Prepress
Better PDF/A programs based on PDF/A testsuite
Thursday 17. April 2008 - callas software declares full support for the PDF/A testsuite "Isartor" announced at the international PDF/A conference in Amsterdam
callas software welcomes the PDF/A testsuite that has yet been introduced at the PDF/A conference in Amsterdam. The provider of software for validation and conversion of PDF files announces full compatibility with the testsuite. The PDF/A testsuite will be publicly available in early summer 2008. All PDF/A related products from callas software will support Isartor from the first date the testsuite is being published.
“The PDF/A testsuite ends the situation in which some users where not sure whether a given PDF/A application fully supports the PDF/A standard or not. The new testsuite has been specified and implemented by inernational PDF experts and “translates” the PDF/A standard into common, practical test cases. All the PDF/A software industry and their customers take advantage of the new PDF/A testsuite. It has sometimes been difficult until now to explain differences between different PDF/A products. callas software for example is now in the situation to prove full PDF/A support based on an independent test field.” Olaf Drümmer, Managing Director callas software GmbH
PDF/A testsuite, developed by PDF/A Competence Center:
The PDF/A testsuite offers practical tests for all details of PDF/A, the ISO standard for long term archiving of electronic documents. It has been developed with the contribution of several providers of PDF/A software worldwide organized in the Technical Working Group of the PDF/A Competence Center. The PDF/A testsuite comprises of more than 200 PDF files that have been specially designed to test all aspects of the PDF/A standard: Each PDF contains one distinct and particular property, that is prohibited in the PDF/A standard. Additional information incorporated into each of these files describes the test case and makes it very easy to check whether a PDF/A program is able to properly identify the respective problem.
The PDF/A testsuite is a unique tool for developers and providers of PDF/A programs to prove that their products fully support the ISO standard PDF/A. Any uncertainties about how the PDF/A standard is being understood are clarified and differences in the results between the programs from different vendors are thereby avoided. It offers a common base to all vendors of PDF/A products. In addition uncertainties for end users are finished by allowing for user friendly testing of PDF/A applications which does not require deeper PDF knowledge.