FileCenter for Windows

User Reviews

• cute interface but surprisingly....no tags!!!

  technoprincess99February 4, 2014

  Pros

  I really like that this deals with files in their native format, without locking you into a proprietary database.

  Cons

  However options for categorizing files are limited. It basically mimics the structure of files in Windows Explorer, without any options to tag individual files. (Of course, you can edit the keywords of a file as you could in Explorer, but there is no visualization of tags in a tag cloud.) It does let you pin folders to virtual 'advanced folders', but this adds nothing to what you already have in Explorer.

  Summary

  Until tags are introduced, this should be marketed as a Windows Explorer replacement, rather than a true document management system.

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• Great product!

  February 27, 2013

  Pros

  I have tried a lot of document managers suitable for private use or for small companies. This is definetly the best one. It is very easy to learn. I have used Paperport before, but FileCenter is much better. Most document managers use a database. That is very risky. If you cant continue with the application you can lose your documents or have a lot of documents with strange names and all in the same library. That would be a catastrophe. FileCenter uses Windows standard filesystem, which is a huge advantage.

  Cons

  None so far. Perhaps a little expensive for home users.

  Summary

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• Great at what it does

  FunkyBrewsterDecember 7, 2012

  Pros

  Auto scanning of two-sided documents even if your scanner only scans one side at a time Can create profiles for quickly switching between scanning different kinds of documents Easy to use and fast Use can fully access the scanner driver dialog settings to tweak the image quality

  Cons

  License only allows use on one computer

  Summary

  Got it on sale for $45 because I needed to scan a lot of duplex documents to PDF and it works great. Also the image quality of PDFs is much better than with what came with the scanner. The standard edition can't re-arrange pages of a PDF file (only append) -- but I don't know of any software in this price range that does. I think this is more of a problem with the proprietary PDF format.

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• OK, but not prime

  Brian6760August 8, 2012

  Pros

  Nice layout and the intent is just what the doctor ordered. Files are stored as PDFs so if the program or company goes kaputt, you won't lose your data. You can still get in and edit using Adobe Acrobat. Expensive, but oftentimes necessary.

  Cons

  From other Amazon reviewers, it would appear a great boon - and it is. The company Web site price of about $45 is OK for what it does. If you're just starting this type of file storage, go for it. If you're a long-time user of PaperMaster, there may be a some disappointment. It doesn't convert PM files well, if at all. I got nothing except a report that the cabinet HAD converted successfully. It created the cabinet alright, but nothing was in it. I was expecting a reproduction of the contents of my PM files. No luck. I had to re-boot and then delete the folders, one at a time, from the bottom up, re-booting each time. I had a similar problem trying to get rid of unwanted scanned files and files 'printed' from applications. I just don't have the time to troubleshoot all the quirks encountered, so it's going back on the shelf. I don't mean to be totally negative. It IS a great leap forward for those needing an affordable electronic filing system and starting from scratch.

  Summary

  MAY be OK for some users. But I'm hesitant to commit large quantities of files to it. There's a need for a low-cost document management system, but this one is not quite what I think I need. Try the free version and make up your own mind about it.

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• Decent, somewhat limited program... terrible support

  ellen28July 23, 2012

  Pros

  I have been using this program for 2 weeks. The screen is similar to Windows Explorer, with splits for folders, files, file preview, and "cabinets". I really like and need being able to see previews or thumbnails of files. The scan to PDF feature allows "print to" from within other programs (just make sure to install the print driver at the time of installation). Scanning within the program can use the program's interface, or take you to your own scan screen, and then right back to FileCenter. OCR capability is built in, but I have not used it yet.

  Cons

  The "Professional" edition costs $199 on their website and is needed to access any meaningful PDF features. This pricing is steep for a single, personal user (non-business). The "standard" edition is discounted down from $99 to $49. But the standard edition is way too basic for me to find useful. For example, the standard lacks the capability to combine PDF files or even delete individual pages from PDF files that were created in FileCenter. This capability is the main reason that I needed to purchase the pricier "Professional" version. The standard version does not have the ability to zoom in or reduce, only to fit to page. I wasn't able to find an "undo" feature in the standard edition. But there are 3 different buttons for rotating an image that look like "undo" buttons. [I havent yet figured out the "cabinets"]

  Summary

  As a very long-time user of PaperPort, it was finally time to move on. This program looks like a decent program with a somewhat goofy interface. However, after I purchased the "Professional" edition for $199.95, there were technical problems in the activation process. I almost never contact customer support, but needed to this time after already purchasing the product. I am quite computer savvy, but they wrongly blamed the difficulties on me! Outright nasty. If they always blame the customer, they may not have any new customers for this decent product. And we long time users of PaperPort are looking for a new game in town.

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• Most impressive word data organizer I have ever seen.

  Squint92543January 11, 2012

  Pros

  Greatly speeds up & simplifies text data files. You don't have to organize just one way, but can take many alternative, intuitive approaches to organize your files. It works extremely well with document scanners providing for each scan to be quickly and appropriately filed and named.

  Cons

  In the trial version at least, it appears that I am unable to delete a file in File Center, but must go to Windows Explorer to delete. Sometimes it seems that Windows Explorer does not "see" a folder or a file that was created and appears in File Center. Being dependent exclusively on File Center to find what may be a critical file, it would be necessary to make current and frequent backups of the entire program and data. However, I am still exploring further about this idiosyncrasy; perhaps there is another way.

  Summary

  An exceptional, reasonably priced program

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• I no longer need Paperport,Adobe-FileCenter does it all

  bobbygrimshawFebruary 3, 2011

  Pros

  Powerful feature set that's easy to use. PDF editor is excellent, includes form filler, sticky notes, electronic signature, stamps, highlighter, etc. Makes bulk scanning seem easy. Cabinet structure makes for intuitive organization.

  Cons

  I was a little confused as to how to get PDF's into the FileCenter Editor to make annotations and touch up my docs. And, although it does auto-deskew during scanning, FileCenter does not have a deskew in the editor which was a little disappointing.

  Summary

  This is the perfect solution for our small office. We were tired of Paperport, which crashed far too often and didn't work over our network. We were happy to find that FileCenter has far more "file management" features than Paperport, is far more stable, and actually works (flawlessly) across our network. FileCenter also doesn't use a back-end database to hold our data (much like everything else out there these days) and keeps all of our data in it's native format.

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• Excellent! Use it in my law office.

  filesuitJuly 18, 2009

  Pros

  Easy to install - Easy to use. Can save to Filecenter form any other application.

  Cons

  None that I can tell!

  Summary

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• Wonderful document manager (its not $299 - its $69)

  jgiebelerMarch 15, 2006

  Pros

  It has a nice interface - with cabinets, drawers, folders, and files - works with the save command of most programs, previews common files so you don't have to open them, and they have a wonderful support staff.

  Cons

  None - I love it...I seldom use explorer now.

  Summary

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• Much Improved (Even though I liked the first)

  lawmamaJuly 26, 2005

  Pros

  If you are using FileCenter for scanning, this new version has fantastic new features the let me automate scanning and it is all full text searchable. myfilecenter on the web is where you can find out more. They even have free tutorials.

  Cons

  My scanner is not fast enough. I like the software so much that I wish to have a faster scanner so I can rip through my paper.

  Summary

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