,,Layout-in-Layout from K4 5.9 synchronises self-contained and hence mutually independent production processes before the copy deadline,'' explains Christian H. Hollstein, Product Manager for SoftCare. Thus, the regional and overall editorial board of a newspaper can produce their pages in Adobe InDesign at the same time and even continue to edit them with K4 after the layouts have been merged. This function is also especially useful for the production and placement of advertisements: Once the ad layout is complete, they can be placed in several positions in the paper using K4. 

K4 5.9 also comes with a new InDesign plug-in: SoftCare Content Activator. This new feature reactivates the contents of locked frames for further processing - for example, by freelancers or external printing service providers. SoftCare Content Activator is also available as a free download. 

,,To make K4 even more user-friendly, we incorporated a lot of suggestions for improvement from our users in version 5.9,'' Hollstein continues. Several items, such as pictures, Word files or Excel spreadsheets can now be checked in and out at the same time using K4 File Manager. In addition to the issue-based mode, K4 Admin now enables users to export items, such as layouts, articles or pictures based on a query. A particularly interesting feature for new users: the K4 Client's help commands offer direct access to the K4 Quick Reference Cards, making it easy for K4 users to call up the symbol overview at any time. 

Read more about K4 5.9's new features. 

About SoftCare 
SoftCare focuses on developing professional editorial solutions for cross-media publishing, based on Adobe Creative Suite. SoftCare K4 is a powerful, integrated publishing solution that combines efficient ways of working with proven time and cost advantages for its users. The SoftCare K2 workgroup system provides an excellent base product for people entering the world of professional publishing. 

Founded in 1990, SoftCare works with a team of qualified global integrators in order to guarantee high-quality system support at a local level. More than 230 systems are already successfully in use, with installations ranging from ten to more than 1,000 users. Publications using SoftCare include Focus, Capital, ADACmotorwelt, Die Zeit, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, BusinessWeek, New York Magazine, Playboy and Le Point, while corporate publishers include BASF, Siemens, KircherBurkhardt und Publicis.