Product category:
Printing Pre-Press Systems and Materials (Repro, Platemakers, CTP, Workflow, Document Management, Design Software, etc.)
News Release from: EFI | Subject: Digital Storefront Version 2.3
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 July 2005
EFI Software Version Further Streamlines
Workflow
EFI has launched an enhanced version of Digital Storefront.
EFI has launched an enhanced version of Digital Storefront Version 2.3 of the software is claimed to include stronger VDP capabilities, enhanced integration with other EFI products and new, enhanced Printmessenger Drivers
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 13 Feb 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Digital Storefront is said to provide a complete, streamlined workflow from the document creator, through print production, to finishing and delivery.
By providing a robust, personalised interactive intranet or internet presence 24 hours-a-day, Digital Storefront enhances customer relationships and improves profitability, said EFI.
An interface allows print customers to submit digital files from their PC or Macintosh computers, view PDF proofs of their documents for immediate review and approval and enter their own job specifications for production and finishing.
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Once that information is entered, Digital Storefront creates a job ticket and the file is automatically submitted in to the print centre's workflow, billing systems, print servers and output devices.
Enhanced workflow integration with other EFI products includes control and communication with Fiery servers, and Balance connected output devices.
Media Catalogues can be automatically exchanged between Digital Storefront and Fiery, Balance and Micropress and print orders from the web are automatically routed to the appropriate output device without requiring manual operator intervention, said the company.
The new catalogue and VDP capabilities include an enhanced Template Driven VDP Documents Module, with an upgrade provided free to all existing customers.
It iss aid to provide a complete batch merge capability for more sophisticated one-to-one marketing products, such as direct mail pieces and newsletters, when combined with the optional new Workstation or Server Merge Modules.
Customers can now upload their own database files to produce personalised documents, added EFI.
The product includes web-enabled VDP features like the ability to choose images, pre-fill templates from user profiles and database files, with the ability to preview results in a standard browser with no plug-ins or applets.
Users can also preview selected records on-line, or step through the entire database, previewing each record against the template document.
The unlimited license Printmessenger PDF generating drivers included as standard with Digital Storefront, have been one of its most popular features, according to EFI.
The latest release of Printmessenger, included with the 2.3 update, has an enhanced interface that gives users more feedback during the PDF conversion and file upload process.
And there is now the ability to send multiple files to the Digital Storefront server in one workflow.
The files can be printed from multiple applications and can even be combined in to a single job file for ticketing and output, added EFI.
EFI said that the CSR mode takes Digital Storefront's security to a new level, whilst improving the print centre's ability to provide better service.
CSR Mode lets customer service representatives see what the customer sees, without compromising password security.
CSRs can enter orders on behalf of customers, make changes and take approvals over the phone, as well as provide real-time support, all whilst maintaining an audit trail.
Administrators can now define and configure an unlimited number of accounting codes within the software - any and all of the user-defined accounting codes may now be used as payment methods.
In addition, each distinct accounting code can be individually validated against a list or database, or against an input mask.
Chuck Gehman, director of product marketing for EFI, said: "The new version of Digital Storefront builds on the product's already robust features to deliver even greater workflow efficiency for print providers, enabling them to maximise customer satisfaction and increase productivity.
We think our customers will be particularly excited about the tighter integration with EFI Fiery and workflow products and the more sophisticated VDP features." And Jane Mugford, general manager at West Canadian, a 140-employee printer in Canada, added: "Digital Storefront is the first product where I saw real potential and a real possibility to move our business forward.
On top of that, it has a lot of attractive things that make our customers get excited about using it.
What I love about the variable data component is that it lets customers see what we see.
Even when doing business cards, people can see right away what it's going to look like and that makes them more comfortable." Mugford added that the software enhanced her company's variable printing service, opened up new prospects and has given them an opportunity to offer new services to existing customers.
She continued: "For customers to have that all under one umbrella, they are more likely to work with us on business cards because it's the same tool.
Bringing everything together under one system is helping everybody - us and our customers.".
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