Error-Free Workflow For Leading Spanish Newspaper

Gradual Software, specialists in software for automating the publishing process has transformed the production process at El Pais in to a streamlined, error-free workflow.

Gradual Software, specialists in software for automating the publishing process has transformed the production process at El Pais in to a streamlined, error-free workflow.

El Pais has an average daily circulation of 470,000 copies.

Since installing eight licenses of the software across 17 sites, El Pais has gained greater administrative control over its entire production, said Gradual Software.

Prior to implementing Gradual Software's automated workflow, El Pais production team was involved in consistent trouble-shooting to manage the complex and time critical production schedule, added the company.

Since installing Gradual Software's automated workflow, El Pais, the market-leading daily newspaper in Spain has experienced savings in time and cost efficiency.

Jose Luis Alegre, head of new technologies at El Pais, commented: "Thanks to Gradual Software we are able to integrate the latest production data from incoming materials, such as articles, editorial contributions and photographs, for instance.

Multiple users can access all key materials from wherever they enter the system.

We can accurately oversee current data at all levels, up to final production output.

There is strong evidence of enhanced quality and significant cost reductions.

We are also realising fewer work duplications." The production process at El Pais involves integrating a variety of data, from photos and text to advertising content, delivered from multiple sources such as FTP sites and email, as well as from users in different locations.

The challenge was to gain greater supervisory control over the workflow, whilst ensuring error-free production under tight deadlines.

Gradual Software provided an automation system for publishing that visually links existing software applications and facilitates file transfer between FTP sites, or remote locations.

Built-in tools support a variety of automated functions, such as compression and decompression of files, uploading or downloading of files from FTP servers, email notification and load balancing.

The result is an open standard workflow that facilitates client-to-company and third party communication.

Algere said: "We've achieved 100 per cent process integration as a workflow administrator, thus giving us a common language in the publishing and the production spheres." When deadlines at El Pais are fast approaching, it is important to ensure that files quickly reach their correct destination.

Jose Luis Alegre described the improved functionality: "Files are transferred in to the correct input folders for the PDF generators.

When all functions have been completed files are automatically sent off to print production and dispatched to CTP in-house production, as well as distributed via e-mail to external production and third parties." At El Pais, error-free file delivery and clear communication between all internal and external parties in the production cycle have reduced man-hours that used to be spent on troubleshooting.

"Gradual Software has given us the tools to gain administrative control over our production process in a way that was not possible before.

The result is that the people involved in these processes have achieved a new level of operational control that has dramatically increased the quality and efficiency of our entire production cycle," concluded Jose Luis Alegre.

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