Scalable Route To Auto Workflow Management

The new Enfocus Switch 08 products are claimed to provide a scalable route to create and manage the infrastructure of an automated workflow system.

And the products are said to do so whilst using standard software from major manufacturers to provide specific functions.

According to Positive Focus, Switch can integrate with existing proprietary workflows, to supplement the features, and it can also be used in graphic arts and publishing where traditional pre-press workflows do not extend.

With a common interface and penalty-free upgrades between family members, users can start with simple file handling and gradually build an 'intelligent', scripted flow that can automate repetitive tasks, or provide standardisation in the way files are handled, added the company.

Expanded scripting in Powerswitch now features built-in support for database connectivity, SOAP and web services, Zip compression and decompression, and image and PDF statistics, for example and more.

Positive Focus said that Switchscripter has also been improved.

Variables allow users without scripting experience to access advanced features and a new preview facility shows the value of variables for real jobs - which is claimed to make it easier to pick the correct one to insert in a flow.

Additional variables can pick up external metadata (JDF, XML and XMP).

Positive Focus said that Switch 08 can now implement real job priorities to fast track a job through a flow.

Hot folders and FTP and e-mail receive tools can be scheduled to automatically activate in a pre-defined time window.

Jobs can be picked up without removing them from the folder or FTP server.

The company said that Switch 08 implements a number of new configurators (including an Ultimate Impostrip Ondemand and an EFI Colorproof XT configurator) and upgrades the available tools to work with latest product releases.

There is a new re-name and job assembler tool and new tools to link flows on different computers.

Positive Focus added that time limited demonstration downloads of all three Switch 08 products, for PC or Mac are available from the Enfocus website, or on request from Positive Focus, as well as any Switch authorised reseller.

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