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PDF files are indispensable in business, but it's a rare PC user who doesn't encounter the Adobe file format at some point, and PDFs will certainly become more common, not less. Developers offer a dizzying array of PDF tools, often bundled together for greater value. One such bundle is Docudesk's PDF Essentials Plus, which combines the company's deskPDF Professional PDF authoring tool with deskUNPDF Professional, its PDF conversion utility. The combination allows you to create feature-rich PDFs that are fully compatible with Adobe and other PDF applications, as well as convert PDFs to various formats, including Word and Excel documents, HTML, and image files.
This program integrates two similar tools in one interface, but deskUNPDF's interface is the primary application, whereas deskPDF installs as a printer driver accessed from your print menu. This helps keep things simple and straightforward and enables the program's unique capability to print documents in 15 different output formats instead of just as PDFs. The interface itself is a clean, up-to-date design with black and gray tones and Vista-style highlights for a businesslike look that doesn't resemble an appliance repair manual. The program offers some other unique features, such as Accu-Text, which claims highly accurate content extraction. We can't say offhand if it extracts more data than its competitors, only that we had no complaints whatsoever with the quality of the PDFs it produces, or the converted files, for that matter. We were surprised to see it even fully supports the open-source OpenOffice format, something we applaud since it makes this tool that much more capable and compatible.
We've tested a lot of PDF utilities, and most do a pretty good job at their highly focused tasks. The difference comes down to value, flexibility, and ease of use. On each of those measures, PDF Essentials Plus hits the mark.
Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1. The trial version is limited to 30 days only.Publisher's Description
From Docudesk:
Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus bundles deskPDF Professional with deskUNPDF Professional. deskPDF is our well-established PDF creation product which provides the ability to create rich Adobe compliant PDFs from any application. deskUNPDF Professional complements deskPDF, by allowing users to convert PDF's back into various formats including Microsoft Office Word and Excel, HTML, Image formats and more. deskUNPDF utilizes our Accu-Text extracting content from PDF's with the highest fidelity available. Also unique to Docudesk is the ability for users to use deskPDF to print to any of the 15 available output formats provided with deskUNPDF Professional, not only the PDF format.
What's new in this version: Version 3.0.1.1 provides compatibility updates for customers using x64 versions of Windows.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 34 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 14 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Don't do it! They'll leave you high & Dry!!!"
Version: Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1
Pros
It was easy to download and get started.
Cons
Support went seriously downhill. They force you to upgrade but the upgrades prevent the software from working so then couldn't use PDF at all. They promised a fix but it never came. They simply ignored my requests for bug fix or money back. BUYERS BEWARE!!!
Summary
Buyers Beware!
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"no good - only 1 window open at a time"
Version: Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1
Pros
deskPDF editor does allow annotation of pdf's
Cons
only 1 window can be opened at a time making combining pdf's incredibly painful.
they reneged on their money back guaranteeSummary
Don't believe the reviews you read. deskPDF editor/studio is not a substitute for Acrobat & the company is a ripoff. ONLY 1 WINDOW CAN BE OPEN AT A TIME! I've been looking to upgrade my Adobe Acrobat 8 on the Mac but didn't want to pay through the nose for Adobe. I saw and ad online from Docudesk for their deskPDF software which offered a money back guarantee on their suite of 3 products - deskPDF creator, editor, & exporter. The reviews looked pretty good (4 -5 stores everywhere I looked), the list of companies which supposedly used Docudesk impressive, & $65 was a lot less than the $112 price to upgrade to the latest Acrobat Pro (w/ an academic discount). deskPDF creator is completely superfluous on Mac OS X. deskPDF exporter sounds like a good idea but I didn't really try it out b/c deskPDF editor turned out to be so useless. The main things I wanted to be able to do were to annotate PDF's (highlight, comments, etc), delete &/or crop pages, & merge multiple pdf's. deskPDF editor did make it possible to annotate & edit a single pdf, but it has a fundamental problem in that only 1 window can be open at a time, making combining multiple pdf's extremely difficult (not impossible, I admit). I couldn't imagine any modern piece of software behaving like this, but that's what deskPDF does (or doesn't rather). Realizing that it was totally unsuitable & assuming that Docudesk would honor their money back guarantee, I contacted them. Absolutely no response. My mistake for taking Docudesk at its word. deskPDF sucks
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"Worked Great, Confusing line of products"
Version: Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1
Pros
File migration from PDF to Excel, filled out and back to PDF was great. The trial page limit was easy to work around to test it. I like to pay for good software. This is a great company with great products as far as I can see.
Cons
PAYING is a pain. There are 4 products with no cross comparison chart. Even after writing and getting friendly responses, I can not figure out what I must buy to have all features. Please make one package priced to get all features and then sell your separate products. Please make a chart that shows all features cross referenced to the products. As soon as I can figure out which I need I will buy them for myself and for a couple of my employees to start.
Summary
Just what I needed. Excellent clarity and simlicity. Conversions are much better than I have seen in the past. These will save my company a ton of time.
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"Docudesk is a winner"
Version: Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1
Pros
Thoroughly delighted with this product. Simple to use and results are spot on every time. I was impressed with the website when I found it through searching, and am equally impressed with the software itself. When making the purchase I experienced a problem using the payment processor but Docudesk customer service was fast, friendly and sorted in no time. Such a pleasant change from so many other vendors these days. Highly recommended.
Cons
None so far
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"Delighting a customer"
Version: Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1
Pros
Excellent product with great customer service backup.
I have been using Docudesk products for a few years and find the software decently priced, reliable and fitness for purpose. It meets all the definitions of great quality.Cons
I could not find any bad points regarding the software or technical backup.
Summary
If you too want to be "delighted" I would advise you to buy their products.
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"Excellent and easy"
Version: Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1
Pros
Being a 50-something old fella, I need software that holds my hand in the things I do on my computer. Docudesk's pdf software does all that and more. And why is being able to produce a pdf file so important to home users, you might ask? Well, I use it to send paperwork and other printable files and photos, as a pdf file, to other users and don't have to worry about what systems they are using - they get the stuff just as I designed it.
Cons
Nothing yet.
Summary
Highly recommended for the home user.
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"I hope to learn more about this product as I use it."
Version: Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1
Pros
I had a question several weeks ago about my Docudesk program. To my utter amazement, I received two replies within less than 30 minutes with easy-to-follow instructions. I'm no computer whiz, so simple instructions are vital. When the head honcho takes the time to respond to a customer, I have to say that I'm totally impressed. Thanks to your quick response, I have now downloaded the $49 upgrade you offered. I would not normally take a chance on unfamiliar software, but I feel confident that any problems or questions I might have will receive the same courteous and speedy replies. Keep up the good work, and I'll be a customer for life!
Linda FesselCons
So far, I have nothing negative to say about the product.
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"Excellent Product"
Version: Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1
Pros
Does what it says it will do very well, have been using Docudesk products for many years, cant fault the product or service
Cons
None at all
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"Great product!"
Version: Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1
Pros
Easy to use; creates quick, clear pdfs - always. Quick and easy to install - really excited about the new editing feature available - the ability to combine pdfs is terrific! Also really appreciate the friendly and extremely efficient and helpful service I've received when I didn't understand how to do something. Great product, great company!
Cons
Until they created the editor (which they have done) I couldn't combine pdfs without printing. But now I can!
Summary
Really impressed with the products and the company.
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"Can't go wrong with Docucom!"
Version: Docudesk PDF Essentials Plus 3.0.1.1
Pros
Great product, great customer service.
Cons
Can't think of a one!
Summary
I've been using Docudesk products for over 10 years with TOTAL SATISFACTION! Started out with Docucom deskPDF, moved up to Docucom deskPDF Pro, Docucom Essentials and look forward to using the deskPDF Editor. Simply Awesome!
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