PitStop is a software solution from Enfocus to modify PDF documents intended for graphic arts —especially in the print and packaging sectors. Despite all its virtues, it is not really a PDF editor (which ArtPro+, from Enfocus parent company Esko, is). PitStop has two main variants: (1) PitStop Pro and (2) PitStop Server. In addition, there is a third programme, Switch, which is clearly related to the server version.
1. PitStop Pro
PitStop Pro works is a plug-in of Adobe Acrobat Pro or Acrobat DC (Not the Reader version). It cannot be used alone. When installed, it adds a number of new menus and palettes to Acrobat that allow for extensive editing of PDF.
Many of these options of modification can be automated and packaged in the form of action lists, global changes and other processes. The server version (PitStop Server) can use most of the automations created with this less powerful version.
In addition, we can modify PDFs right away with PitStop Pro.
2. PitStop Server
This is PitStop on steroids, designed to be automated without human operators (its price rises in parallel to its power, and both are quite impressive).
It works as an fully independent program based on the automatisms (created in any of the versions of PitStop ) and on the creation of automated workflows through hot folders controlled by the program.
The work of PitStop Server is based on the use of these hot folders and it needs first the definition of conditional workflows. Simply put: PitStop checks the contents of a folder every few seconds. When it senses that a document is present, it checks its properties, if it meets certain conditions, it processes it in one way, if not, it processes it in another.
En cada caso, el resultado se mueve a carpetas distintas, que a su vez están vigiladas para ejecutar otro proceso, etc. Todo esto, con una enorme cantidad de carpetas, propiedades y condiciones, todas ellas definibles de forma relativamente sencilla (mediante diagramas de flujo, iconos y puntos de decisión).
En sus últimas versiones está especialmente pensado para funcionar con Switch, también de Enfocus, ya que PiStop Server sólo puede controlar su propio funcionamiento y Switch expande la automatización a otros programas.
Switch
Switch is a modular software solution designed to automate production processes in the graphic arts, especially in print-related jobs.
Switch, like PitStop Server, is mainly based on the use of hot folders and the pre-defined conditional workflows, although it is much more powerful and flexible.
Unlike PitStop Server, Switch can control the automated operation of different software and programmes in these flows; for example: After a faulty process has been completed, Switch can generate an e-mail to the customer attaching the PitStop report and general instructions to solve the situation.
Newer versions of Switch support the purchase of third party modules or add-ons, depending on the customer's needs. So it is as flexible as our budget allows (it is not a cheap IT solution).
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