research on Omnipage and PaperPort. We used to have some HP scanners that came with these programs and it seems to me that's what they were used for.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited August 2006
    nebborjk --

    Excellent, can it convert word, and excel files?

    I really need it for my engineering staff, but I would like to use it as well for updating my websites.
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited August 2006
    The adobe printer driver usually works pretty well- it looks like a printer on your computer, but it just converts whatever you send to it to a PDF. Very tweakable, so you can adjust DPI, etc.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
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  • MattN03
    MattN03 Posts: 558
    edited August 2006
    We just use Adobe Acrobat Standard. Not sure of the price, but it'll convert anything to .PDF.
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited August 2006
    MattN03 wrote:
    We just use Adobe Acrobat Standard. Not sure of the price, but it'll convert anything to .PDF.

    Cool, Blue Beam has a lower price point per seat, but I'll check this out too.
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited August 2006
    I believe part of the adobe package is a program that you can install on the server that sets up an input & output directory on that server- everything you drop in there is converted and dropped in the output folder. I'll try to find the name of that utility & which package it's in. That's probably a lot more effective than paying per seat.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • petrym
    petrym Posts: 1,912
    edited August 2006
    There's a low cost app called Pdf Factory.
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited August 2006
    unc2701 wrote:
    I believe part of the adobe package is a program that you can install on the server that sets up an input & output directory on that server- everything you drop in there is converted and dropped in the output folder. I'll try to find the name of that utility & which package it's in. That's probably a lot more effective than paying per seat.

    Yeah, let me know about that one. Might be a better option.
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  • Kris Siegel
    Kris Siegel Posts: 309
    edited August 2006
    CuteFTP is what I used to use. It lets you print to a PDF. I forget what the price is (it might be free or very cheap).
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  • nebborjk
    nebborjk Posts: 425
    edited August 2006
    Blue Beam installs itself as a printer on your system. It will "print to pdf" nearly any document. I've used it on word and excel in the past with great results.
    Proud SOPA Member since 2005!
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited August 2006
    BCL makes an excellent line of PDF related products. Relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
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  • wallstreet
    wallstreet Posts: 1,405
    edited August 2006
    Yea, Adobe PDF Writer. It looks just like a printer on your PC. Print to it and it creates the PDF. I use it to send large graphic documents to folks. The nice thing is you can search text in the graphic.
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited August 2006
    I bought Adobe Acrobat Pro 7.0 last night, and I love it.

    Thanks for all of the suggestions.
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