Switch Scripting Module

Description

The Switch Scripting Module gives you the freedom to completely customise your workflow.

The sky’s the limit with this module as it enables you to:

• Develop, execute and debug your own scripts via SwitchScripter, a Switch application component that provides access to the complete Switch API. You can implement additional functions that meet your specific needs or build your own scripts to interact with scriptable third-party applications that are not yet natively supported by Switch.
• Run your custom-developed JavaScripts, Visual Basic Scripts or AppleScripts in your Switch workflows, using the Script flow element.

This module includes support for standard JavaScript classes, with additional classes for reading and writing files, reading and writing XML files, accessing databases, establishing SOAP/HTTP connections and many more.

Script Elements

One of the powerful features when writing script elements is the possibility to define properties that use Switch variables. In your script you can use the value of the variable without having to worry where it came from (e.g. from a database). This makes script development more powerful with less effort. You focus on solving the problem and not on how to get the information to solve the problem. It also increases the flexibility of your script as it can easily be repurposed with different parameters without any changes.

Script Expressions

When building routing decisions or when setting up configurator settings, it might be necessary to manipulate the available information in small but specific ways: leading zeros have to be added, month names must be changed into a number or vice versa, a date has to be calculated, etc.

For some tasks, it’s not necessary to write a full script element; a so-called script expression will suffice. With just a few lines of code, you can easily enhance malformed metadata into more useful information. Scripts can be deployed anywhere in Switch flows, providing enormous flexibility and power with very little effort.

Other Available Modules:

Configurator Module
This module enables integration, control and automation of many popular third party applications in the creative, prepress and production sectors. The Configurator Module automates Adobe Acrobat Distiller, Adobe Creative Suite, Enfocus PitStop Server, and many other popular applications and allows you to easily build solutions for preflight, imposition, colour management and many more. Setup and automation of the applications is fully controlled from within Switch and the visual flow editor makes it as easy to work with configurators as it is to work with the built-in tools. Use the applications you are already using today or feel free to choose the tools that suit your needs best.

This module also includes the necessary tools to integrate with any hotfolder-based application or to dynamically use any third party command line tools. The Configurator Module also allows various properties values to be created using simple script expressions, adding a higher level of intelligence to file receiving, routing and processing options.

Database Module
The Database module for Switch automates the communication between a database application and Switch. The Database Module makes it possible for Switch to instantly access existing ODBC data sources to expedite automated processing and prevent labour-intensive re-keying of job information into multiple systems. The Database Module connects using system DSN resources and honours all database rights and privileges.

The Database Module adds a new Database connect element to the Switch toolset. This element can be used to dynamically read, write, create or delete records in the designated data sources anywhere in your workflow. The Module also enables any SQL query result to be used as a variable anywhere within your Switch workflow. You can use live job information to easily build dynamic SQL queries at any stage of your workflow. Query results can be used to make decisions for preflight, processing, delivery or archival based on existing job or customer information.

Scripting is no longer required, making it easier and faster for customers and integrators to build communication paths between Switch and an MIS or any ODBC-compliant database. This module also enables the visualisation of dynamic content from your database when using SwitchClient and PitStop Connect.

Metadata Module
Much like the Database Module, this module enhances workflow intelligence by using existing information stored in XML or JDF job tickets or embedded within files as XMP data.

• Use metadata wherever Switch uses variables to route files or process jobs dynamically.
• Update or add information in XMP packages.
• Visualise metadata-based content within SwitchClient and PitStop Connect.

The Metadata Module also includes tools to export metadata and convert XML information, preflight logs and reports into other XML formats, HTML or human-readable information. By repurposing embedded or job ticket information, Switch enables you to more effectively utilise previous investments and personalise your service to customers.

Performance Module
To boost performance of the Switch Core Engine and get the ultimate processing power out of advanced hardware configurations that include multiple processors and high levels of RAM, you can extend the number of processes that Switch executes simultaneously.

Switch Web Services Module
This module enables third party applications such as web portals to integrate and drive Switch. You can improve your customer service experience by allowing your customers to securely submit files from the familiar environment of your company website. The Web Services Module enables your customers to track and approve jobs within Switch without leaving the comfort zone of your website interface.

SwitchClient Module
The SwitchClient Module is a separate desktop application allowing users to access the Switch Server remotely.