Esko releases Suite 14.1 – bringing ease of use with SaaS options, more flexibility with software subscriptions and improved supportEsko releases Suite 14.1 – bringing ease of use with SaaS options, more flexibility with software subscriptions and improved support

Esko announces the launch of its Software Suite release 14.1, a comprehensive update of its full Suite of software solutions. Besides a range of functional updates for each of the Suite’s applications, Esko Software Suite 14.1 will be rolling out with Software as a Service (SaaS) and Subscription options that give users greater flexibility, scalability and a lower total cost of ownership.

“SaaS and Subscription models for software are becoming the de facto standard in the software industry,” explains Bernard Zwaenepoel, Esko’s SVP Software Business. “Esko has worked hard to keep pace with customer needs and industry trends, and to bring more value to customers with our Suite 14.1 release. While we have been offering a subscription model for some time for certain software modules, this release broadens the scope of that effort across more Suite 14.1 modules and responds to customer requests for increased cloud-based delivery of Esko software solutions. While perpetual software licenses will continue to be offered, customers now have the option of choosing a SaaS or Software Subscription model if it better fits their operational needs.”

Suite 14.1 sets the benchmark for innovation in user experience

“Esko is dedicated to providing innovative features and developments to the package and label printing industry,” says Zwaenepoel. “With the release of Suite 14.1, we bring valuable new functionality to our current and future customers, giving them the user experience, scalability and flexibility they expect. We’re excited to be providing them greater ability to respond faster to changing market dynamics.”

In addition to a broader availability of SaaS and subscription resources, Suite 14.1 also includes a number of across-the-board enhancements, all developed to maximize ease of use, make implementation faster, improve support and deliver an even more outstanding customer experience.

New in Suite 14.1: full details about all new capabilities and features for each of the software modules in Suite 14.1 can be found at www.esko.com/en/products/overview/suite-14/suite14-new/.

WebCenter enhancements: a new 2D and 3D viewer, based on today’s HTML5 web standard, makes viewing of package and display designs remarkably faster. It also improves the WebCenter user experience on mobile devices, tablets and smartphones, which are quickly becoming the platform of choice for many brand owners and service providers. Besides connecting with Automation Engine, WebCenter now flawlessly connects with other WebCenter and/or Automation Engine instances. This is the key enabler to develop and monitor multi-site, highly automated workflows in a global environment. This seemingly straightforward feature facilitates centralized prepress workflows that extend across multi-plant operations, or between brand owners and their print service providers, providing the user the flexibility to run complex workflows in a globally standardized way.

New software bundles: offered with subscription plans, Esko’s popular editors – including DeskPack,
i-cut Suite, Studio and Cape – are now available in Suite 14.1 as comprehensive bundles with different levels of functionality and pricing based on user needs, including Essentials and Advanced. These subscription packages are available via the online Esko Store.

Easy and accessible customer support infrastructure: support offerings are now consolidated into a single platform with a single login. To access help, search the knowledge base, read documentation, download software, learn about training options and much more, users simply visit esko.com/support.  With a single login, users can purchase software or consumables from the online Esko Store, activate software licenses and subscriptions, download products from My Software, get help from Esko's new support platform including improved Live Chat, and download 3D shapes for use in Studio or ArtiosCAD.

Availability

Esko Suite 14.1 is available as of July 2015 with a global roll-out during the third quarter of the year. For more information about Suite 14.1, visit www.esko.com or contact your local sales representative.