SOLsearcher Enterprise (SSE) Features and System Architecture Overview Series
This two part series provides an overview of SOLsearcher Enterprise (SSE) and where it fits into the typical production print and electronic document delivery workflow and the benefits it provides. SSE is our eDelivery and archive solution that is designed to augment or replace existing printing processes by providing a secure and easy-to-use solution for distributing and accessing critical information with web browsers. Users can quickly search large amounts of information and display the same document that was previously printed, including access to the content for use in other applications or presenting summary information. SSE has a lot of capabilities so we’ve grouped the overview into two sessions starting with a general overview and then more details about the solution’s architecture.
SSE is a robust and highly secure electronic document delivery and ePresentment solution that empowers organizations to effectively index, store, search, and distribute large volumes of transactional and customer-facing documents as a service. Designed to complement or replace traditional print processes, SSE has an open API and easily integrates into existing web and customer portals, facilitating electronic delivery of personalized documents such as invoices and insurance policies. SSE is part of Solimar’s Chemistry™ platform and is integrated with its automated workflow, print management, data optimization, document enhancement, and job-tracking solutions.
Transforming Document Delivery and Archiving
SOLsearcher Enterprise (SSE) stands at the forefront of electronic document delivery and archiving solutions, designed to enhance or replace traditional printing processes with secure, efficient web-based access to critical information. This powerful platform enables organizations to effectively index, archive, search, and retrieve large collections of transactional documents while maintaining security and compliance.
Part 1 of 2 (Length: 26:06)
SOLsearcher Enterprise (SSE) stands at the forefront of electronic document delivery and archiving solutions, designed to enhance or replace traditional printing processes with secure, efficient web-based access to critical information. This powerful platform enables organizations to effectively index, archive, search, and retrieve large collections of transactional documents while maintaining security and compliance.
The Solimar Systems Advantage
Founded in 1991, Solimar Systems has established itself as a production environment leader, from commercial direct mail to transactional printing. Their Chemistry platform, which includes SOLsearcher Enterprise, addresses various workflow challenges related to production, print, and electronic distribution requirements.
Where SSE Fits in Your Workflow
In a typical production print workflow, data from source applications flows through composition engines to generate print files. These files are then printed, finished, and mailed. SSE adds a parallel electronic delivery channel that can either complement physical printing or replace it entirely.
SSE supports both push and pull models for electronic delivery:
- Push model: Users receive notifications when documents are available
- Pull model: Users can perform ad-hoc searches to retrieve documents as needed
Key Benefits of Electronic Delivery with SSE
The advantages of implementing SSE extend beyond the obvious cost savings:
- Real-time document delivery improves business processes and increases efficiency
- Reduced hardcopy production cuts costs related to labor, equipment, postage, and storage
- Electronic searchability allows users to extract content for use in other systems
- Modernized legacy systems reduce maintenance and support requirements
- Enhanced compliance and security meet rigorous regulatory standards
Powerful Features for Document Management
SOLsearcher Enterprise offers a comprehensive suite of capabilities:
- Enterprise-class archiving for any document type, especially powerful with transactional PDFs
- Flexible framework for both B2B and B2C applications
- Customizable web interface that can be branded to match your corporate identity
- Optimized storage by archiving entire print runs as single PDFs
Security and Access Control
In today’s zero-trust environment, SSE provides robust security features:
- Centralized document repository with controlled access
- Authentication through existing network methods or SSE-specific identities
- Security is configurable at group and individual user levels
- Index data secured down to the field level
Advanced Indexing for Efficient Retrieval
The indexing tool works as a plug-in to Adobe Acrobat, providing:
- An intuitive interface for designing, testing, and managing indexing templates
- Support for creating index, qualifier, report, and table objects
- Association of indexes with familiar keywords for easier searching
- Full-text indexing capabilities for unstructured data
Data Mining and Customer Service Enhancements
SSE enables:
- Exporting data fields to other databases or applications in CSV format
- Access to exact renditions of printed documents for customer service representatives
- Addition of public or private notes/annotations to records for workflow collaboration
- User-tailored inboxes and recurrent searches for automated notifications
Real-World Implementation: FSSI Case Study
FSSI, a high-volume transactional printing and document outsourcing provider, uses SSE to power their StreamOne platform for e-presentment. Their implementation has scaled to over 1 billion archived files while serving millions of statements electronically.
Document Assembly and Reprint Management
SSE facilitates:
- Combining related individual records from across files into single outputs
- Manual or automated reprint workflows for damaged mail pieces
- Batch processing of reprints with complete job reconciliation
Storage Efficiency and Management
A key advantage of SSE is its storage optimization:
- PDF files stored as single production files rather than individual records
- Typical storage savings of 5-15 times compared to individual file storage
- Tiered file storage based on document age
- Automatic purging based on specified schedules
Multi-Tenant Architecture
For service providers and large organizations, SSE offers:
- Data segregation for multiple customers or departments
- Isolated databases to prevent mixing of data
- Tracking of storage and document activity for chargeback
- Ability to run different software versions for each client
The SSE Advantage
SOLsearcher Enterprise distinguishes itself through:
- High-level security for sensitive information
- Personalized user access and usage rights
- Low cost of entry with quick implementation
- Industry-standard technology that integrates seamlessly with existing systems
- Easy-to-use setup and management tools
Moving Forward with SSE
Electronic document delivery and management have become essential parts of business operations. SSE offers a targeted, powerful, and flexible solution that adapts to diverse business requirements while remaining competitively priced and accessible to companies of all sizes.
The quick implementation time—typically just a few days—allows organizations to streamline document delivery processes, improve efficiency, and reduce costs while ensuring compliance and security. Stay tuned for Part 2 of our overview, which will dive deeper into SSE’s architecture and components to provide a more technical understanding of this robust platform.
Architecture and Technical Deep Dive
Building on the overview of SOLsearcher Enterprise (SSE) from Part 1, this article explores the architectural components and technical aspects that make SSE a powerful solution for document archiving and electronic delivery.
Part 2 of 2 (Length: 20:11)
Building on the overview of SOLsearcher Enterprise (SSE) from Part 1, this article explores the architectural components and technical aspects that make SSE a powerful solution for document archiving and electronic delivery.
Basic Workflow Overview
The fundamental SSE workflow follows a straightforward path:
- Create documents using existing methods (print output files, scanned images)
- Optionally optimize or convert documents to PDF format
- Index files using templates that define searchable content
- Store index information in SQL database
- Configure security to control document access
- Set up delivery options through web interfaces, email, or your websites
The Building Blocks of SSE Architecture
SSE comprises several server components that work together seamlessly:
- SQL database server: Stores all index information
- Web server: Provides user interface access
- SSE application server: Runs the processing components
The solution accepts various file types, though PDF is most common. Print data formats (PostScript, AFP, VIPP, PCL, LCDS/Metacode) can be converted to PDF using Solimar’s Print Director Enterprise or SPDE solutions.
Why PDF is the Preferred Format
While SSE can archive any file format, PDF offers significant advantages:
- 100% fidelity representation of documents with date/time stamping
- Inclusion of variable marketing images and terms/conditions as originally sent
- Efficient storage through compression
- Compliance support with PDF/A for long-term archiving and PDF/UA for accessibility
- Self-contained resources for reliable presentation
- Support for enhanced content like videos and links
- Industry-standard viewing without proprietary technologies
Core Server Components
The application server runs four main software modules:
- Monitor server: Ingests files for processing
- Request server: Handles authentication, file retrieval, and management tasks
- Index server: Processes files and writes index information to the database
- Document server: Moves files through the system and generates search results
Each software module can run on the same physical/virtual machine or be distributed across multiple servers for load balancing and fault tolerance. A typical implementation uses three application servers to ensure optimal performance and redundancy.
System Groups for Multi-tenant Environments
SSE’s System Groups feature isolates customer hardware environments within a single implementation. Each group can run a different version of the software, eliminating the need to upgrade all applications simultaneously when only one document type requires an update.
Administrative Tools
SSE provides two powerful administrative interfaces:
- System Manager: Handles hardware setup, SQL database connections, and server module assignments
- Application Database Manager: Controls document archives, file processing rules, user/group security, and maintenance tasks
These intuitive yet comprehensive tools allow administrators to efficiently customize operating environments without extensive training.
Enhanced Search Capabilities
SSE offers sophisticated search features through:
Categories: Logical groupings of related document archives presented to users during searches
Links: Connections between index fields across different document archives for comprehensive searches
Data security: Controls user access to specific content based on individual, group, and field-level permissions
Indexing with SDX Designer
The SDX Designer plug-in for Adobe Acrobat provides:
- An intuitive interface for creating indexing templates
- Support for various indexing rules (single fields, paragraphs, floating data, tables)
- Metadata indexing capabilities (comments, white text, annotations)
- Record-based indexing that enables piece-level mail tracking
File Processing Workflow
The processing flow in SSE includes:
- Monitors watch network folders for incoming files
- Indexing extracts relevant information according to templates
- SQL database storage organizes all index information
- Repository storage archives the actual files
Storage Optimization
SSE’s approach to file storage provides significant advantages:
- Storage of PDF files as single production files rather than individual records
- On-the-fly extraction of individual records when requested
- Typical storage savings of 5-15 times compared to individual file storage
- Tiered storage support moving older files to less expensive hardware
- Automatic purging based on retention schedules
Web Presentation
The final step involves presenting documents to end users:
- Web server with Microsoft IIS communicates between client devices and SSE’s Request Server
- Web services built on SOAP architecture
- Integration with existing portals using SSE’s API
- Document presentation in native format, PDF, or HTML5 for mobile devices
Web Administrator for Delegated Control
SSE’s Web Administrator provides:
- Browser-based remote configuration for client administrators
- Limited control over archives for individual customers
- User management and security tasks without involving the hosting organization
- Preservation of system-wide configuration under hosting provider control
The Complete Platform
SOLsearcher Enterprise leverages industry-standard technologies in a scalable, high-performance, fault-tolerant application that integrates easily with existing infrastructures. Its modular, enterprise-scalable design simplifies deployment, management, and support while avoiding the pitfalls of open-ended projects with escalating costs.
By combining robust technical capabilities with practical business benefits, SSE provides organizations with a comprehensive solution for electronic document delivery and archiving that delivers immediate value while supporting long-term growth and changing requirements.