The software, which was launched in 2010 as PitStop Connect, is intended to streamline the file preparation and submission process for designers and printers. Features include PDF creation, preflighting and corrections using the PitStop engine, custom job ticketing, and automated file delivery via FTP or Enfocus' Switch product direct to the printer or publisher.
The software allows printers to create custom applications for their clients called Connectors that encapsulate all the settings for PDF creation and job delivery, including colour, image resolution, fonts, bleeds and marks, and delivery settings.
The Connector is then downloaded in Mac or PC format onto the clients desktop, enabling the designer to submit files for printing via a simple drag-and-drop interface, or by selecting 'export to connector' from within Adobe Creative Suite applications. A built-in Adobe Normalizer also enables PDF creation from any application via a virtual printer.
If anything is wrong with the file the designer will get a report, at which point they can either correct any problems themselves or submit the file to the printer for correction by the pre-press department.
Enfocus said the latest version of the software features new workflow and control functions that allow users to specify delivery rules based on file type. The developer said this would make it easier for printers to control which file types they will accept before a customer submits them.
Other new features include expanded controls for PDF creation, a simplified XML job ticket format and support for all Enfocus PitStop preflight report styles.
"The user experience has improved a lot. We've listened to our customers and prospects and added some features like the drag-and-drop interface to improve accessibility," said Enfocus director of product management Bjorn Willems.
"We've also reduced the size of the Connectors - the file size used to be quite large and this has been optimised - and the Connector can now generate all of the pre-flight reports that PitStop supports."
As with previous versions, the software is available in three formats: Connect You, which is aimed at individual users and costs €149; Connect All, which enables the creation and sharing of Connectors across multiple users and costs €3,499; and Connect Send, which costs €1,499 and is also a multiple user system but does not include any pre-flighting (unlike Connect You and Connect All).
