Belgium-based Enfocus Software develops affordable, flexible automation software for general commercial and specialized printers through its global network of certified integrators. The integrators are specialists who provide support to local customers, for getting the most out of the technology.
Enfocus, has more than 100,000 customers globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Esko, operating as part of the broader Esko solutions family, while maintaining its focus on serving commercial print and wide-format markets. Esko primarily focuses on the packaging market and is part of the Veralto Group, which includes related brands in the packaging and print technology sectors.
Enfocus’ software products integrate smoothly with Esko’s software platform, enabling customers to benefit from combined workflow capabilities in packaging and print production, says Akshai Ravichandran, channel manager, Enfocus, who is based in India. This enhances operational efficiency for all users, regardless of their area of focus.
Ravichandran says Enfocus was established with the ambition of making prepress automation simpler – bringing enterprise-grade automation to desktop computers. “Our goal was to lower the barrier to entry for smaller companies that could not previously afford this kind of solution. We believe technology should be able to adapt to business processes rather than the other way around, and to do this, we have focused on creating versatile, flexible, and affordable products that empower users to streamline repetitive tasks and focus on value-added work, regardless of company size or experience level,” he explains.
The Enfocus product ecosystem includes PitStop, Switch, and its Appstore, Ravichandran says, adding these solutions fill critical gaps in the prepress workflow. They make robust prepress automation affordable and accessible for both small and midsize printers providing interoperability between otherwise disconnected prepress, press, and finishing systems. With high personalization, customers can tailor their solutions to their own unique workflow needs. “As a result, they can avoid inefficiencies associated with unnecessary duplication and wasted resources,” he adds.
Entry into India’s software segment
In India, Enfocus operates from the Veralto office, in Bangalore from where it can leverage the group’s established distributor and channel partner networks. Its solutions are deployed by customers across the country in major metros as well as key industrial hubs. Although Ravichandran did not share exact customer numbers, he said they are strongest in large cities – particularly where larger commercial printers and publishers operate.
With a strong presence in the Indian market due to its established network of certified resellers, it sees significant growth potential. “Our entry into this market was accelerated by the rising demand in India for automation. India’s print and packaging sector, like many industries, is facing pressure to increase productivity with existing workforce numbers and resources. This pressure is driving a strong need for automation software that can streamline repetitive tasks and enhance operational efficiency,” Ravichandran noted.
The surge in digitalization initiatives across the Indian economy, supported by government programs as well as the growing adoption of SaaS, ERP, and automation workflows, has created an ideal staging ground for Enfocus’ suite of scalable, cost-effective automation products.
Apart from the core printing and packaging industries, Enfocus works within important adjacent industry segments although its core strength remains in commercial print and wide format, including sub-segments such as digital print and newspapers. However, beyond these, the software provider sees growing adoption in related areas such as publishing, marketing services, and corporate in-house print departments and integrators. “This diversified presence ensures we can offer flexible and scalable automation for a broad range of print and associated media workflows in India,” he says.
Challenges in Indian software market
Notable challenges in the Indian software market are largely due to regional disparities in digital adoption and significant price sensitivity, according to Ravichandran. Although some print and packaging companies are enthusiastically pursuing automation and workflow standardization, many – particularly small and midsize ones – are still cautious or reluctant to move away from established manual processes. “In part, this reluctance can be traced to concerns regarding cost, which we have addressed by introducing flexible pricing models for this market. These include perpetual, monthly, and annual subscription options, which make our solutions more accessible to a broader range of companies.”
Technical infrastructure and the need for ongoing training have presented additional barriers, particularly among companies that lack sufficient IT expertise or high-speed internet connectivity, he says, adding that the transition to digital systems demands ongoing staff upskilling, which can prove financially and logistically challenging for smaller firms.
Nevertheless, Enfocus is growing its footprint in the Indian market by investing in localized support and product adaptations. Through these measures, Enfocus hopes to build digital confidence and illustrate the benefits of its solutions for the print and packaging sectors.
Plans for India
Ravichandran says the company will continue strengthening its partner ecosystem in India, recognizing that successful growth relies on local partnerships and resellers that understand the specific needs of Indian print and packaging businesses. Education and awareness are central to its expansion strategy, as they will be key to deeply embedding automation in this market.
“Moving forward, we aim to broaden our reach beyond traditional commercial printing into other areas such as labels and online print platforms, where there is significant growth potential. Embracing label printing and tapping into the burgeoning online print service sector will support us as we diversify our customer base in India,” he adds.
Another key element to its expansion plans is the introduction of more cloud-connected workflows and flexible subscription models. “These features will make our solutions more accessible and scalable for businesses of any scale or maturity, supporting the growing demand for print and packaging automation across the country,” Ravichandran concluded.
This article is the first part of a two-part series about Enfocus. The second part – to be published in December, talks about the company’s software solutions for the Indian market.
