Compare to HotDocs® and others

Templates: In some document assembly programs, including HotDocs® and GhostFill®, a ‘template’ refers to a complete form or document. These types of templates are complete documents. They contain every possible text variation that might appear in the final product. Questions are built into the template and these questions are activated when the document is displayed. By answering the questions, you advise the program either to retain text when it is needed or to pare away the text when it is not. Pathagoras actually provides for this method of document assembly, but does not use the name ‘template’ to describe it. If this is the type of 'template’ you were hoping to read about, that subject is discussed in the section entitled: "<<*Options/Optional*>> text”.

With Pathagoras, you build a document on a blank template. When you activate document assembly, the template that provides the documents underlying ‘shape’ is automatically called and laid out to receive the clauses you selected in the Clause Selection Screen. The selected paragraphs are quickly ‘poured’ into that template. (The template can be one that was assigned under the Document Assembly Settings for the particular book from which clauses are being called. If no template has been assigned for the book, Word’s default ‘normal.dot’ template is used.)

Data entry forms: Pathagoras' approach to data entry is quite different from all others.

With almost every other program, the data entry form must be pre-constructed and 'locked down' before it can be used. With other systems:

•	The system administrator must know in advance every variable that will be used in the document.

•	The system administrator must then manually prepare a form that will capture each of the variables, and associate this form with each document for which it might be used.

•	If a variable is omitted, or a variable is later added to the document (a frequent and expected occurrence), the sequence must be repeated.

•	If a new document has variables not contained within the data entry form, or an existing document is augmented by adding text that contains new variables, it cannot readily be used until the administrator re-writes the form to account for the new variable.

•	Adding more variables cannot readily be done by the end-user. It is a system administrator's task. It is not done while the end user is within Word. Rather, the master program (HotDocs, Ghostfill, Exari, etc.) must be called, the source intake sheet must be brought up, edited and re-rendered.

•	The sheer number of steps that must be performed (and amount of time that it takes) lead some just to say 'forget it.'

The preparation of, and the limitations of, the data entry form, are the most cited 'frustrators' regarding the 'other guys.'

With Pathagoras, no pre-designed data entry form is required. Pathagoras has none of the limitations stated above. Pathagoras can scan any document for bracketed variables and present what it finds onto a completion form which requires no design work by the operator. This is called ad hoc data entry.

That is not to say that a pre-designed form isn't useful. Pathagoras allows the user to create a form which allows the operator to control the order in which variables are presented for completion, and to provide completion tips and examples. This form is called a 'mask.' But here, again, is where Pathagoras shines:

•	Creating a Pathagoras mask requires no programming skills.

•	Creating a Pathagoras mask is done entirely within Word. It uses the same IDB screen that is used in other aspects of the program.

•	If a particular document contains a variable that is not in the mask, Pathagoras can readily handle it ad hoc. Just press Scan. Pathagoras opens up another space for the variable and its replacement text, an nobody misses a beat.

•	If the user so desires, any new variable(s) can be readily added to an existing mask and saved in a matter of seconds.

Timing of data entry: Most, if not all, other major programs require that you enter a client or customer's information before the document is created. The customer must actually be selected before you are allowed to select the document you want to prepare. This is to allow an unbreakable link between the client and the form, and does have some arguable benefits. Pathagoras finds the 'unbreakable link' concept not compelling, and its consequence too restricting. Pathagoras allows you to build any document at any time, and allows you to input client information at any time.

HotDocs® is a registered trademark of the LexisNexis Corporation
GhostFill® is a registered trademark of Korbitec Inc.