WoodWing Software int roduces Smart Connection Enterprise v. 3.3
WoodWing Software, the industry’s leading developer of Adobe InCopy® and InDesign® plug-in solutions, today announced the introduction of the newest version of its acclaimed Smart Connection Enterprise plug-in. It’s Smart Connection Enterprise version 3.3, and with a host of new features and improvements, it’s made a great editorial solution even better.
This powerful new version of Smart Connection Enterprise (SCE) has been beefed up with a variety of features that make it even more useful and efficient for users and workflow administrators, along with several additions that can be used through the Web.
SCE is a highly scalable open source and database-driven editorial workflow solution. It serves complex workflows and environments, where searching files and/or the content of a story or specific keywords or metadata is required. The system is very open and out-of-the-box, and supports three databases: MySQL, MS SQL and Oracle. Users can also integrate other SQL databases. The server supports Windows, Mac OS X and all kinds of Unix systems, including Linux and Solaris. SCE relies on a three-tier architecture to ensure scalability and flexibility, with all business logic centralized on the application server.
“Smart Connection Enterprise was the industry’s first and only editorial solution based on open-source technology,” said Erik Schut, president of WoodWing. “Because it was created with an open platform, the list of available features can be quickly expanded. We worked with our clients to make this powerful workflow solution even more efficient. It’s an invaluable tool for anyone who works with InDesign and InCopy.”
Among the features that are now part of SCE v. 3.3:
- PLAIN-TEXT ARTICLES SUBMITTED THROUGH THE WEB.
A writer with Web access anywhere in the world can submit his articles directly into the database, even if he doesn’t have InDesign or InCopy.
- AUTOMATIC VIEW UPDATE.
The results of a query now get automatically updated when the status or other fields change. A special “Hot Box” query can keep the user in constant touch with what’s happening.
- AUTOMATIC PDF GENERATION.
No more having to worry about manually generating a PDF when the project is done: SCE v. 3.3 can automatically generate a PDF when the document is designated as finished.
- INCOPY TEMPLATES.
SCE v. 3.3 allows the user to create pre-styled InCopy templates that writers can then use before a page is even designed.
- XML GEOMETRY.
For intermediate updates, essential geometry information is put into small update packages and stored in the database, instead of saving large InDesign files. This speeds up production by allowing InCopy users to write to fit – especially when they are working remotely over the Internet.
- ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEGES FOR EACH PUBLICATION.
Administrator privileges can now be granted on a publication-by-publication basis, not just globally.
- VERSIONING.
Smart Connection Enterprise has always saved past versions of documents in the database, but now these versions are instantly available to the InCopy and InDesign users from the palette, and can be made the active version if desired.
- FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE WORKFLOW.
Database fields now can easily be added or changed by the system administrator. Enterprise has always had the ability to customize workflows, but now query, save, and check-in dialogs can be customized. The palettes themselves can also be customized for each user’s work habits. Every workflow dialog can be fully customized and even differ per object type.
- ABILITY TO COPY DEFINITIONS.
This time-saving innovation allows administrators to copy the workflow and user privileges for a publication – instead of having to start from scratch – and then make small adjustments easily. This is especially helpful if one group is responsible for multiple publications.
- MULTIPLE FILE UPLOADS.
Instead of uploading articles, photos and graphics into the database one at a time, users can now upload multiple files at once. This feature is provided by a new client application called Smart Upload, which is shipped with the SCE server.
- SUPPORT FOR MICROSOFT OFFICE.
Users can upload Word and Excel files to the database, and place them in InDesign, or open them in InCopy.
- INSTANT MESSAGING.
Users involved in the workflow of a particular document – for example, the writers and the page designer – can easily send instant messages back and forth during the work process.
“Our customers were extremely impressed last year when we first introduced Smart Connection Enterprise,” said Brian Kruger, Director of WoodWing USA. “When they see the enhancements that have been made with version 3.3, they’re going to be blown away. This is going to be an invaluable editorial solution for publications of all types and sizes.”
About Smart Connection
The only open InCopy/InDesign publishing workflow solution in its industry, Smart Connection has over 6,000 licenses worldwide is available at three levels – Light, Pro and Enterprise – to accommodate publishers of any size and complexity. There are currently companies using WoodWing solutions in over 40 countries in six continents – covering a whopping 225-plus sites. WoodWing also boasts of 40-plus partners in over 20 countries.
About WoodWing Software
Since 1997, WoodWing Software engineers have worked with the Adobe InDesign engineering team to develop plug-ins and development services for Adobe InDesign and InCopy. Through a combination of publishing industry experience and a deep knowledge of the Adobe InDesign/InCopy architecture, WoodWing Software offers solutions, productivity tools and plug-ins that make publishing with these programs faster, easier and much more effective. Citigroup, Guardian Newspapers Limited and State Farm are just a few of the companies using WoodWing products today.
