Developer’s Checklist: Choosing a High-Performance Document Conversion SDK

Summary: Choosing the right document conversion SDK is a critical decision for businesses looking to integrate robust document processing capabilities into their apps. This blog explores factors to consider, from understanding the different types of conversions to evaluating key features like rendering quality, security, and scalability. We'll look at various use cases for document conversion, provide a list of considerations, and cover frequently asked questions to help you make an informed choice.

Documents are at the heart of business operations and being able to convert those documents easily from one format to another is an essential requirement. A document conversion Software Development Kit (SDK) is a powerful toolkit that provides the necessary APIs, libraries, and code samples for developers to embed document format capabilities directly into their apps and workflows.

This toolkit allows you to programmatically convert files like PDFs, Office documents, HTML files, and various image formats without relying on external software or manual processes.

The types of conversion you should look for will depend on the specific needs of your business. For example, if you’re only converting Office files to PDF, your needs will be different than if you’re converting CAD files or converting to PDF/A for archiving due to regulatory requirements. A robust SDK should offer a wide range of conversion options to handle more complex document conversion needs.

For more information on the Document Conversion SDK, see our documentation page.

When evaluating document conversion solutions, you must look beyond basic functionality. The ideal SDK should not only convert files but also easily integrate with your existing systems, scale with your needs, and maintain quality and security standards.

Does the SDK support the file formats I need?

The SDK you choose must support all the necessary formats for your specific business needs. This includes standard formats like PDF, Word, Excel, and image types, as well as specialized formats like CAD and PDF/A. Apryse’s SDK, for example, supports the conversion of over 30 file types to PDF, ensuring broad compatibility.

How good is the rendering quality?

Rendering quality is a key measure of an SDK's accuracy in preserving the layout, fonts, images, and formatting of the original document. For complex documents, a high-quality conversion is essential to maintain the integrity and visual consistency of the original content. Poor rendering can lead to misplaced text, distorted images, and a poor user experience.

What security features does the SDK offer?

When handling sensitive or confidential information, security is a must. The SDK should offer features such as encryption, digital signatures, password protection, and redaction capabilities.

Is the SDK scalable?

The SDK you choose must be able to handle the workload required by your business. High volumes of documents and complex operations must be handled efficiently without sacrificing performance. Look for features like batch processing and multi-threading, which allow the SDK to convert large numbers of documents at high speed. The SDK should be able to grow with your business and handle increasing loads without high conversion costs.

How well does it integrate with my existing systems?

A new SDK should seamlessly integrate with your current systems. Look for solutions that provide ready-to-use code samples and are available in a variety of programming languages such as Java, Python, and C#. A flexible document conversion API is also crucial for customizing the SDK to meet your unique use cases.

Are developer support and documentation readily available?

Comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and developer support help make a smooth implementation and they can significantly reduce development time and help with troubleshooting.

Does it help me meet compliance requirements?

Many industries, from healthcare to finance, are governed by strict regulatory standards. The SDK should help you adhere to these standards, such as ISO 27001 for information security or ISO 19005 (PDF/A) for archival.

What additional features are included?

Beyond core conversion, consider features that can add value to your app including document generation, comparison tools, and interactive features such as forms and annotations. These additional capabilities can help streamline workflows and improve user engagement.

What is the total cost?

Evaluate the licensing model and overall cost implications. This includes the initial licensing fee and potential future costs associated with scaling or adding new capabilities.

To see our Document Conversion SDK in action, check out our live demo.

What are the benefits of converting a file to a PDF?

PDF format is hardware and software-independent, making it an excellent format for sharing information. They also support advanced features like encryption, digital signatures, and customizable user access. PDFs also allow for significant file compression without quality loss, making them ideal for archiving and secure collaboration.

What document types can be converted with an SDK like the Apryse SDK?

A powerful SDK should handle a wide range of document types, including popular formats like Microsoft Office documents (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX), PDF, and images (PNG, JPEG). A top-tier SDK like the Apryse SDK can also convert specialized formats like CAD files (DWG, DXF) and medical images (DICOM), while preserving high-quality output.

Why convert to PDF/A?

PDF/A is designed for long-term document preservation and archiving. It’s widely used by legal institutions to preserve contracts, by government agencies for historical records, and by healthcare providers for patient records. PDF/A ensures that documents are reliably accessible for decades, regardless of changes in technology.

Can PowerPoint and Excel files also be converted to PDF with the Apryse SDK?

Yes. Apryse’s Office to PDF Conversion SDK allows for the high-quality conversion of DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files on any platform or browser, without requiring users to have Microsoft Office installed. You can also convert Office files to other formats like PDF/A.

Why do I need a document conversion SDK and not just a file converter?

A simple file converter is a standalone application, while an SDK provides the building blocks to integrate conversion capabilities directly into your own software. It allows for automation, customization, and seamless integration with your existing workflows, giving you full control over the conversion process.

Choosing the best document conversion SDK is an important decision that can significantly impact your app's functionality, performance, and security. By understanding the various types of conversions and evaluating the key considerations we’ve just looked at, you can select a solution that not only meets your current needs but also scales with your business as you grow.

For businesses seeking a powerful, reliable, and high-quality solution, an SDK like the Apryse SDK addresses all of these considerations, providing cross-platform support, a wide range of conversion options, and robust security features to power your document-driven apps.

Try it out for yourself with our live demo or start your trial now.

You can also contact our sales team for any questions and for support and discussions, check out our Discord community.