Enfocus Switch 10

Established in 1993, Belgium-based Enfocus, a part of EskoArtwork, announced the release of its latest Switch suit version 10. This version of workflow software solutions that automate repetitive tasks, allows publishing professionals to focus on creativity and add value to their businesses.

New and enhanced features within Switch 10 give the printers and publishers more robust automation, greater depths of data security, and the ability to extract more value from existing information sources and third-party tools.

Switch automation software is available in three versions, depending on users’ needs: LightSwitch for smaller publishers, printers or ad agencies; FullSwitch for larger customers seeking greater integration with third-party applications; and PowerSwitch for more complex graphical environments.

"When Switch is at the heart of your company, you’re looking for continuity, predictability and security, and that’s exactly what we want to deliver with Switch 10. It takes care of the entire pre-press requirement," comments Hemanshu Desai, director at Venus Infotech which represents Enfocus in India.

Desai adds: "Users will also be able to save valuable time and money through the seamless integration of Switch 10 with third-party business software and databases."

Enfocus has been in India over a decade now, but is better known for its PitStop Professional and Server software products. PitStop Switch was introduced in India after Drupa 2008. Since then, there have been five installations at media and publishing firms like HT Burda, Business Standard, Express KCS, Thomson Digital and the latest being The Times of India (TOI) with orders for two different locations.

Key highlights
Version 10 of the Switch product suite provides printers and publishers with even better control over workflows in complex and demanding environments. Each of the new features contribute to optimal business continuity, high security standards and enhanced client service. It has an easy-to-use visual interface where you automate your processes using simple drag-and-drop.

A workload visualiser continually tracks whether network loads, file volumes and other critical parameters remain within workable limits. The tool informs users of any risk of system overload by means of a simple indicator. Switch also gives the monitoring tools to locate the cause of the warning.

The Switch engine has been updated to handle processes separately. This means that issues with a specific script or configurator can be isolated and will not affect any other process.

Enhanced security
Switch 10 enables secure data transfers by integrating the secure file transfer protocol (SFTP). This protocol ensures that your company’s files are safely sent and received over the internet.

Users can also count on the new SwitchProxy module. This proxy server ensures business continuity: clients can always deliver the data to the company’s server even while it is being maintained or updated.

Open platform
Switch’s biggest USP is its openness. It is both format- and vendor-neutral, meaning it will accept any file type and integrate with any application, including those from competitive vendors. This means that it can link to and automate the existing applications rather than replacing them.

"Instead of reinventing the wheel, we integrate with the applications used in our industry. We sometimes see Switch being put in front of high-end workflows just to get the files in, filter them out and make sure that everything’s handled properly before they send them to the system. Once you’re in the system, RIP time is limited, so you want to almost pre-prepare all these files before they’re handed over," says Desai.

Time and money saving features
Switch 10 optimally uses existing information and tools to help the company to save time and money. The solution gets more out of existing databases by automatically using relevant information from other business software such as MIS and ERP systems. The new version makes integration even easier through the database connector module.

Switch 10 improves the handling of third-party configurators and allows to update a plug-in as soon as a new version is published on the Crossroads website. It comes with an improved core engine, which is capable of handling multiple simultaneous processes.

Desai says: "The Switch 10 has an engine for the future. Now, if the FTP is causing problems or you have a third-party application that’s causing a problem, it will not affect other tasks – everything will continue to process independently."

Alternative
There are no direct rivals to the Switch range that offer a simple visual tool for automating third-party products into a single workflow.

Using scripting offers an alternative route to achieving the automation of Switch, but it requires specialist knowledge, and removing the need for those skills was one of the main reasons Switch was developed.

Automated pre-media workflows from the major vendors are not considered direct competitors to Switch, due to their inability to automate a far broader spectrum of the tasks required in print and publishing.

In addition, Switch is available at a much lower cost and due to its flexibility, may fit a user’s exact needs more precisely than an off-the-shelf system.

Availability
According to Enfocus, the Switch 10 is available and for the clients already using the Switch and those who have the maintenance contract, the upgrade will be included.

Enfocus Switch 10