Tags: Enfocus Switch

* New configurators add integration with Microsoft Word, media asset management, color management and cross-media management

Enfocus announces the availability of five new configurators for Switch 09. The Switch family of products enables users to automate repetitive tasks, standardizing their work and reducing errors.

Configurators make the process even simpler, allowing users to integrate applications they already use and automate third-party software application tasks without the need to manually launch those applications.

“To respond to the changing demands of the market, we are continuously expanding our partnerships to add more configurators to Switch,” says Elli Cloots, Director Product Management at Enfocus. “This also brings the new partners into the Crossroads community, a community built around Enfocus Switch automation solutions. All configurators in Switch link directly to the Crossroads website so users can immediately find information about that particular application and get answers to other questions they may have about the automation process.”

The Switch family of products makes it easier to create and edit workflows, with powerful tools for larger environments as well as ease of use for smaller environments. “We focus on higher efficiency and easier integration with third-party applications, as these are significant timesavers for our users. It gives our customers the ability to work smarter, instead of working harder, integrating the third-party applications of their choice into their workflows,” explains Cloots.

New configurator details

Microsoft Word, the world’s most used text editor, now includes a Switch configurator. This configurator allows all Word documents to be automatically opened and saved in PDF, XPS or PDF/A formats on Windows (using an add-on) and some other popular formats, directly from within Switch. It delivers automated file conversion from most common text formats – including doc, docx, txt and rtf – into press-ready PDF files in no time. This automated conversion, together with the automated execution of macros, greatly reduces the work load for printers and publishers as well as for other non-printing companies.

Elvis from DutchSoftware.com is a revolutionary Media Asset Management system for the media, creative and corporate communities. Using the Switch configurator, processes like image enhancement and color correction for Elvis assets can be automated and integrated into workflows. WoodWing’s Enterprise is a versatile publishing system that provides cross-media content management for the production of print and online publications for newspaper, magazine, book and corporate publishers. Linking this platform to Enfocus’ solutions further automates the delivery of multimedia content to a variety of output channels.

Both Switch configurators automate data processing, and create an integrated solution for brand owners and publishers to link the management of their assets with their processes. It offers a seamless transition between data storage and management on the one hand (asset management), and data processing on the other hand (Switch).

The new GMG configurator offers a workflow integration that enables fully centralized and automated color management with the GMG color management solutions ColorServer and InkOptimizer 4.6. It sends PDF, TIFF and JPEG files from within Switch to ColorServer/Optimizer, allows the set-up of parameters and receives status information (success, warning, error) to track all jobs in the entire workflow. The Switch Configurator is based on the GMG FlowConnect technology and enables job ticket-controlled, automatic and flexible handling of jobs. The configurator can also be used with other tools and configurators in a workflow. For example, users can combine the PitStop Server ‘preflight and fixing’ technology with GMG color management.

ICS Inc. provides remote color accurate soft proofing solutions to the graphic arts industry. Remote Director offers collaboration and press-side functionalities for virtual proofing throughout the workflow. Adding the Switch configurator gives customers the powerful combination of color calibration, accurate displays and remote verification with an integrated workflow solution. The configurator creates proofs and passes annotation and sign-off information from one place to another, integrating color calibration and accurate displays into the overall workflow.

Availability

The new Switch 09 configurators are supported in FullSwitch and PowerSwitch 09. If you are not a Switch 09 user, a fully functional time-limited evaluation version is available at no charge from the Enfocus website as well.

About Enfocus

Enfocus provides modular and affordable tools safeguarding job quality and enabling automation throughout the complete production chain. Innovative solutions improve communication between design and production while enhancing productivity and predictability through automation of routine tasks.

Step-by-step deployment dramatically increases added value without forcing users to completely rethink their way of doing business. Well-known brands include Instant, PitStop and Switch.

Enfocus is a business unit of EskoArtwork and has its headquarters in Gent, Belgium.

About EskoArtwork

EskoArtwork is a global supplier and integrator of innovative solutions for packaging, commercial printing, sign and display finishing and professional publishing. Its products and services help customers raise productivity, reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business.

EskoArtwork employs around 950 people worldwide. Its global sales and support organization covers Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Japan, and is completed by a network of distribution partners in more than 40 countries.

EskoArtwork is headquartered in Gent, Belgium, and has R&D and manufacturing facilities in 5 European countries, the United States and in India. The consolidated full year financials ended for 2009 with revenue of EUR 145 million and an EBITDA of EUR 23 million.