Pathagoras

Once an initial draft of a document has been created, it needs to be personalized to meet the needs of the particular client or customer for whom it was created. That is the role of the Instant Database module.

Scan for variables: After you have assembled a document, the [bracketed variables] contained in the source document(s) are carried over into the draft currently on the screen. Use the <Scan> feature of Instant Database to locate each [bracketed variable] and to present them only an easy to complete 'replacement screen.' Provide the replacement text in the spaces provided and press <Next> to tell Pathagoras to replace each variable with the appropriate personal value.

Personal Data Records: You can save the variable to personal data pairings into a Personal Data Record. The next time you compose a document for the same client, the saved personal information can be reused.

This is the 'Database' part of 'Instant Database.'

No separate intake form required: The Instant Database approach used by Pathagoras to find, present and complete document variables separates Pathagoras from all other major document assembly programs. It does away with the need for you (or a system administrator) to pre-design a client/customer intake sheet, trying to 'guess' what all of the possible variables in a particular document might be.

Pathagoras is unique among all of the major programs in its ability to self-generate an intake sheet. It simply scans the underlying document and presents the bracketed variables onto an easy to complete work screen. The user need only provide the personal replacement values for each variable. Press 'Next' and the replacements are made. Quickly and accurately.

This is a major time saver, not only early on in program setup, but later in program use. If the interview worksheet required by other programs fails to include a particular document variable, document assembly grinds to a halt while the interview sheet is edited to include the variable. This will never happen with Pathagoras. If a Personal Data Record does not include a variable needed to complete a new document, just Scan the document. Any new variables are instantly added to the bottom of the list where they can be completed. And saved for another day. Frankly, we cannot think of an easier way to collect and store customer and client data needed for your documents.
Calendar features: Pathagoras offers a built in calendar. If the variable contains the word 'date' in any form, a button to activate the calendar will present. The user can click on a particular date and that date will be inserted into the replacement field. The user can perform 'date math' using addition tools provided in the calendar screen.
Calculator features: Pathagoras offers a simple calculator feature. If variable "A" and variable "B" are numeric values, variable "C" can be determined by composing a simple formula that can be maintained in a 'mask' (see discussion of 'masks' below).
CSV storage of Personal Data Records: Pathagoras saves its data in Comma Separate Value ("CSV") files. The benefits are two-fold.
- CSV files can be read by other programs, so data put in once via Pathagoras can be readily used by other programs --database or otherwise -- that have the ability to read CSV files.
- Pathagoras can read data from other programs that has been exported to a CSV file. Many Pathagoras customer export selected information from their main databases into a CSV file stored in the folder where Pathagoras looks for its data. After a document has been assembled and ready to be personalized, the user simply calls up the Personal Data Record.
  
  NOTE: If there are variables in the document that are not in the exported record (and that is frequently the case since most database systems do not attempt to store all variable data needed by every possible type of document), the user can simply Scan the document for the remaining variables. Pathagoras will find them and put them at the end of the variable list. The user then provides the personal information and completes the replacement process. Nothing could be easier.
'Spell out' features: The IDB module provides tools to expand numbers to their 'spelled out' equivalents. So "$22,150" and be transformed to "Twenty-two thousand one hundred fifty and 00/100 Dollars."
The world is your library: Since there are no underlying codes or fields that tie you to a specific program, any document and any term composed on any computer or derived from any source, is automatically 'Pathagoras ready.' Many 3rd party sources distribute sample forms and sample text with placeholders for personal information denoted between bracket. All of those documents are readily useable by Pathagoras.
- So, if any document has variables denoted by [brackets], you are ready to roll.
- Even if those markings aren't present, Pathagoras plain text editing make it easy to add them

Masks: When you scan a document, the order in which Pathagoras will present the variable it finds will be in the order 'discovered' during the scan. This may not be the most logical way to present the variables for completion. Pathagoras allows you to reorganize the entries, add completion tips and save the result as a 'mask' (which is in the nature of an intake sheet. This mask can be easily edited for clarity, and it can be associated with various types of documents which contain the variables of the mask. Multiple masks can be created to take into account for the various types of documents that you firm or company produces.