[Zope] newbie needs advice on where to use zope

[Sells, Fred]

I realize that to a man with a hammer, every problem is a nail, but...

I've been tasked to produce ~50page contracts with a little dynamic
information inserted into the appropriate fields.  This will run on a linux
server and must generate PDF files.  These contracts actually consist of
multiple packets, with different signature and distribution requirements.
Parts of the contract will vary from state to state.

I originally did this job a year ago using xml, xslt and fop.  While that
worked well, it required that all changes had to come to me and then I would
edit the xml.  While that does lead to job security, it's not the type of
job I would like to secure ;)

I am receiving the boilerplate  in OpenOffice format. and was considering
using the python UNO bridge to openoffice or a mailmerge script.  Although I
have not used OpenOffice before, it is one of our company standards.

Part of the problem is that the dynamic data resides in a legacy system that
can only be accessed via HTTP.  Also these contracts will be done
individually, as required at our various field facilities.  Furthermore I
have little freedom to change appearance, due to various ~legal issues.

So after all that rambling, Is Zope a viable tool or am I killing a gnat
with a cannon?  I have installed both zope and plone in the past, but never
used them for more than playing around, so I am concerned about the learning
curve.  One thing that did appeal to me was that there needs to be a formal
approval cycle for changes to the boilerplate, and I seem to recall that
Zope is good at that.

Are there any prebuilt freebie zope applications that would give me a head
start, or any good starting points in general.  I'm very familiar with
Python.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information contained in this message may be privileged and / or
confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is
not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
have received this communication in error, please notify the sender
immediately by replying to this message and deleting the material from any
computer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------