What does Switch do?

Switch removes the repetitive tasks associated with receiving and sorting files. It automatically downloads files from one or more FTP servers, receives them as email attachments, or handles hot folders. It then sorts files into different folders or transmits them to the appropriate staff in a flexible manner so that each is ready for processing or archiving.

Switch sends notification emails to your customer service representatives or even directly back to clients whenever needed. Switch can also deliver files through email or FTP to the next step in the workflow. FullSwitch and PowerSwitch automatically interface with third-party applications used within your company.

All of this functionality is driven by the visual flow editor that is the core of all Switch products. The flow wizard allows you to create flows by answering a few questions or import sample flows that are ready to go. In addition, the full power of the visual editor can be used after the flow wizard is finished to make adjustments or expand the flow.

What are the benefits of Switch?

Switch removes the repetitive tasks associated with receiving and sorting files. It automatically downloads files from one or more FTP servers, receives them as email attachments, or handles hot folders. It then sorts files into different folders or transmits them to the appropriate staff in a flexible manner so that each is ready for processing or archiving.

Switch sends notification emails to your customer service representatives or even directly back to clients whenever needed. Switch can also deliver files through email or FTP to the next step in the workflow. FullSwitch and PowerSwitch automatically interface with third-party applications used within your company.

All of this functionality is driven by the visual flow editor that is the core of all Switch products. The flow wizard allows you to create flows by answering a few questions or import sample flows that are ready to go. In addition, the full power of the visual editor can be used after the flow wizard is finished to make adjustments or expand the flow.

Why choose Switch?

Customized automation: Many workflow applications on the market come with a predefined idea of how your company should go about its business processes. This is NOT the case with Switch! Switch offers an easy-to-use visual interface enabling processes to be automated using simple drag-and-drop features.

Easy integration with existing systems: Switch allows your company to continue using those applications on which it already relies. Simply integrate Adobe Acrobat Distiller, Enfocus PitStop Server, Quark XPress, and many other key publishing applications into existing workflows. These flows can instantly create PDF files, preflight documents, and correct or proof colors as needed.

Scalable system: Switch is suitable for any kind of company, large or small. Whether your company uses a simple flow for file handling or an advanced flow that relies on multiple configurators and links to other business software, Switch always pays itself back.

Reliable, even in demanding environments: Switch is designed to guarantee robust and reliable operation in any type of environment. Data security is absolute during all file transfers.

Switch is available in three versions:

LightSwitch is designed for small publishing companies that wish to free up time for more creative tasks by automating file reception.

FullSwitch is ideally suited for larger publishing companies seeking greater integration among their various software applications.

PowerSwitch is primarily designed for use in more complex environments.

The video below shows an overview of Enfocus Switch 10

The table below summarizes the main features of the Switch 10 product suite:

PowerSwitch — advanced workflow building

PowerSwitch uses comprehensive scripting and metadata tools enabling IT administrators to build a smarter and more advanced workflow that integrates seamlessly with third-party technologies.

Intelligent processing enabled by metadata tools

Workflows can often be made more intelligent by taking advantage of the metadata that is increasingly stored within documents. PowerSwitch provides tools to read incoming metadata in various formats including XML, Adobe XMP, and JDF. The contents of metadata fields can be used in flows to make routing decisions or to set processing parameters for automated tasks.

Customization through full scripting support

With PowerSwitch, IT administrators can create customized tools to control third-party applications that are not supported out-of-the-box, to integrate with a DAM or MIS system, or to interact with a proprietary solution running in the company. All the possibilities of scripted tools are built into PowerSwitch; it is even possible to customize icons. PowerSwitch supports JavaScript (on Mac OS X and Windows), AppleScript (on Mac OS X) and Visual Basic Scripting (on Windows).

System Requirements

Switch 10 supports the following operating systems:

FullSwitch — integration of third-party applications

In addition to the LightSwitch features, FullSwitch introduces configurators that enable third-party applications such as Adobe Acrobat Distiller, Adobe Creative Suite, Enfocus PitStop Server, and many more to be integrated easily into a flow. Setup and automation of such applications is fully controlled from within FullSwitch. The visual editor makes it as easy to work with configurators as it is to work with built-in tools.

System Requirements

Switch 10 supports the following operating systems:

LightSwitch contains all of the basic features required to automate the downloading of files from one or more FTP or mail servers. It automatically sorts received files and sends them to the relevant location or staff according to the defined workflow. LightSwitch also delivers files through email or FTP to the next step in the workflow. The flow wizard allows users to easily create and modify workflows.  LightSwitch also offers professional activity logging and job processing statistics to help your company locate critical points in the workflow.

System Requirements

Switch 10 supports the following operating systems:

Pre-flight allows us to check that the items within the file or files are able to be produced to the best quality for the desired media.

Pre-Flight is ideally carried out by those submitting the file for print. The problem is that Pre-Flight is not an exact science. What may be OK for some customers would be an issue for others,  a basic example of this is the resolution of an image. The case may occur that an image is of unsuitable resolution to be produced at optimum quality but this does not mean that the image cannot be produced at the lower resolution. The decision should quite clearly be made by the originator as to proceeding with the job.  The second most common issue is that of images supplied in an RGB colour space. In the whole print is a CMYK process and RGB images require converting from RGB to CMYK somewhere along the line.  Although these files can and often are converted within the Prepress process the conversion used is not always optimum.

Quit clearly the responsibility for supplying a file with the correct parameters is best left with the originator if they require a consistent and predictable result.

Hot folders within the workflow can be used to attach a list of predefined processes that require little or no human intervention. Files can be submitted to Hot Folder by any user that has access rights.

Any automation project has to take in to account the abilities of the existing prepress workflow as this can be used in conjunction to provide advanced automation.

There are many improvements that can be achieved by automating aspects of the file delivery process. Many companies rely upon a mixture of file delivery processes to receive customer files these methods often include CD packages supplied by postal services, files arriving by e-mail, files arriving by FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and those uploaded via web sites.

Problems can occur when we have a mismatch of file receiving options. In the past printers in general relied upon smaller numbers of jobs with longer run lengths to fill their daily production schedules but with the onset of digital technologies and easier access to quick print, customers are requiring smaller runs and quicker turnaround times. Those still adopting systems of receiving and handling files that are out dated may have issues with managing the amount of jobs required to keep up with the production requirements of modern day digital print systems.

For example internal sales receive a file for a job that needs to be printed the next day. As they do not have the necessary skills or software to detect any potential issues with the file there is a need to forward the file to  a member of staff that has the required skill and access to the software to check the file is ok for print.  The member of staff receiving the file is busy carrying out other tasks so he does not have the time to look at the file. Hours go by and the customer that supplied the file originally needs to know the file is ok as they have to go to a meeting.  Eventually the member of staff checking the file has a chance to look at it and finds problems. The sales person contacts the customer but he by now is in the meeting and the deadline for print is missed.

So let’s look at the same scenario with a small level of automation involved.

• Scenario 1  The customer sends the file as in the original example, the sales person takes the file and submits it to an automated PDF file checking program.  The file checking program lists the problems in the file within a report. The report is automatically e-mailed back to the sales person and forwarded to the customer. The customer checks the report and carries out any adjustments required and a new file is created. The new file is submitted to automated file checking and is ready to become a production job.
• Scenario 2 The customer logs on to your internal FTP system, they fill out a form and upload the file into the system. The file is checked automatically and the resulting report is e-mailed directly back to them, any file issues are resolved and the file is supplied ready for print. Internal production receives an e-mail with the details of the form filled out by the customer.
• Scenario 3 The customer receives an application from you that checks the status of the file prior to submitting into you company.  Only files that meet the requirements are received guaranteeing the smooth processing of the file within your workflow.

A basic template is created for a 4up A4 press defining the numbering scheme for the first 8 pages. This template is then suitable to be used for any amount of pages equally devisable by 8.

This is extended by allowing multiple templates to be used at the same time. EG: 12 page job that requires a single 8 page sheet-work signature and a single 4 page work & turn signature.

To push the level forward some of the imposition software doesn’t require you to have a fixed page size so the same template can be used for multiple page sizes and multiple amounts of pages.

So what levels of automation are currently available to improve on the semi-automated methods above?

Hot folders can be defined with some software to automatically process the job based on the assigned template. This can be beneficial but can be difficult to manage outside of a Prepress workflow as it becomes difficult to track the status of the job and it’s history. But can work well in some companies depending on the type of work they produce.

Traditionally within print the process imposition has been carried out by the Prepress department. Production planners or estimators would manually fold dummies of how a product needed to be positioned on the sheet to fold correctly defining appropriate gutters between the pages.

Modern systems allow us to move the process of imposition to the production planner or estimator. Impositions can be digitally created based on folding requirements, various jobs can be combined to reduce paper and plate usage and the imposed data can be sent directly to the prepress workflow bypassing manual folding dummies and additional input from prepress staff.

By implementing such systems there are clear savings in time and reduction in errors.

• Automation reduces errors by using predefined procedures to carry out reparative tasks.

• Unskilled staff are able to carry out processes that in the past would require skilled personnel.

• Reduce mundane and repetitive tasks allows you to focus on more creative and productive areas of your business.

• Offer additional products and services.

• Automated solutions don’t sleep, increase your business hours.

• Standardised automated processes can help achieve consistent quality through product ranges.