PDF Publishing With XSL: FO

Imagine being able to instantly create professionally formatted print documents and Web content from a single source of content.

You could manage all of your data in a single location without the need to separately update print and Web pages, you could create up-to-the-second accurate price sheets, staff directories, and product datasheets, you could personalize documents based on logins or form entry, and you could transform any page into an Adobe PDF. Using Extensible Stylesheet Language Formatting Objects (XSL: FO) and Ingeniux CMS you can do all of these things, and it is easier than you may think.

XSL: FO is a set of controls developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) for transforming Web content into highly stylized documents for print layout. Using Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) to define objects that make up a page design, Formatting Objects (FO) add the ability to define typography and more importantly the information required to accurately format and paginate a page, including its' size, how information is applied to the page, or its flow, and the structure of the page.

Although it takes some time to define the print-quality page formatting, the investment is repaid by the ability to automatically populate the contents of a document. You only need to create the document once and it updates as content changes. The task of managing multiple sets of information is simplified, you reduce the work required to update and design multiple versions of a document, it is easier to find the current version of information, and you lower you content development costs by reusing information.

Creating an XSL: FO Document
You can create an XSL: FO page by applying an XSLT (Transform) Stylesheet with Formatting Objects to an XML file. The Stylesheet transforms that XML document into an XSL-FO document. Once created, the XSL: FO document needs to be processed by an XSL: FO formatter. An XSL: FO formatter is a software system that interprets the FO controls and outputs the formatted document. Ingeniux CMS ships with a built-in formatter and supports a number of leading third-party formatters. Once formatted, the document is ready for display on the Web, to be outputted to a printer, or to be written as a PDF file.

Like all XML publishing, you should put some thinking into how to structure your content into appropriate blocks that support your publications. With well-structured content, it is easier to reuse information and support multiple publications from a single source of data. For larger documents, it is helpful to apply workflows in assembling and editing each section of the document. Document comparison and redlining can be used to show editors how content has been updated for each version.

Although XSL: FO is a powerful way to create print-ready documents, it does not fit every publishing need. For instance, publications that are design intensive, like sophisticated annual reports, course catalogs, or brochures may not be well suited for XSL: FO styling. To single source publish these type of documents for print and the Web it may be better to map XML directly to Quark or Adobe PageMaker files. XSL: FO seems to work best for content-driven documents, such as financial reports, product datasheets, or staff directories. Additionally, one should consider how often a document changes and your need to deliver that document over the Web. If you have documents that contains content that changes frequently, that needs to be personalized, or generated dynamically in response to Web queries, XSL: FO may be an ideal solution.

The Ingeniux Cross Channel Publishing Solution
Cross Channel Publishing is the ability to support multiple publishing outputs from a single source of content, thus lowering the cost and complexity of managing text and media assets and developing compelling publications. Using Ingeniux CMS, customers publish information to Websites, Intranets, print documents, mobile device, enterprise portals and applications. Ingeniux CMS also provides the ability to publish content under multiple designs or brands, and to syndicate content.

As an XML-based content management system, Ingeniux natively supports XSL: FO publishing. Additionally, Ingeniux adds value to the XSL: FO publishing process by:

• Creating and managing all content as XML files, proving customers with content that is easily transformed into any format or transported to other applications.
• Integrating XSL: FO formatter services within the content management environment, providing a single solution for creating, managing, and outputting print-ready documents.
• Allowing customers to support cross channel publishing from a single source of content, including XSL: FO for print, HTML and XML for Web, and RSS for syndication.
• Populating XSL: FO documents with content stored outside of the CMS, including databases, enterprise portals and applications, and news feeds.
• Outputting XSL: FO as a publishing target, thus allowing print-ready documents or PDF's to be pushed onto a network server or content repository.
• Dynamically transforming XML into XSL: FO files as a real-time content delivery option.

Supporting XSL: FO is an important step in achieving Ingeniux "Write Once, Publish Many" vision. As standards like XSL: FO evolve, and major publishing vendors such as Quark and Adobe continue to extend the content connectivity between XML and traditional print outputs, Ingeniux CMS will provide customers a content management and publishing platform that truly delivers the promise of Cross Channel Publishing.

Ingeniux Professional Services
Ingeniux Professional Services Group provides training solutions and development services to help publishers create effective cross channel publishing solutions. We can help you develop XSL: FO formatted pages and establish comprehensive plans for structuring and managing content.

To Learn More
To learn more about XSL: FO publishing and Ingeniux CMS please email info@ingeniux.com or call our Solutions Group at 206-788-4305.