Software

Agfa Graphics will launch the next generation of its award-winning prepress workflow, :Apogee Suite 8.0, at drupa 2012.  Featuring new tools designed to help printers in offset and digital print or hybrid environments become more innovative, it interacts more efficiently internally and with their customers while optimising every step in the production process. :Apogee Suite 8.0 will be running live and available for demonstrations at the company’s stand at drupa (Düsseldorf, Germany May 3 – 16, Hall 8A) and will be available for purchase in the third quarter 2012.

Among the innovations in :Apogee Suite 8.0 is the new interactive :Apogee StoreFront, the new cloud-based, web-to-print solution. :Apogee StoreFront makes it easy to set up online stores for both printed and non-printed products. Seamless integration with :Apogee Prepress or any other workflow software ensure that orders are automatically downloaded and setup for production based on job specifications. Because it is cloud based and easy to use, printers can launch multiple, customised storefronts with no additional staff or costly infrastructure investment. :Apogee StoreFront gives printers the means to reach new markets and enrich customer experience, thus expanding business.

:Apogee Impose now supports web offset printing. Designed for the specific needs of web printing operations, this unique rule-based imposition software takes all specifications into account, including web folding and finishing requirements, to generate the optimal imposition scheme. A last minute change of press is no problem for :Apogee Impose. Plus, it supports single, dual and multiple web deliveries. :Apogee Impose lowers setup cost while delivering the level of automation web printers demand.

A new Merge Jobs function lets :Apogee 8 determine which jobs can be combined in one production run. This cuts costs by optimising press runs. An innovative algorithm places different jobs on the sheet in the most optimal manner.  As a result, there are fewer cuts which translates to less paper waste.

“:Apogee 8 is loaded with innovations that cater to every type of operation—sheet and web offset as well as hybrid operations including wide format. New 64-bit support combined with virtualisation (VMWare) lets high-volume printers consolidate processing. Other tools reduce costs with efficient output management such as the job merge function. All of these improvements are the result of carefully listening to our customers all over the world and incorporating their feedback,” said Andy Grant, head of software, Agfa Graphics, worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.agfa.com

Data Image, a UK-based signage and point-of-sale provider, has opted for Enfocus' Switch and PitStop Connect solutions to automate the delivery of customer-submitted files into the company's workflow.

"The level of automation achieved with Enfocus' solutions at one of the most critical phases of our production workflow, allowed us to increase throughput, reduce errors and improve our customer experience. And all of that with Return On Investment achieved within three to four months," states Rob Farfort, Director Data Image.

It was Data Image’s need to improve production and automate the delivery of files that prompted Rob Farfort to talk to Enfocus at Ipex 2010. He faced several issues regarding the selection and removal of specific spot colour elements in PDF production files. Working with system integrator XChange UK and using Enfocus Action List technology, a solution was quickly established during the exhibition.

“The ability to provide an application to all our customers branded with our own identity really appealed to me,” states Farfort. “Customising the data requested from our customers within Enfocus Switch and ensuring our customers’ preflighted files can only be sent to Data Image - not a competitor - were other compelling reasons I was interested in the PitStop Connect technology.”

Data Image delivers customer satisfaction

Using Enfocus Switch and PitStop Connect, Data Image reduced the time spent on customer and internal communications by 100%. This is mainly a result of customers being responsible for artwork submission and the removed need to search for files on client FTP sites.

“For us, the manual handling of files is automated, our operation runs at a fast speed and the handy email receipt notification saves time checking for delivered artwork,” comments Farfort. “With Enfocus Switch and PitStop Connect we could simplify artwork submission from our customers. Providing them with a desktop drag and drop applet, we have a continuous branded presence on their desktop. This in turn allowed us to offer a far more professional and productive service."

Understanding workflow automation

"Making the workflow improvements was easy," explains Farfort.  “We have been working with Esko's Automation Engine for about six years, so we were quite familiar with the concept of workflow automation. I was interested in standardising the way we receive files from our customers, and how we notify both our internal staff and the necessary contacts at all our customer locations that the files have been successfully received. Smooth integration was very important. Enfocus Switch and PitStop Connect sit alongside our existing Esko workflow with no issues. Switch has the required functionality for the two systems to interact as needed.”

Switching on powerful features

Enfocus Switch offers powerful features that let users work with job tickets and communicate directly with any data source that supports the ODBC standard. "We initially explored the option of using info from the job tickets generated by our order entry system to manage the incoming files," explains Farfort. "However, we found that the ability to generate a dynamic SQL query into our live order entry system allowed us to access more comprehensive information for any job at any time."

The query for the incoming job workflow compares the customer-submitted quote number with the actual quote number in the system. It also validates the email information needed to confirm receipt of the production files to Data Image employees, the actual submitter of the file and any other relevant customer contact. Enfocus Switch then dynamically moves the file to a location specified by the order entry system and provides that path information to the correct staff member at Data Image.

Making the right connection

Data Image worked with XChange UK to create a streamlined Connector - the file delivery droplet created with PitStop Connect. It uses the Connectors to accept a wide variety of file types like Adobe® InDesign and QuarkXPress native file packages, Illustrator and Photoshop files. When a PDF file is submitted the Connector on the customer’s desktop preflights the files according to the required specifications. Virtually all popular file types can be accepted and processed with Enfocus Switch. Data Image currently processes an average of 1000+ files a week.

Automation for continued success

Since the original integration, Data Image also worked with XChange UK to automate another key component of the production and delivery process using Switch. The order entry system generates a delivery note in PDF format that was formerly delivered manually to the customer and took considerable time to research and confirm the correct recipients for the delivery information. Using Switch, the emails are now dynamically built to include relevant job details and the delivery note itself as an attachment.

“Enfocus solutions enabled us to achieve a much higher level of end to end automation, including communication with our customers. With a Return On Investment of only 3 months we are very satisfied with what we have already achieved,” concludes Farfort.

Color-Logic's product literature is now available in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and simplified Chinese.  Commenting on its international business, Color-Logic's director of sales and marketing, Mark Geeves, says, “The Color-Logic process is rapidly gaining acceptance among brand and product managers, as well as their graphic designers and printers, around the world.  Interested parties can now learn the details of the Color-Logic system in their native language."

For more information, please visit www.color-logic.com

Fujifilm has launched the latest version of its cloud-based web-to-print solution, XMF PrintCentre V3.  XMF PrintCentre is a hosted web-to-print system that allows print companies to create multiple e-commerce web sites for selling print, and manages the whole print buying process from online purchasing through to delivering print-ready PDF files into a print production system such as Fujifilm’s XMF Workflow.

Many new capabilities have been added including a new text editor module for managing variable text within the existing WYSIWYG template editor, enhanced PDF pre-flight control for ad hoc print jobs, and a new, larger preview of jobs being ordered. In addition, the system now includes many features designed for printers specialising in wide format printing. These include new front and back office capabilities that allow wide format printed products to be easily and quickly added to the XMF PrintCentre web store, and additional flexibility in how the products are priced.

“XMF PrintCentre V3 contains enhancements that make the processes of buying print for the web store, and managing the products that are sold on the web store, quicker and easier. We have also introduced different elements to the system to suit the requirements of wide format printers, reflecting the need for the customised sizing of specific printed items and for flexibility in how these types of printed products are priced,” comments John Davies, business strategy manager for FUJFILM Europe. “Ensuring printers can easily add any new printed product to their web store is one of the critical factors of a successful web-to-print system, as printers need to take advantage of sales opportunities as quickly as possible,“ he concludes.

XMF PrintCentre V3 is commercially available in Q2 2012.

For more information, please visit www.fujifilm.com

X-Rite Announces New i1Pro 2 Professional Color Management Solutions for Photo, Pre-press, Publishing and Digital Printing Markets

New solutions include all-new second-generation i1Pro spectrophotometer delivering increased accuracy, ease of use and expanded professional level feature set

X-Rite, Incorporated, the world leader in color management, measurement and communication technologies, today announces its new portfolio of i1 Professional Color Management Solutions which now include a newly redesigned i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer.

Built upon the success of X-Rite’s i1Pro spectrophotometer as the de facto industry standard for more than a decade, the newly enhanced i1Pro 2 device has been redesigned to provide an even higher level of accuracy, versatility, ergonomics, functionality and value. Combined with the recently released i1Profiler software v1.3, which accommodates all levels of proficiency and expertise, the new i1Pro 2 portfolio of four different products is specifically targeted to meet the unique needs of photo, pre-press, digital print and publishing professionals, providing exceptional value at very attractive price points.

This new portfolio, comprised of X-Rite’s i1Basic Pro 2, i1Photo Pro 2, i1Publish Pro 2 and i1Publish products feature groundbreaking new technology and applications. Each Pro solution includes the new i1Pro 2 second generation spectrophotometer – the most accurate and forward thinking profiling device available today accommodating three measurement conditions in one single device. These conditions include the most commonly used M0 (Standard Illuminant A), the emerging M1 (illuminant D50) and M2 (known as UV-cut). Also included are i1Profiler, X-Rite’s entirely new next generation color profiling software, PANTONE Color Manager color swatch bridging software and ColorChecker Camera Calibration software.

“Exceptionally accurate color measurement and calibration remain basic building blocks for professional-level workflow,” commented Vic Stalam, X-Rite’s Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing.  “Nowhere is repeatable, predictive color management more critical than in the prepress, digital printing and photography markets that make up the core imaging market customer base for X-Rite. With the introduction of these new products, X-Rite once again delivers to color professionals around the world the products they need that incorporate important emerging color standards.”


About Next Generation i1Pro 2 Spectrophotometer
The i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer introduces a new level of color accuracy, delivering increased ease of use and an expanded professional level feature set, including supporting the latest developments in industry measurement standards. i1Pro 2 solutions are sure to maximize profitability and minimize wasted time, ink and paper, while delivering the confidence that the user’s digital workflow is perfectly and professionally calibrated and profiled.

New i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer highlights:
New illuminant design allows for 3 standard measurement conditions  (ISO 13655 M0: Tungsten; ISO 13655 M1: D50; ISO 13655 M2: UV Cut) plus Optical Brightener Compensation (OBC) without changing filters or needing a second instrument.

Enhanced Optical Brightener Compensation allows for the most accurate profiling for today’s enhanced range of substrates. Now users can predict what colors printed on optically brightened paper will look like under different light conditions using a single hand-held device.

Positioning Detection Sensor provides a more robust scanning experience even on special substrates and low-resolution printers. It allows for the measurement of smaller patch sizes (as low as 7mm) in manual mode and enables dual measurement workflows for OBC, M1 and M2.

New Status LED guides users through the measurement process and provides feedback on device status, improving the user experience.

New Design Ergonomics throughout allows for greater usability, flexibility, cleaning, protection, and storage of the precision i1Pro 2 device.

Better temperature stability and higher brightness levels improves emissive measurement, resulting in the best possible calibration and profiling of monitors and projectors.

All new diagnostics and self-correction features
Built-in wavelength calibration technology allows for self-diagnosis of optical grating in relation to sensor during white calibration (with automatic correction and notifications).

Maintaining and protecting the device (and investment) is easier than ever
Self-cleanable aperture protection glass and calibration white tile cover provides additional built-in protection from dust and dirt.

About i1Profiler Software
With the latest release of i1Profiler software v1.3, X-Rite has further enhanced this next generation professional color management software. i1Profiler offers an unprecedented level of flexibility and features a number of unique color management capabilities such as optimizing profiles, creating profiles with ambient light measurements, compensating for optical brighteners in papers, and utilizing simple yet advanced controls for black separation and providing significant ink savings, adding to users’ power and control in creating professional quality profiles. Users can choose between a ‘basic’, wizard-driven interface; or an ‘advanced’, user-driven interface to create high quality, precise, custom color profiles for monitors, projectors, printers, and presses.

New i1Profiler Software v1.3 highlights:
•    i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer support added for monitor, projector and printer profiling
•    M1 measurement condition support added
•    White point editing added – from current measurement, saved measurement, ICC profile, or custom
•    Improved CGATS reading module
•    Improved handling for printer test chart measurement
•    Default patch size reduced to 7mm
•    Two new measurement workflows added:
o    Measure Chart – specify number of rows and columns
o    Measure Reference Chart – import CGATS reference from ProfileMaker 5
•    Improved CMYK+n profile generation
•    Russian language support added

Clarity Software, the sign, print and graphic industry’s leading CRM and MIS provider, launched its new ‘wow factor’ Deliveries Module to stunned visitors at this year’s Sign & Digital UK exhibition.

Working in tandem with the Clarity Proof of Delivery iPhone App, the game-changing Clarity Professional Deliveries Module saves hours in manual administration for on-site work such as fittings, installations, maintenance, equipment drop-offs and surveys.

Now you can work smarter

The Deliveries Module creates and displays all on-site jobs in an Outlook-style diary view on the office-based Clarity system, with their real-time status such as Work In Progress or On Hold clearly highlighted using simple colour codes.

Users can enjoy total visibility of their jobs from the office as their fittings team or third party contractors carry out and complete them, and deliver an exceptional service promise to their customers.

“The response we are getting to Deliveries is phenomenal” Clarity MD Richard Gamlin elates. “The immediate returns on investment are plain to see. And it’s not just for sign and print companies – all businesses that carry out site visits or site work can see a huge benefit from using it. Video producers, POS fitters, surveyors and office equipment installers have already expressed an interest. There is no doubt that this new functionality will directly increase bottom line profitability.”

Huge savings in paper and time

Site teams often arrive back at the office with a mountain of accumulated job paperwork. Using the Deliveries Module, job information is recorded and sent back to the office via 3G or Wi-Fi as soon as it is completed using the Clarity Proof of Delivery iPhone App.

They can take pictures, add notes and track locations using geo-mapping, as well as the superb ability to take an electronic sign-off signature from customers directly onto the device, giving traceable evidence of job completion, when it was completed and the customer’s satisfaction to sign off.

Get cash into the business quicker

Gone are the days when office-based employees are waiting on paperwork to raise invoices. Now Clarity users receive immediate job completion and sign-off directly from site and raise an invoice instantly, accelerating their cash flow and optimising their business profitability.

Deliveries is the final piece of a streamlined, cost reductive electronic business workflow, saving hours in needless paper-based administration and improving customer service across the industry.