The 2007 release of Microsoft Office was a milestone and not just because
it had evolved from a suite of personal productivity products into a
comprehensive, multifaceted and integrated system. For the first time it
embraced open XML standards replacing the proprietary formats of previous
versions.
XML made it apparent to a growing number of organisations that their
information systems could interoperate and collaborate to support new business
processes in ways never before possible.
For Mitrais, the introduction of open standards was to be the catalyst for
the escalation in demand for the add-in programming services it had introduced
in 2003.
Add-in programming describes services, based on Microsoft Office, which use
the tools, applications and technologies of Office to deliver functions not
provided by Microsoft. Typically these functions are customised to the needs of
a particular client.
Since 2003 Mitrais has developed a diverse range of applications based on the
use of add-in programming services.
One of the first of these was an automatic document generation system for
business documents and emails. Based on predefined Microsoft Office templates
and using Visual Studio Tools for Office (VSTO), it supports an investment
administration system for an Australian financial planning group.
VSTO is also the technology underpinning an electronic document management
system (EDMS) developed by Mitrais which enables a prominent US company to
watermark and distribute documents in a diverse range of formats including
Microsoft Word and Excel. The electronic watermark, like its physical namesake,
provides a guarantee of authenticity.
The watermarking engine enables the EDMS to automatically embed a watermark
image and text related to terms of use in any document retrieved by the user.
The engine is configurable to have different watermark images or text imbedded
from different locations and also to enable it to be turned on or off.
A similar automated document generation system, which can output Word and
Excel documents, has also been developed for a prominent risk management advisor
and insurance broker.
Stepping beyond the commercial arena a recent project required Mitrais to
develop a Microsoft Word 2007 add-in for academic institutions to mark student
exams and assessments. The application, also using VSTO technology, enables
academics to annotate, comment, stamp and grading exams.
Mitrais provides add-in programming services in Australia, Indonesia and the
USA.
With accreditation from Microsoft as a Partner with a Gold Software Development competency, Mitrais enjoys full support and training in the skills required to provide add-in programming services.