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News Release from: Xerox | Subject: Freeflow Output Manager
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 01 July 2005
Workflow Traffic Control Software
Streamlines Work
Xerox has expanded its Freeflow digital workflow collection with its new Freeflow Output Manager that is now available.
Xerox has expanded its Freeflow digital workflow collection with its new Freeflow Output Manager that is now available Freeflow Output Manager is a software tool that is said to allow print providers to manage the flow of jobs to the most appropriate networked printer, creating a more cost-effective print operation
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 18 Mar 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Output Manager is claimed to extend the capabilities of the Freeflow Collection, which consists of software and hardware that streamlines the digital printing process from creation to final output and fulfilment, by providing more control over when and how a job is printed, said Xerox.
The software ensures that a print operation's digital fleet of systems works as one.
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Freeflow Output Manager acts as an 'air-traffic controller' and provides a single point of control for directing print jobs to both Xerox and non-Xerox networked printers.
Previously, operators would have to manually queue, or line up, jobs for production on the next available digital device, added the company.
Tom McCartney, the manager of EDS Print Operations, an in-house print operation serving EDS in Dallas (USA), said: "In the time that we have tested Output Manager, we have experienced marked improvement in job throughput.
The product will allow us to take on more print jobs and turn them around faster and that's good for our customers." Freeflow Output Manager comes with a scripting feature that allows it to work with software from other vendors.
Because it supports open industry standards, Output Manager can be integrated with a print shop's existing workflow processes so that print providers can fully utilise their current systems.
Charlie Corr, group director of Infotrends and CAP Ventures, a document technology strategy and consulting firm, commented: "Xerox is a clear leader in digital workflow for production printing.
The Freeflow Digital Workflow Collection is evidence of the company's history and expertise in this market.
It is one of the most comprehensive sets of products that help customers reduce production costs and improve efficiency by streamlining workflow - a key strategy that drives profitable business for printers." Output Manager is claimed to enable cost-effective production of jobs.
When jobs contain mostly mono pages with a minimal number of colour pages, Output Manager can send the colour pages to a full-colour printer and the rest to a mono printer to help keep costs down, said Xerox.
It is also claimed to make work easier for operators by setting up parameters for print jobs based on their characteristics.
For instance, if a job needs to be printed in colour on a certain paper stock, the software automatically knows to send it to the colour printer filled with the appropriate paper.
The product is said to provide a convenient operator interface and, through standard web browsers, operators can select when, where and on what equipment a job is produced, regardless of location.
Output Manager works with digital systems that support LPR and IPP - print protocols common to most production printers.
Joining Freeflow Process Manager and Makeready, Freeflow Output Manager also supports Xerox's monochrome wide-format printing systems and wide-format print operations.
Anoush Dowlatshahi-Gordon, the director and general manager of the production systems group at Xerox UK, said: "The Freeflow Digital Workflow Collection helps improve our customers' processes, reduces their costs, provides unmatched flexibility and enhances one-on-one and print-on-demand applications.
The launch of the Output Manager software tool demonstrates our commitment to the continuing expansion and development of Freeflow, which remains integral to our overall strategy.".
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