For as long as ePublisher has existed, Express has been the foundation that Designer and AutoMap were built on. If you wanted to use Designer, you installed Express first. If you wanted to run AutoMap, Express came along for the ride. It worked, but it created a setup experience that didn't reflect how most people actually use the products.
With ePublisher 2025.1, that changes. Express, Designer, and AutoMap are now standalone installations. You pick the product you want, install it, and get to work.
Why the Change?
As we've paid closer attention to how our users work, a clear pattern has emerged. Most documentation workflows don't start in Express; they start in Designer. That's where you build and refine your Stationery, configure your styles, and develop the foundation that drives your output. Express is where the day-to-day publishing happens, but the creative and architectural work lives in Designer.
Requiring users to install Express before they could even open Designer created an awkward onboarding experience. New users evaluating ePublisher had to go through two installations before they could begin exploring the product they actually came for. That friction wasn't doing anyone any favors.
AutoMap users had a similar story. AutoMap is purpose-built for automation: running conversion jobs on build servers, integrating with CI/CD pipelines, and handling batch processing. These environments benefit from minimal footprints, and bundling Express into the installation added unnecessary overhead to deployment targets that didn't need it.
What This Means for You
A Cleaner Evaluation Experience
If you're evaluating ePublisher for the first time, you can now download and install exactly the product you want to try. Interested in building Stationery and exploring the full range of ePublisher's capabilities? Install Designer. Want to test automated publishing workflows? Install AutoMap. Need a focused tool for loading Stationery into projects and running day-to-day generations? Install Express. Each product stands on its own, so your evaluation is focused and straightforward.
Designer-First Workflows
The beginning of an ePublisher project typically starts in Designer: creating Stationery, mapping styles, configuring targets. It makes sense that users should be able to start there without the prerequisite of installing Express. This update removes that friction and lets you begin your work where the work actually begins.
Leaner AutoMap Deployments
For teams running AutoMap on build servers or in automated pipelines, the standalone installation means a smaller deployment footprint. You install what you need for automation and nothing more. This is particularly valuable in environments where disk space, security policies, or installation complexity are concerns.
Use What Fits Your Role
Nothing changes about how the products work; we've simply lowered the barrier to getting started with each one. A tech writer focused on content and daily output will still reach for Express. A lead writer or documentation architect setting up Stationery will still work in Designer. DevOps and integration teams running automated builds will still deploy AutoMap. The difference is that each of these users can now install exactly what they need without carrying the overhead of a product that isn't part of their workflow.
How It Works
If you've visited our Downloads page before, you'll notice one thing missing: the instruction to install Express first. The separate installers for Express, Designer, and AutoMap are still right where they've always been; the difference is that each one is now self-contained. Install one, two, or all three depending on your workflow. The products continue to work together seamlessly when installed side by side, sharing Stationery and project files just as they always have.
Standalone installations are available as of build 2025.1.4646. There's nothing to migrate if you're upgrading from a previous version; your existing projects, Stationery files, and configurations carry forward as expected.
Get Started
ePublisher 2025.1 with standalone installations is available now:
- Download ePublisher 2025.1 — Choose the product that fits your workflow.
- Read the full release notes — See everything that's new in this release.
- Contact our sales team — Questions about licensing or upgrading? We're here to help.
- Join us on Discord — Share your feedback or ask questions with the team and community.
We've wanted to make this change for a while, and we're glad it's finally here. If you've ever wished you could skip straight to the product you actually use, now you can.