About Enfocus Switch

Enfocus Switch is a modular software solution that allows you to automate tasks, such as receiving files or folders, sorting them and routing them to a particular process or folder.

Modules

Switch consists of different modules:
  • A core engine module, which offers the basic functionalities, and
  • A number of additional modules that you can purchase if you need more advanced functionality.

The table below gives an overview of the different modules.

Module Description
Switch Core Engine
  • Provides the basic functionality for receiving, sorting, routing and tracking of files.
  • Enables PDF-specific handling like splitting and merging of PDF files.
Configurator Module
  • Allows you to use a number of third-party applications in a Switch flow, such as the Adobe Creative Suite and other applications that are often used in the graphical industry. For a list of all supported applications, refer to the Configurator Module documentation.
  • For each of the supported applications, Switch offers a configurator which streamlines the connection between Switch and the application concerned, and controls the output destination of the processed files.
    Note: All supported configurators are available by default, but you must have an active license for the third-party application to be able to use the configurator. For example, you can only use Adobe InDesign in a Switch flow if you have an active license for Adobe InDesign.
Database Module
  • Automates the communication between databases and Switch, without the need for additional scripting.
  • If you have purchased the Database Module, the Database connect flow element becomes available and allows you to integrate a database into your Switch flow, i.e.:
    • Use values from a database.
    • Read, write, update and delete information in a database.
    • View database values through the Switch Web Portal.
Metadata Module
  • Allows you to use metadata information stored in XML or JDF tickets, stored as XMP data, or stored as a dataset in some custom file format (opaque dataset).
  • If you have purchased the Metadata Module, the Metadata flow elements become available, allowing you to:
    • Use metadata wherever Switch uses variables, for example to route files or process jobs dynamically.
    • Update or add information in XMP packages.
Scripting Module
  • Allows you to use scripts and script expressions in Switch.
  • Scripts can be developed with SwitchScripter, a Switch application component that comes with the Switch core engine. You don't need an active license for the Scripting Module to develop scripts; however, to use them in Switch (using the Script element), you do need such a license.
  • If you want to write scripts for the integration of third-party applications in Switch, you also need to buy the Configurator SDK. Contact Enfocus for more information.
SwitchClient Module
  • Allows you to access the Switch Server remotely. You can:
    • Submit jobs to Switch flows (via Submit points)
    • Review and route jobs (via Checkpoints)
  • You can either use this functionality through the Switch Web Portal, or through your own custom job client.
  • The SwitchClient Module comes with 5 concurrent user licenses, meaning that 5 users can access Switch through a web interface at the same time. Additional client licenses can be purchased if necessary.
Switch Web Services Module
  • Allows you to design custom Switch client interfaces with existing applications or web-based interfaces. For example, you could build an interface to allow your customers to submit files straight from your company website.
  • The API is well-documented and can be found on the Enfocus website.
Performance Module
  • The Performance Module offers additional processing capabilities, i.e. an unlimited number of concurrent processes as well as advanced performance tuning.
    Note: The Switch Core Engine allows up to 4 concurrent processes; you can also buy a specific license key for additional concurrent processes. For more information, please contact your local Enfocus reseller or sales@enfocus.com.
Note: When you install Switch, all modules are installed by default, but you have only access to those for which you have entered a license key.