Workflow Software's File Handling Cost Benefits

The latest Positive Focus software will use the Digital Print World exhibition to show how Switch 07 can provide cost benefits by automating handling files and managing print workflows.

Gradual Software has just released Switch 07 with an increased number of configurations for third party applications, improved metadata handling across the range and a re-designed interface with detail improvements to make creating, testing, sharing and operating flows easier, said the company.

Positive Focus's managing director, Ivor Dixon, commented: "Switch 06 has been steadily maturing since its introduction at the last Ipex exhibition, with nine updates over 18 months.

Now we have a full version upgrade that builds on that success by incorporating many of the things users and vendors have been requesting, including the ability to develop additional configurators by scripting.

We already list over 20 configurators." And he added: "This should see the number increase dramatically, as individual third party vendors and even end users can develop - and, with a simple licensing system, distribute - their own configurators." Gradual Software's Crossroads initiative, introduced at the same time as Switch 07, provides an environment where intending users can easily track down existing automation systems, with over a dozen third party vendors represented, covering disparate parts of the workflow, from file creation and transmission, through pre-flight, correction and proofing, to automated imposition and archiving.

Dixon explained: "Switch provides the glue to hold this environment together.

It is significant that, under the Crossroads umbrella, software manufacturers are willing to share a platform with their competitors.

The print service provider, or publisher is going to benefit from this with a more targeted workflow using the most appropriate products." He believes that it is easy to overlook consistent small savings on mundane tasks in an increasingly competitive printing industry.

And he added: "Saving a few minutes here and there, repeated many times each day or week, adds up to a sizeable amount of time, so the cost of automation can often be paid back in a very short period.

Staff can then concentrate on the jobs they are being paid to do, whether in creative work or production, so they are better motivated.

Automation, where the rules are written in to the process, also reduces the chance of human error." Dixon explained that Gradual Software has just put a calculator on its website so that print service providers and creative agencies can now use their own figures to calculate the sort of savings they may make.

If they want a more in-depth analysis Positive Focus, or one of its Switch authorised resellers, would be happy to explain the process to establish where savings can be made.

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