Open and Scalable ADF…Really?

What constitutes an "open" Automated Document Factory?

I see many ADF providers claiming terms like "scalable", "open" and "end-to-end", only to find out that those terms only apply to the portion of the ADF on their brand specific piece of hardware. I have a few thoughts regarding these terms:

• ADF solutions which charge to access the data on their server or require custom code to access this data are not "open"
• Solutions which must be customized or written on the client's floor, with extensive professional services are "proprietary", not "open"
• Solutions which create islands (device/brand dependent) of information are not "open"
• ADF solutions which only extend through printing or only through inserting are not "end-to-end"
• "Scalable" and "open" solutions allow users to add ADF solutions to existing processing hardware rather than requiring hardware upgrades or hardware replacement
• Scalable means to add or move solution components without proprietary customization and without losing already purchased solution components
• Scalable solutions allow integration with other software components (composition, workflow, transformation) without customization and without requiring vendor specific products

As you search out solution vendors for enterprise wide document integrity and worfklow automation, identify the business partners who are truly trying to improve your business rather than selling you your next piece of hardware.