Capture Office Online has multilingual keywording capabilities, handles the latest IPTC and XMP metadata standards and provides batch-upload facilities for multiple file types, including images, PDFs, video and sound formats. Back-end functions include pricebook creation, invoicing, rights and royalties management, customized reporting and document preparation. There are also marketing, sales and e-commerce features. In addition, COO offers a three-tier security system and can be integrated with third-party products, for example, age fotostock's Technological Hosting Platform.

While the system can be used to manage and license any type of content, the three factors that make COO particularly attractive to stock agencies are: ease of use, integration of the Picture Licensing Universal System standards and Capture's experience in stock licensing.

To use the cross-platform system, the user needs only a Web browser. COO is also easily customized for use by agencies of varying sizes and diverse needs, from small production companies that need primarily image management functions to large agencies that handle a huge volume of digital assets and business tasks.

An effort to standardize common processes, such as keywording and rights management, was repeatedly raised by PACA conference attendees. While these tasks are an everyday part of the stock industry, agencies handle them differently. Capture's integration of the PLUS matrix as an option in the back-office pricing functionality is exemplary of the industry's slow but steady progress toward adopting a unified system. The PLUS media matrix enables COO users to specify standardized usage categories and generate relevant prices and usage codes. According to Capture managing director Abbie Enock, this functionality makes it easy for both sellers and buyers to understand, grant and secure image-use rights.

In addition to its software manufacturing division, Capture Ltd. owns the 15-year-old Travel Ink Photo Library, which provides the company with hands-on experience in image licensing. Travel Ink also serves as a testing environment for Capture's asset-management, back-office and other products.

Capture's eclectic client list includes Flowerphotos, Wishlist Images, the U.K. Department for Transport and Brooke Hospital for Animals. The 30-year-old Retna Pictures is among the newest customers; the London-based independent agency went live with an online Capture system last summer. According to Retna, the new system provides contributing photographers and agents with a fast, flexible and user-friendly service that monitors sales, delivers visual content to buyers and keeps track of transaction details.