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Printing Pre-Press Systems and Materials (Repro, Platemakers, CTP, Workflow, Document Management, Design Software, etc.)
News Release from: Kodak Graphic Communications Group | Subject: Unified Workflow systems
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 26 October 2007
New Centre Demonstrates Unified Workflow
Benefits
Unified Workflow systems are now able to be demonstrated at the Waterloo, London (UK) facility of Kodka's Graphic Communications Group (GCG).
Kodak said that printing companies are showing greater interest in the benefits that Unified Workflow can bring to their companies According to the company, that is because the benefits of the workflow system extend further than efficiency gains to embrace the integration of production processes and extend in to such business development areas as new revenue streams through web to print services and the use of web portal products that enhance customer interaction
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 1 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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However, Kodak added that for many printing firms the prospect can seem daunting or unrealistic, especially for those companies with disparate legacy systems in their production facilities.
At the same time, it can be difficult to equate the theoretical benefits with the realities of day-to-day production.
Dave Sips, product marketing manager for business workflow systems at Kodak's GCG Europe, Middle East and Africa Region (EAMER), said that being able to show customers a real, workable system was one of the key drivers behind the implementation in Waterloo.
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He explained: "By having these connections in our demo centre we can show customers how powerful it is to have a truly integrated system and how the connection between management information systems, pre-press and press, as well as the addition of web portal products, can really give a competitive advantage." Kodak said that during the demonstration in Waterloo, customers see a job estimate being created in the Hiflex MIS.
The order subsequently generated by Hiflex sends a Job Definition Format (JDF) to the Kodak Prinergy workflow system, which automatically creates a job with appropriate hot folders, the correct Kodak Insite software customer information, imposition details, customised toolbars and automation of tasks using rules-based automation.
Pages are uploaded in to the job in the same way that a client would do so, using Kodak's Insite Software, the web portal in to the Prinergy system that streamlines job submission, approval tracking and remote proofing, said the company.
The pages are refined and imposed with integration between Prinergy and Kodak's Preps imposition software means the appropriate template is automatically selected, or a template is created, based on the imposition instructions sent from Hiflex.
On-screen proofing is carried out using Kodak's Matchprint and pages are either approved, rejected, or correction instructions are provided.
Details of all those actions are fed back to Hiflex using Job Messaging Format (JMF).
If required, hard copy proofs are made and that information, together with materials used, is also fed back to Hiflex.
Kodak added that when the job has been approved, plates are made using one of the four Kodak platesetting systems installed in the showroom.
Ink key information is simultaneously generated in JDF format, whilst Hiflex receives information on the actions and materials used, as well as the ink key information.
Hiflex then creates a JDF file containing the ink key information and that is sent to a MAN Roland Printnet Pressmanager Server, allowing visitors to see how the interaction with a litho press works.
There the ink profiles can be viewed in the MAN Roland software and the ink ducts on the press would be set using that information.
For press-side proofing, Kodak's Presproof software allows the press operator to view the same proof that has been approved by the client.
Hiflex managing director, Stefan Reichhart, explained: "The close relationship between Hiflex, Kodak and MAN Roland is based on successful real-life JDF projects around the world.
Case studies revealing the benefit of JDF connectivity between Hiflex MIS and Kodak or Hiflex MIS and MAN Roland have also been awarded by the CIP4 organisation.
We are very proud that the capability of the links can be demonstrated in Waterloo, as well as in the Hiflex CIM Centre in Aachen." According to Kodak's GCG, many print service providers are tackling the challenges of working in blended production operations involving conventional and digital presses and visitors to Waterloo are also able to see how the same workflow can be used for multiple printing processes, with the option of printing jobs on a Kodak Nexpress digital colour press, or the company's Versamark continuous inkjet printing system.
Kodak believes the Waterloo operation is the most integrated demonstration facility anywhere in the world.
Dave Sips commented: "Kodak is an open company and one of our strengths is our ability to work with partners and we, Hiflex and MAN Roland, are using the standards as created by CIP4.
What we're showing here is not fiction or theory, people can buy it and implement it today.".
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