An important release for PitStop Server: Enfocus is beginning the transition to the next generation of PitStop Server, which will be available in 2022.
The next generation will be built on a Switch platform. The aim is not to remove functionality, but to add features and new capabilities.
Installing Switch
As part of this transition, you receive an installer for a new application: Switch Core, on which the future automation component of PitStop Server will be based. You are free to install and use this new application as part of your PitStop Server maintenance agreement.
Please note! Enfocus Switch in combination with PitStop Server only applies when you have an annual subscription or a valid maintenance agreement.
Your PitStop Server will continue to work exactly as it does now for the next two years. You do not have to change anything in your current production workflows, unless you want to.
You now also have the option to use Switch Core alongside your PitStop Server, for extra automation. Files can be delivered to the underlying PitStop Server engine via:
the traditional PitStop Server hot folders;
the new Switch Core workflows;
both methods at the same time.
The transition period gives you time to migrate your current PitStop Server workflows to Switch-based workflows. A long transition period is set up, with interactive training webinars to help you.
Switch tools and functionality
During the transition period you can experiment and migrate your workflows step by step to the Switch platform. A great opportunity to re-evaluate workflows with the new tools of Switch:
flexible 'build your own' workflows (not limited by the old PitStop Server folder structure);
file-format independent, not limited to PDF;
browser-based job overview;
browser-based job tracking (flow stages);
automatic receipt and delivery of files from/to FTP;
automatic receipt and delivery of files from/to email;
additional variable types for preflight (text with variables and document variables);
sorting and routing files by file type, file name, job and document variables;
renaming and archiving files;
splitting and merging PDF files;
zipping and unzipping;
conversion of PDF to image formats (JPEG/PNG);
composite and separated image output from PDF;
access to the Enfocus App Store for extra functionality (WeTransfer, Dropbox, and so on);
access to specific PitStop Server apps (for example 'Split layers').
How does the migration work?
Switch Core is installed on the same computer as your PitStop Server and does not need to be licensed separately: it recognises your PitStop Server 2020 licence. Switch Core works with any file format, not just PDF, can run independently of PitStop Server, and automates preflight and PDF correction.
The webinars and training introduce you to Switch Core from the very beginning. Do you have questions or concerns about PitStop Server, the transition period or the next generation? Get in touch with Germen Kroon or Jeordy Bouck.
