Gradual SWITCH to Positive Focus

Positive Focus will distribute the range of automated publishing solutions from Gradual Software in the UK and Ireland. The product range consists initially of CaslonFlow, but will expand to the newly announced SWITCH range, which offers cross platform, Mac OSX and PC compatibility and enhanced feature sets. Positive Focus will be able to offer upgrade and migration routes to the new products, and is actively cooperating with other software and hardware providers to construct relevant bundles, to be announced at IPEX.

IPEX will provide the first public viewing of LightSWITCH, the entry level file movement, filtering and management solution, and FullSWITCH, which replaces CaslonFlow, with in-depth demonstrations in the presentation theatre on the Positive Focus stand 20-D45 in Hall 20. ‘This is an exciting addition to the range of options we can offer. Now we have a viable Mac OS solution, running on both G5 processors and the new Intel based Macs. Users can glue together the desktop solutions they already know and use into a productive, automated workflow.’ Ivor Dixon, Managing Director of Positive Focus, said when announcing the agreement. ‘Gradual Software have shown they are serious contenders in this market, with the substantial improvements they have already made to the CaslonFlow product. The SWITCH range is a logical move forward, adding Mac compatibility and an entry level solution for those people who just need to move files around, avoiding the chore of doing it manually. I think most people will be able to justify LightSWITCH on the time saving alone, paying back the cost in a couple of months.’ LightSWITCH will cost £549 and FullSWITCH £1,799. CaslonFlow users, or anyone purchasing CaslonFlow at £1,449 now, can upgrade to FullSWITCH for just £220. There will be a no-penalty upgrade from LightSWITCH to FullSWITCH by paying the difference in price. A server based product with even greater functionality is expected to release in late summer. The SWITCH products are now entering the final Beta phase prior to release. Anyone who would like to be involved in the managed Beta scheme should contact Positive Focus by email at technical@positivefocus.co.uk, specifying the platform they use and any other software they wish to incorporate in the flow. To be kept up to date on the availability of the SWITCH range, contact Positive Focus on 08456 120 246, or at sales@positivefocus.co.uk. IPEX visitors can see the products demonstrated on Stand 20-D45 or in the Innovation Pavilion 07-B50.

PDF version : Word Version About Positive Focus Positive Focus is a provider and integrator of graphics and prepress solutions, with more than 25 years experience in print production. The company distributes Preps, Pandora and UpFront from Kodak; Jaws PDF products from Global Graphics Software, Infix and Gemini PDF editing tools from Iceni Technology Ltd., XMPie personalisation products, FirstProof from Hamillroad Software and Blackmagic proofing solutions from Serendipity in the UK and Ireland. Positive Focus also provides systems integration for Jaws PDF Courier, XMPie, Enfocus and Markzware products. For more information on the product range and services, visit www.positivefocus.co.uk. About Gradual Software Gradual Software was founded in November 2004 by Peter Camps to pursue his vision of providing full automation across the numerous stages of professional publishing activities, from document creation to delivery. Camps is well known in the industry as the founder and CEO of Enfocus Software, the company that set the worldwide standard for the effective use of PDF in publishing with its technology and products. Camps assembled a well-rounded team of experienced board members and executives including Thad McIlroy, Ignace De Bock and David van Driessche who were all instrumental in the success of his previous endeavor. As a first step towards implementing its vision, Gradual Software earlier 2005 acquired CaslonSoft, the Danish developer of CaslonFlow, a desktop automation tool that glues together third-party applications into one seamless flow. In 2001 CaslonFlow was awarded one of three Seybold HotPicks for Print Production Workflow Automation and it has been very well received by customers. A significantly streamlined version of CaslonFlow was announced in May 2005 as the first result of the acquisition. Gradual Software is privately held by its management and is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. Press Contacts: Ivor Dixon Positive Focus 12c Shepperton Business Park Govett Avenue Shepperton Middlesex TW17 8BA Tel +44 (0) 8456 120 246 Fax +44 (0) 8456 120 248 Distributors and integrators of workflow solutions for graphics, print and communication. Imposition Tools : JDF Integration : Proofing : PDF : Personalisation PUBLISHED 17-02-06