Ouch … yes, it's regrettably rare to come across companies that actually want things done better <g> I'm very fortunate to have been recruited by one. Better yet, one of my managers asked me to discuss options with two new consultants _before_ they started their documentation project: structured XML (DITA) to .pdf was the option they liked best. My preferred DITA IDE will ouput DITA source as .rtf and .pdf (among other formats); drawback if "tinkering" may occur is that the DITA elements are not used as style names.

Let's keep on trying! In the meantime, we can dream about Sharepoint with DITA Exchange … [no hyperlink, to underline the fact I have absolutely no connexion with either product]