Esko releases Suite 14.1 with SaaS options, more flexibility with software subscriptions and improved support

The launch of Esko’s Software Suite 14.1 is a comprehensive update of its full suite of packaging 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, said the company.
“SaaS and Subscription models for software are becoming the de facto standard in the software industry,” said Bernard Zwaenepoel, Esko’s Senior Vice President of 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’ve 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, Esko customers now have the option of choosing a SaaS or a Software Subscription model depending on their operational needs. “Esko is dedicated to providing innovative features and developments to the package and label printing industry,” Zwaenepoel added. “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.” A new 2D and 3D viewer, based on today’s HTML5 web standard, makes viewing of package and display designs faster. Esko has also improved its WebCenter user experience on mobile devices, tablets and smartphones. Besides connecting with Automation Engine, WebCenter now connects with other WebCenter and/or Automation Engines. This is a key enabler to develop and monitor multi-site, highly automated workflows in a global environment, said Esko. The feature facilitates centralized prepress workflows that extend across multi-plant operations, or between brand owners and their print service providers, allowing the user the flexibility to run complex workflows in a globally standardized way.
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.

Finally, support offerings are now consolidated into a single platform with a single login whereby 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. Esko Suite 14.1 is now available. A global rollout expected during the third quarter of 2015.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In general, Software as a Service (SaaS) and Subscription model proponents point to a number of distinct advantages to users. For example…..

• Users can quickly scale resources up and down to respond to changing business dynamics within the company (e.g. make extra licenses available during peak production times or for specific projects).
• With a cost-effective set-up fee and ongoing monthly or annual subscription fees, companies can convert their Esko software investment from a capital investment to an annual operating expense, if desired.
• With a hosted SaaS/Subscription model, companies can take advantage of the security, data integrity and guaranteed uptime benefits.
• In a SaaS/Subscription model, Esko can more easily and quickly offer incremental software updates to improve performance and deploy additional capabilities. This is done without the need for onsite deployment of patches and software updates, reducing the burden on internal IT resources. This also means that users receive immediate access to the latest software versions.