ActiveDocs has announced a new module for its document automation and template management software, Opus, that delivers closer integration with SharePoint.

The module gives SharePoint users access to Opus document automation without leaving their SharePoint interface. When a SharePoint user needs to create or finalise a document stored in the SharePoint repository, ActiveDocs Opus recognises the message coming from SharePoint through an extended web service.

ActiveDocs Opus creates the document for the user through a wizard. Once the document is created or modified, the SharePoint workflows are invoked for routing or storage.

The integration allows ActiveDocs Opus to be used to create documents which are then stored and routed for approval in SharePoint.

Having ActiveDocs Opus available throughout approval and revision cycles also retains the complex business logic that ActiveDocs Opus enables users to apply to documents. If Opus were not integrated into SharePoint workflows, users would either lose that business logic or they would need IT to create SharePoint applications to retain it.

"SharePoint is expanding as a document management platform, but creating and modifying documents in SharePoint can require back-end application development that many companies don't have the resources for," said Faine Mende, president of ActiveDocs North America.

"Our ActiveDocs Opus SharePoint module lets users move seamlessly between ActiveDocs Opus document creation and SharePoint document management. They get the best of each solution."