Ten Years of the Enfocus Appstore: Why Open Integration Wins in Print

The Enfocus Appstore turned ten in 2026. It now holds more than 350 apps that connect Enfocus Switch to other systems, and to mark the anniversary Enfocus ran a dedicated "Works with Enfocus Switch" booth at PRINTING United Expo with live demonstrations from partners including AccuZip, Meadows Publishing Systems, PrintVis, XMPie, Vpress, Canon, Maestrosoft and Ricoh.

Behind the anniversary is a bigger idea that both Enfocus and callas are now saying out loud: automation works best when systems are open and can talk to each other, rather than when everything has to come from one vendor.

Switch as the connective layer

Enfocus describes Switch as "the open connective layer between business systems and production." In practice, Appstore apps let Switch exchange files and job data, such as order details and job tickets, with MIS and ERP systems, web-to-print platforms, prepress tools and output devices. A job can then be routed and prepared automatically from order to press, whichever print method it uses.

Enfocus also makes a point of publishing the Appstore openly, so anyone can see which third-party systems connect to Switch before they invest. That is genuinely useful when you are evaluating a new MIS or storefront: you can check whether an integration already exists rather than assuming one will need to be built.

Two recent examples

Web-to-print to production. In August 2026, Enfocus and Vpress launched the Vpress Flow app. Orders created in the Vpress storefront, including multi-component jobs, are imported into Switch with their files and production data, and status updates are synced back to the storefront. That is exactly the round trip we describe in our web-to-print integration guide, available as a ready-made app.

Accessible PDFs. In September 2026, Enfocus and PDFix brought the PDFix Make Accessible app to the Appstore. It turns incoming PDFs into tagged, accessible output ready for the PDF/UA standard, with no manual handling. For printers and document producers handling public sector, financial or corporate communications, accessibility requirements are growing, and this brings them into the same automated workflow as everything else.

callas and the open approach

callas has taken a similar line from the other side. Since being acquired by the Durst Group in 2025, under the banner of an open printing industry, pdfToolbox remains available through callas and its distribution partners, and at PRINTING United 2026 callas exhibited as part of Durst's Open Software Initiative. A large part of its business is OEM: pdfToolbox technology embedded inside other vendors' products via command line, REST API, SDK or hot folders, now with Docker images for easier deployment. Many printers use callas technology every day without knowing it.

Why open matters for a print business

• You keep your choices. You can change your MIS, storefront or press without rebuilding the whole workflow.
• You build on what you have. Most businesses already own capable tools. Connecting them properly is often cheaper than replacing them.
• Integrations are proven. A published app maintained by both vendors is far less risky than a one-off custom connection.
• You can grow in steps. Add one integration at a time, starting where the payback is biggest.

The catch

Hundreds of apps does not mean hundreds of good choices for your business. Each integration needs to be configured around your products, data and exceptions, and some combinations work far better than others. Choosing the right apps, and connecting them in the right order, is where independent advice pays for itself.

If you are wondering which of your systems could already be connected, book a free discovery call and we will map it out.

Sources: Enfocus celebrates 10 years of the Enfocus Appstore (WhatTheyThink); Enfocus partners with Vpress to launch Vpress Flow app (WhatTheyThink); Enfocus partners with PDFix (WhatTheyThink); callas at PRINTING United Expo 2026 (WhatTheyThink); callas software news.