Why is Expedite Different? Supports the concept of a "Business Document"  Automates the process steps for a Business Document. Stores the files on a file server making them directly available to users and their applications. Businesses are run with what we call “Business Documents”  Business Documents are more than simply a file! A Business Document must encompass: The file itself. Previous Revisions Tracking data such as “Client Name”, “Renewal Date”, or “Contract Value” for example. The “State” of the file describing where it is within the process cycle. Attachments such as emails, costing spreadsheets, scanned signature pages, photographs, etc. A mirrored copy of the file to ensure the important information can be restored automatically if something happens to it. Security settings and access rights. A method to validate the contents of the document to ensure accuracy. The names of the people who have to approve any changes to the document. A list of people you want to notify if something does change. A complete audit log of all activity on the document. The source of the file (e.g. template used to create it.) References to external data sources such as the contact name of the selected customer. References to other business documents such as the proposal that lead to the contract. Expedite manages all these automatically and maintains this collection of information that make up a business document.  Users actually operate at the Business Document level, NOT at simply the file level! The second thing Expedite does is allow the automatic processing of a set of similar business documents as a collection.  All the business documents of the same type are stored and managed in a single location.  (e.g. all the contracts are stored in the same directory). Provide visualization of the status of all the business documents as a whole.  (Here is the status of all of our contract for example) The required steps through the business process can be automated. Certain aspects of the process can be automated or enforced such as the file naming convention, entering of certain tracking information, or ensuring the right people have approved any changes. Provides indexing and searching to allow users to find the key information regardless of who filed it in the first place. Last but not least, the files that comprise a Business Document are stored on a file server and accessed just like they are now. Users and applications can open the files directly without having to go through Expedite. There is a tremendous amount of sophistication wrapped around those files to protect their integrity! This offers several advantages: Utilizes the customer’s existing networking, storage, and server infrastructure. That allows us to keep the cost structure low. Don’t sell it by seat.  It is sold by process.  Allows everyone to realize the benefits of Expedite. File access performance is the same. Users and more importantly the applications that the users want to run against their business documents all can run directly off the storage. There is no need to first copy the file off a website someplace first. Should Expedite have a problem, the files are still available. Makes archiving simple (and even possible!) Not tied to an internet connection. Avoids the worry of giving information vital to keeping your business operational to some external third party.