Workflow Software Suite Embraces Web-To-Print

Drupa 2008 will see Konica Minolta Business Solutions demonstrate its new Printgroove suite of workflow systems to manage printing from origination through to fulfilment, management and billing.

Konica Minolta said that Printgroove will provide for the increasing need for web-to-print output.

The company added that importance of that area is underlined by the results of an Infotrends survey from last September.

According to estimates given by print service providers, web-to-print volumes are set to increase by 264 per cent by 2010.

Developed by Konica Minolta's in-house team, the four-module Printgroove suite is said to provide standardised mapping of the workflow.

It covers the whole printing process from job submission and shipping to invoice generation and provides a link between the various printing systems.

The company added that POD Queue, the first Printgroove module, manages incoming print jobs and allocates them to the available printing system.

At the same time, it monitors a system's status in terms of finishing equipment and supplies.

It also allows potential bottlenecks to be identified and neutralised at an early stage.

The second Printgroove module is POD Serve, an online storefront available at any time of day, whilst POD Guide is used to manage and monitor the system.

The fourth and latest module, Printgroove POD Ready, apart from editing chapters, pages and individual documents, also integrates impositioning.

POD Ready also allows using pre-press programs that are already available.

Heike Borsch, head of production printing at Konica Minolta Business Solutions, commented: "At this year's Drupa we have set ourselves a key objective of strengthening our position as a partner to the graphic design industry and major print service providers.

Printing systems form just one of the keys to success and making workflows efficient is equally important.

The excellence of Printgroove has been rewarded with a BERTL's Best Award for Innovation.

The Printgroove POD Suite with its quartet of modules is highly integrated with our hardware, which means we can offer customers optimal protection on their investments.".

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