Here we see an Enfocus Switch 08 video, with six customer case-studies on why they choose this print workflow automation tool:

Markzware’s FlightCheck Professional is a key part of Switch flows (PowerSwitch, LightSwitch, etc). Watch here how you can automated preflight with Switch and FlightCheck in the same flow or production workflow. You can find many flows on the Crossroads page, which helps with integration:

In this MarkzwareTV video tutorial, we will not only learn how to preflight with Markzware’s FlightCheck, however also how to automate things. Using EskoArtwork’s SWITCH, FlightCheck Professional can be turned into an even more powerful workhorse.

Naturally, everyone needs a copy of FlightCheck on their desktop, as it helps you not only find print problems, but navigate right into the problem within the source application. This being said, there is also a need for preflight checks as part of other automations or workflows and SWITCH provides an easy way to set-up and use FlightCheck within such flows.

Here is part 2:

It is nearly impossible to make a truly standard, yet open (i.e., allowing many and any customers in) design-to-print workflow; but their are standard tools, tips and tactics to make things flow properly. Here was a great post on the PrintPlanet forum asking for preflight, prepress and general workflow help. It reads:

Basic Workflow Standardization
“I am a print shop manager in an in-plant. One of my biggest problems is fonts. Most of the documents I get are from Word or uneducated Publisher users. Some other problems are users creating a two-color jobs in CMYK and black text not being pure black. Currently we handle everything we get on an individual basis, but it is getting completely out of hand. I need to start putting in place some systems to handle some of these problems

Is there a easy way to convert documents to pdf with the correct specifications before I get them? For example is there a pdf print driver that I can put on my web site or push out to everyone on my network that it will create a pdf to my specifications so I do not have to worry about fonts or poor resolution? If so how much does something like that cost?  Read more... (373 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

Just received my Pro2col newsletter today in the Apple Mail in-box and this caught my eye, especially for those receiving layouts & graphics, packaging layout, layouts software for print, or layouts design print jobs from various sources:

Dramatic savings – Printers’ file delivery/preflight workflow

In the current economic climate where marketing budgets have been slashed and margins are tight, making savings are key.  This workflow enabled the printer to completely automate the file delivery, preflight check, notification process and further expand the workflow into other areas.
Source: http://www.pro2col.com

Using an Enfocus Switch (FullSwitch or LightSwitch) workflow, one can also easily and quickly integrate FlightCheck Professional. Which will be updated for Adobe InDesign CS4 and QuarkXPress 8 support within the coming weeks!

Want to set-up your own Preflight Workflow, which could also link in with what Pro2col has created? Watch here this video of FlightCheck and FullSwitch from Enfocus in action:

We read here some exciting news about a new update to Enfocus’ SWITCH 08, of which Markzware are Crossroads partners. We read:

“Enfocus has released Switch 08 update 6, a new update for its Switch product line. The Switch family of products, which includes LightSwitch, FullSwitch and PowerSwitch, lets users automate repetitive tasks, helping them standardize their work and reduce errors.

“This new update is a rapid response to the changing demands of the market, and includes support for a new configurator. Our partnership with ColorLogic resulted in support for ZePrA, which allows us to close the gap between manual color conversion of PDF and pixel files and usage in a complex workflow,” said David van Driessche, director of marketing.”
Source: http://www.wide-formatimaging.com/

FlightCheck Professional can be automated via a SWITCH workflow and they have several example flows on their web page. Here is a nice video showing you how to get your workflow automated preflighting with SWITCH and FlightCheck:

Automating FlightCheck with SWITCH (Part 1 of 2)

Here is a nice interview, unfortunately only in Dutch, of a FlightCheck Professional and Enfocus SWITCH user. In any event, some nice workflow diagrams and those that do not speak Dutch, you can watch the two part overview on how FlightCheck can work within a SWITCH flow here.