Gradual Software Introduces LightSWITCH 06

IPEX (Birmingham), April 4th, 2006 — Gradual Software, specialists in software solutions for automating the publishing process, will present LightSWITCH 06 at Ipex 2006 (April 4-11) in Hall 7 on stand B50 and also in Hall 20 on stand B45. LightSWITCH 06 is the entry-level product of the new SWITCH product line from Gradual Software, which enables users to implement workflow automation solutions tailored to meet the production needs of individual work environments.

LightSWITCH efficiently automates one of the most common everyday tasks anyone in professional publishing faces: receiving and sorting files from clients and partners. Built-in tools can automatically check an unlimited number of FTP and email servers. Files are downloaded as they arrive and are sorted according to file type, naming conventions, etc. LightSWITCH can also respond to incoming files by sending notification emails that acknowledge receipt or report problems, and forward files as instructed to the next party.

The new product has already been tested in several print production environments and the results have been very positive.

Receiving and sorting files made simple

LightSWITCH can provide immediate benefits to all participants in the publishing world: printers, publishers, and ad agencies, each of whom handles substantial numbers of files each day. Customers typically upload files to an FTP server, send them via email, or physically deliver them on CD. These files need to be received, sorted, checked for completeness, and routed to the appropriate area. Once the incoming quality check has been performed, the customer expects a confirmation acknowledging receipt and confirming the acceptability of the files submitted. Automating this file handling process is what LightSWITCH is designed to do.

LightSWITCH can automatically download files from one or more FTP servers, receive them as email attachments, and work with and manage hot folders. Files are then sorted into different folders for further processing. File receipt notifications can be emailed to customers as needed, while LightSWITCH routes files via email or FTP to the next step in the workflow.

All of this functionality is driven by the visual workflow editor that is the core of all SWITCH products. The Flow Wizard makes the task of creating flows as easy as answering a few simple questions. And the full power of the visual editor can be used after the Flow Wizard is finished to make adjustments or expand the flow. While a more complex, full-feature workflow system would be overkill for these basic tasks, an easy-to-use yet robust automation package such as LightSWITCH is ideally suited.

Key benefits of LightSWITCH are:

Provides savings through automation of file reception and traffic management
Reduces repetitive tasks and frees up staff for more creative work
Improves client communication through automated receipts and error alerts
Offers user-friendly setup with the option to customize as needed
Automates file retrieval from multiple FTP sites
Easily supports email-based file submission
Receives files sorted in folders based on file type or naming convention
Protects investment with clear upgrade path as automation needs increase

Multiple platforms and easy upgrades means better ROI

From the initial release, all members of the SWITCH family will be cross-platform, running under Mac OSX 10.4 and higher (both Power PC and new Intel-based Macs), in addition to Windows 2000/XP Professional and higher. This capability enables all-Mac environments to benefit from tailored workflow automation, while delivering the same advantages to mixed-platform workplaces.

LightSWITCH is available at an affordable price of £549, or EUR 750. To facilitate a smooth growth path to expanded workflow automation capabilities, LightSWITCH users can upgrade to FullSWITCH, the next level of automation, by paying the difference in price at any time.

Thanks to its affordable price, LightSWITCH can deliver a measurable return on investment typically in less than a month, based on labor savings alone. The ROI benefits, however, go beyond the time saved in automating common file handling tasks. Cost savings are also realized as automation standardizes common processes and greatly lessens human errors. Further, by reducing the time that staff spend on dull, repetitive tasks, a publisher can shift their efforts to more stimulating, creative work.

The SWITCH software family has been designed to provide important standalone functionality within each product, as well as an easy upgrade path between the various tools—both those available at Ipex and to be introduced later. LightSWITCH offers a smooth and seamless means of upgrading as additional workflow automation is needed. It shares the robust architecture and professional activity logging of the other SWITCH products, which sets it apart from alternative solutions. Each product in the family provides specific key benefits at different price points. Additional details concerning the available options and upgrade procedures will be announced soon.

System Requirements

To successfully install LightSWITCH you will need:

Microsoft Windows 2000, 2000 Server, XP Professional and 2003 Server
Mac OSX 10.4 or higher (both PowerPC and Intel-based)

About SWITCH software

The SWITCH family of products was developed to deliver immediate cost savings and efficiencies in publishing environments by quickly and easily standardizing various functional processes. SWITCH software automates the everyday tasks of multiple participants in multiple organizations—even those who use a variety of systems and tools. For ease of implementation, automation can be introduced gradually as needed, through a highly visual user-friendly interface. As more processes are automated, a user’s return on investment is dramatically accelerated.

About Gradual Software

Gradual Software was established in November 2004 to develop and deliver software for full automation across the numerous stages of professional publishing. Gradual’s automation solutions are designed to benefit all participants in the publishing workflow, including content originators (authors and designers), content processors (editors, designers and layout artists), brand owners (publishers and marketing departments) and service providers (printers). As the next-generation successor to its original CaslonFlow product, Gradual now offers the SWITCH family of workflow automation software.

Gradual Software is privately held by its management team, and is located in Ghent, Belgium. For more information, please visit www.gradual.com

Press Contact:

Duomedia Public Relations
Lutt Willems

Phone: +32 2 454 85 57
Fax: +32 2 454 85 59

Email: lutt@duomedia.com
Web: www.duomedia.com