Global Graphics sets PDF creation tool free

gDoc Creator and gDoc Fusion boast a simple drag-and-drop interface

Global Graphics has made its gDoc Creator tool available as a free download, providing knowledge workers with no-cost enterprise-grade PDF creation for the first time, according to the firm.

Launched earlier this year, gDoc Creator can output files as PDF, PDF/A, or Microsoft's XPS from any Windows application that prints, or convert existing files using a drag-and-drop user interface.

The tool was available previously at a price of £49, while a free-to-download version added a watermark across all PDF files created. As part of a refocus of its strategy, Global Graphics has now made the fully functioning version available as a free download for individuals [click here], with corporate licensing available for organisations.

"Offering so much functionality for free will drive adoption in large enterprises at a time when their budgets are under extreme pressure. It also makes the basic free PDF software tools obsolete and puts real pressure on low-end paid-for PDF software," explained Global Graphics chief executive Gary Fry.

The company’s premium PDF tool, gDoc Fusion, will continue to be licensed, but with a new price structure starting at £200 per seat for one to four licences, falling to £111 per seat for up to 99, while licensing will be negotiable for upwards of 100 seats.

gDoc Fusion has all the functions of gDoc Creator, but adds the ability to assemble a document from multiple sources, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF and XPS documents, plus image files such as JPG and Tiff. Click here to see our review of gDoc Fusion.

Companies using the free gDoc Creator will be able to evaluate the capabilities of gDoc Fusion, according to Fry, and Global Graphics is aiming to use this to convince customers to upgrade.

"When an enterprise realises the productivity benefits of the full version of gDoc Fusion, it’s a very simple process to then upgrade," he said.

Additionally, all customers who registered gDoc Creator before 30 November will also be able to claim a free upgrade to the full gDoc Fusion product, according to the firm.