*** From the Archives ***

This article is from October 21, 2008, and is no longer current.

Zevrix Releases BatchOutput Server for Adobe InDesign Output Automation

Zevrix Solutions announced today the release of BatchOutput Server, a new powerful output workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign. The software automates printing and exporting to PDF and PostScript by processing InDesign files from network-based hotfolders. BatchOutput Server automates, simplifies, and streamlines output workflows of publishing houses, printers, prepress service providers, ad agencies, magazines and newspapers. Platform independent, it can process InDesign files from both Mac and Windows PC computers.
BatchOutput Server was originally developed for a major magazine publisher in the United States. They approached Zevrix about developing an automated solution that would free up their operators’ computer from outputting InDesign files after their market research failed to find suitable tools. BatchOutput Server was thoroughly tested on site to ensure it met the demands of a fast-paced publishing production workflow.
BatchOutput Server saves companies countless hours that are lost each year because operators have to wait for InDesign to print and export files. With BatchOutput Server, production and layout artists, prepress operators, proofreaders, retouchers and designers simply copy files to hotfolders that reside on the network. BatchOutput Server automatically outputs the files from its dedicated station using hotfolder settings, and will auto-activate document fonts as well. Operator workstations will never again be tied up by the output process.
BatchOutput Server also allows for a single set of output settings for an entire workgroup, solving problems caused by inconsistent settings across workstations and dramatically simplifying support tasks. Wrong output settings on user stations are a source of significant monetary losses for companies that can spend hundreds of dollars in wasted printing materials and tens of thousands on reprints.
Production managers and operators can monitor all BatchOutput Server activities from their own workstations using the BatchOutput Server Monitor application. Processing errors are handled automatically, with the added feature of skipping files with common problems. The program will also notify managers and administrators of errors and other user-generated events via the email notifications feature.
BatchOutput Server also includes the following features:
* Output InDesign documents as single page PDF and PostScript files
* Update modified links automatically during output
* Variable output file names
* XMP variables which allow for base output settings on the InDesign document XMP metadata
* Detailed logging of all activity
Pricing and Availability:
BatchOutput Server runs on Mac OS X 10.4.2 or later (including Leopard), a Universal Binary, and works with Adobe InDesign CS, CS2, CS3 and CS4. Files can be submitted from both Mac and Windows PC computers. BatchOutput Server Monitor requires Mac OS X 10.4.2 or later. BatchOutput Server can be purchased for an introductory price of $499.95 (USD) from the Zevrix Solutions website, as well as from authorized resellers.
Zevrix Solutions: https://zevrix.com

James Fritz is a Principal Program Manager: Content Tools and Workflows at LinkedIn.
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