Focus on Preflight and Automation Technology
At Graph Expo in booth 444, Enfocus is demonstrating the industry’s leading preflight and automation technology. Attendees may view private demonstrations of the latest versions of popular Enfocus software including new Enfocus Switch 13, PitStop 13, and Connect 13.
New product highlights are as follows:
New Enfocus Switch 13
The powerful Enfocus Switch is a modular and open software solution that gives companies of all sizes and budgets a streamlined way to manage files and their associated business processes.
Switch also integrates and connects to third-party applications in a workflow, as well as to processes and departments outside of production, such as MIS and database automation.
The Switch Messages Viewer - Switch operators or other stakeholders can now view Switch log messages via a web browser from anywhere, rather than logging in to Switch Designer. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Explorer are all compatible. No installation, nor is an additional license, required.
- This new tool allows users to:
- track production whenever and from where they like
- view, sort and search messages
- export specific search results in a csv.file
- bookmark filters for re-use
Improved User Experience –To help users build concise and user-friendly flows, Switch today contains a powerful toolset to make sure flows are clearly understandable and recognizable by everyone.
Numerous developments on the UX front began as of Switch 12 update 3; e.g., an important flow documentation feature, which
- allows the flow creator to apply colors to elements and connections (thereby making it easier for other stakeholders to see)
- allows creation of descriptive fields for flow elements, which display as a tooltip when the flow is activated
- exports flows to HTML pages, where every element and connection is clickable, and takes the reader to a clear description of every event (e.g., flow name; description; creation date; the flow image as shown on the canvas; and the properties of all elements in the flow).
Significant Speed Improvement – Updated File Handling tools. Beta users reported significant speed improvements while using the updated file handling tools in Switch 13. Users report that Switch 13 is up to 4 times faster (depending on the configuration) while assembling Job or Hold Jobs, and even 7 times faster (depending on the configuration) while using the Split or Merge PDF tools.
Compatible to the new Windows 10 operating system. In addition, Switch 13 contains the Invisible Grid: a highly appreciated UI-improvement. It is now easier to align flow elements in straight and neat flows. No additional aligning is needed; thereby also eliminating wasted time lost to (re-) organizing flows.
New Enfocus PitStop 13
Checking the quality of PDF files before printing is absolutely essential to ensure a correct result. Preflighting PDF files – checking and correcting errors before going to print, without having to go back to the designer or native application – has become standard practice in the industry. This avoids costly reprints, keeps production moving and the presses rolling.
The breakthrough release of Enfocus PitStop 13 provides a substantial upgrade to the PitStop preflight engine, giving printers the PDF quality they need for smooth, efficient production. Users report that the features included in this release solve their most problematic PDF quality challenges, such as missing bleeds and the ability to limit quality checks or fixes to certain parts of a file, making the process more accurate and specific.
Available as either a subscription or a license model, PitStop 13 Pro provides, as one customer describes it, “More production, more efficiency, and easier communication.”
PitStop Server takes the same power of PitStop Pro to an automated level, allowing the user to inspect and correct PDF files using a convenient, hot folder server-based architecture. PitStop Server CLI can, as of version 13, convert PDF files to images, and output PNG and JPEG files. This is particularly useful for those customers who need to re-purpose PDF files or need thumbnail images of PDF files for use online, within other tools.
New Enfocus Connect 13
Answering the need for better document and metadata exchange and communication between graphic design and premedia, production, and print, Enfocus Connect was developed because:
- Preparing files for print can be a hassle.
- File delivery methods can be confusing.
- Consistency and quality of jobs saves production time.
- It’s become the responsibility of the printer to “make it work”.
Connect addresses these issues by focusing on ease of use for designers, and control for print service providers.
