Here is a press release from Alfresco Software. The associated white paper downloadable from http://www.alfresco.com/media/whitepapers/ is recommended reading. I will be writing soon with a closer look at this development.

LONDON—July 26, 2006—Alfresco Software Inc., the first provider of an open source enterprise content management solution, today announced full Open Document Format (ODF) support through its ODF Virtual File System. ODF is an open, XML-based file standard suitable for office applications and designed for managing features in text, spreadsheet, charts and graphical documents.

Alfresco's ODF Virtual File System offers a simple shared drive interface to any office application. Microsoft Office and Open Office users alike can save or drag content into intelligent drop-zones, where rules and actions transparently convert incoming content into the ODF vendor-neutral format. Documents can automatically be sent through a controlled review and approval process and also have records management rules applied to them.

The ability to share documents across organizations without being tied to the technology, strategy, pricing and decisions of a single supplier is critical for businesses and government agencies today. The ability to access content without having a format and technology imposed on all users is equally important. Alfresco's ODF Virtual File System addresses these key issues.

"Documents need to be shared across governments and citizens without imposing one proprietary format and vendor on everyone," said John Newton, chief technology officer, Alfresco Software, Inc. "Alfresco's ODF Virtual File System makes document sharing vendor-neutral and addresses issues such as long-term archival and future-proofing rights to access content in a non-proprietary, royalty free way."

Alfresco's ODF Virtual File System will be available on July 27, 2006, from the latest Alfresco Community Network build on http://sourceforge.net/projects/alfresco as 1.4 ODF Preview. A White Paper is also available on www.alfresco.com.