*** From the Archives ***

This article is from February 27, 2008, and is no longer current.

Enfocus Announces Product Updates

Enfocus (https://www.enfocus.com) announces important updates to some of its key products. PitStop Server, a tool for high-volume PDF preflighting and automatic corrections; Instant Barcode, an easy-to-use barcode application within Adobe Illustrator; and Instant PDF, which makes producing press-ready PDF files easy.
“Customer feedback plays a key role in enhancing our products,” comments Leo Vanderdonckt, Enfocus Product Manager. “One suggestion was to make the PitStop Server user interface even easier to use. We have reworked it completely, allowing easy access to all major functions, while delivering a more intuitive working environment for new users.”
Enfocus PitStop Server 4.5
PitStop Server 4.5 provides end users with a more intuitive, reworked user interface. It allows easy access to hot folder setups, files in process and a comprehensive history log. Changing the priority and enabling, or disabling, a hot folder is only a mouse click away. The history of processed files, including detailed report information per job, can easily be filtered and exported in different formats for statistical analysis.
The new server-based processing function enables PitStop Server 4.5 to run as a service on Windows and a login item on Mac OS X 10.4. It allows users to start processing jobs without the need to launch the PitStop Server 4.5 user interface. Once up and running, the new PitStop Server WatchDog operates as a background application, keeping the workflow active at all times.
With a more powerful hot folder function, entire folders can be processed all at once. Users have the option to process files in subfolders and recreating the original folder structure at output, or having it flattened. The renaming filename option allows essential information to be reflected in the filename itself. It is also possible to import and export hot folder setups as an Enfocus hot folder file – an excellent solution for backing up workflows or deploying another PitStop Server installation.
Version 4.5 provides a number of other extra features. There is support for multiple processors and compatibility for Windows Vista. Security has been boosted with the option to lock the PitStop Server monitor for operators. The e-mail notification function has been expanded and improved with full control over both subject and body of any email message.
Instant Barcode 1.5
Verify, fix and read barcodes in Adobe Illustrator with Enfocus Instant Barcode. It supports the most commonly used barcode systems. Instant Barcode is completely compatible with Adobe CS3. The barcode preflighting capabilities allow advanced quality control. Instant Barcode generates comprehensive preflight reports in plain text, HTML or XML.
Measure and validate existing barcodes by simply ‘swiping’ the mouse cursor over a code. Through visual feedback on the quality of the codes, Instant Barcode provides a reliable solution for both barcode creation and verification.
Instant PDF 4.1
Producing press-ready PDF files becomes easy for creative professionals with Instant PDF 4.1. Using award-winning Enfocus Certified PDF technology, it is a simple and reliable way to create PDF files that comply with print or advertisement vendors’ specifications. This includes PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3 and Ghent PDF Workgroup industry standards.
New in version 4.1 is Adobe CS3 compatibility. The “Save as Certified PDF…” file menu option is now available for Adobe InDesign CS3 and Illustrator CS3. Creative professionals continue to be productive in their familiar environment, without leaving their applications. Instant PDF 4.1 takes care of the creation, preflighting and modification of PDF files where necessary.
To send files to a print provider easier, Instant PDF 4.1 has new, improved email Server Account Settings. These make it possible to provide a user name and password when connecting to a mail server for sending e-mails. Mac users will find Instant PDF 4.1 completely compatible with the latest OS X 10.5 (Leopard) version.
Pricing & availability
PitStop Server 4.5 is available at the end of February 2008 and is a free update for PitStop Server 4.x users. A single user version costs 2499E . Upgrade from PitStop Server 3.x: 649E (single user), upgrade from PitStop Server 2.x or previous versions: 1299E.
Instant Barcode 1.5 is available at the end of February 2008 and is a free update for Instant Barcode 1.x users. A single user version costs 249E.
Instant PDF 4.1 is immediately available and is a free update for Instant PDF 4.x users.
A single user version costs 299E. Upgrade from Instant PDF 3.x or previous versions: 69E
All Enfocus products are available for download from www.enfocus.com or via the distributors and resellers.

David Blatner and Anne-Marie Concepción are the co-hosts of InDesignSecrets.com, publishers of InDesign Magazine, and producers of The InDesign Conference.
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