Cluster Workflow from Apago is server-based software that uses fault-tolerant queueing and a scheduling framework to make the best use of a cluster's resources.Georgia-based software developer Apago announced on Friday the release of its latest document management solution.
Called Apago Cluster Workflow, this new server-based solution gives users the ability to put together publishing workflows in a variety of situations.
According to Apago Inc., Cluster Workflow leverages cluster CPU setups so that any free server may perform any task required of it.
The solution offers a fault-tolerant queuing and an innovative scheduling framework designed to make the best use of a cluster's resources and that may be accessed through a simple Web interface.
"For high-volume or complex production processes, Cluster Workflow maximizes the performance of each networked computer, which means that our customers can produce, publish and repurpose their content faster and easier," Apago president Dwight Kelly said.
Cluster Workflow uses application modules based on its document management and prepress software, including its Piktor file-conversion product, its PDF automation tool called PDF Enhancer and PSServices, a conversion tool that turns PDF and PostScript data to faster file formats such as JPEG and TIFF.
The modules included with Cluster Workflow perform such prepress chores as ICC color management, PDF distilling, document assembly, file conversion, preflighting, cropping and repurposing.
In addition, Cluster Workflow supports both JDF and JMF.
Although Cluster Workflow works with Linux, Sun Solaris and other flavors of Unix, Apago seems especially excited about Cluster Workflow's compatibility with the latest version of Apple Computer's Mac OS X Server, version 10.4 or "Tiger."
One of the first installations of Cluster Workflow, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, uses Apple Xserve G5s and Tiger Server to make PDF documents to use in archiving and for repurposing its content for online use, as well as by its business partners and licensees.
"Tiger Server's Unix foundation, support for SMP multiprocessing, built-in Apache and MySQL software combined with the Xserve RAID G5 make an excellent platform for Cluster Workflow," said Kelly.
Barry Bowden, product support manager at Apago, said that Cluster Workflow had its public debut at this year's Print '05 and Converting '05 conference in Chicago, which took place this past week.
However, the product itself has been installed and operational since January 2005, when it was installed at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and at Time Inc., where it is being used to put together e-versions of its magazines.
Pricing for Cluster Workflow depends on how many servers are involved and the particular Apago modules that are chosen to work with it.
"It's not a retail product that has a price list per se," Bowden explained.
