Software - Workflow

Enfocus has announces the release of Switch 11 update 4, which adds support for PitStop Server 11 update 2, WoodWing Enterprise 8, HP SmartStream Production Pro Print Server and StuffIt Deluxe 15. It also includes a new configurator to control Ultimate Technographics’ Impostrip® OnDemand Automation solution. The Web Services Module for the new version has been reorganized and improved to allow easier deployment into customer websites. Switch 11 update 4 also adds expanded functionality to core Switch technologies.

Support for new features in PitStop Server 11 update 2

Switch 11 update 4 adds full compatibility with the latest release of PitStop Server 11. PitStop Server 11 update 2 includes a new low resolution A4 annotated PDF report for large format documents and Polish language support.

New configurator for Impostrip® OnDemand Automation

Impostrip® OnDemand Automation from Ultimate Technographics provides users with production efficiency to deliver short runs on time, all the time with full control over page position, variable gutters, bleeds, dynamic barcode and control sheets for best quality.

“With Switch connectivity, we move closer to universal open prepress automation,” says Joanne David, President and CEO of Ultimate Technographics. “Users can now connect the entire prepress production to web-to-print and improve management of short runs from a single platform.”

Updated configurator for WoodWing Enterprise 8 adds new features

WoodWing´s solutions are used by the full spectrum of publishers for the publication of media-rich content. These include print, online and mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets.

With the enhanced integration of Enfocus Switch and WoodWing Enterprise, publishers are able to automate their media production processes. Reception, sorting, processing and routing of assets can be fully automated by Switch.

The new configurator for WoodWing Enterprise adds a dynamic selection option for the Current Issue and Next status, support for Dossier and Child object, including compatibility with version 8.

Updated configurator for HP SmartStream Production Pro Print Server

HP SmartStream Print Servers are reliable, high-performance solutions that grow with business volume, production and application complexity to maximize productivity from HP Indigo digital presses.

HP has enhanced its HP Digital Front End JDF Control configurator (now version 1.5) to allow users to drive all JDF settings through variables or script expressions for better automation of workflows. Now settings in the configurator can be driven from data in an external XML file, database entries, metadata or any number of sources.

The updated JDF configurator includes additional JDF capabilities such as multiple substrate selections, banner and divider sheet selection; retain time, jogging and the ability to drive PPML assets using external assets in a ZIP package.

Support for StuffIt Deluxe 15

Switch 11 update 4 includes a new configurator that adds compatibility with StuffIt Deluxe 15.

Web Services Module sample integration enhanced and simplified

The Web Services Module for Switch enables any web browser to become the front-end to a complete print production workflow, a document or digital asset management system or any other process automated by Switch.

The sample now delivered with the Web Services Module has been reorganized and improved to make it easier for integrators, 3rd party vendors and users to incorporate the sample integration into their own websites or web offerings.

To better understand the possibilities of a browser-based SwitchClient implementation using the Web Services Module, a sample integration is available at switch.enfocus.com.

Switch core technologies benefit from added functionality

Switch 11 update 4 includes a new “Calculation” variable feature that enables conversion of Switch text variables to decimal values with a user-defined level of precision. Calculated variables allow to create expressions that can be used anywhere within a Switch workflow.

“Previously, converting between different measurement systems and performing calculations required custom script elements. The new Calculation variable feature allows all users to quickly and easily build and compare values created from any available Switch variable,” adds Elli Coots, Director of Enfocus Product Management.

The Archive hierarchy flow element is a tool used for archiving jobs in any desired folder structure. Switch 11 update 4 adds outgoing connections to ensure jobs are stored in the archive before notifications are sent or jobs are delivered to external destinations.

The Execute command flow element allows Switch to control command line programs, passing files to these third-party applications for processing and receiving the results back into the workflow. In Switch 11 update 4, the Execute command tool can optionally be set to “Concurrent” to process jobs simultaneously when using an application that supports multiple instances.

Availability

Switch 11 update 4 is available immediately from the network of Switch authorised resellers, integrators and technology partners.  For more information on pricing and modules, please contact your preferred reseller or contact sales@enfocus.com.

HP has announced the worldwide availability of HP SmartStream Production Center and HP Indigo Print Care 2.0.  Both offerings are designed to help increase the productivity and efficiency for printer service providers across entire print production operations.

First seen as a prototype at drupa 2012, HP SmartStream Production Center is a software-based production management system that is designed to address the challenges of efficiently receiving, producing and delivering high volumes of short-run print jobs. The system helps PSPs meet aggressive customer deadlines by improving job status visibility, identifying and eliminating bottlenecks, and monitoring production, enabling more effective use of the PSPs' capital equipment.

HP SmartStream Production Center is a versatile system that can fit into any production environment. It manages a high number of jobs received from multiple sources, including web portals, MIS systems, and prepress tools.  It then automatically routes them to multiple production platforms, regardless of whether they are HP Indigo Digital Presses or non-HP digital presses, offset presses and finishing equipment.

HP SmartStream Production Center tracks print jobs from start to finish in real time using job definition and job messaging formats (JDF/JMF), barcode scans or manually entered data. Customisable dashboards then display a comprehensive view of the print production status and highlight urgent requests or errors to production managers and press operators. The system batches print jobs together and balances loads between devices to optimise production.

"PSPs today manage a high volume of short run jobs that incorporate multiple web-to-print storefronts, various presses and finishing equipment," said Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager, Indigo division, HP.  "HP SmartStream Production Center streamlines and automates these increasingly complicated workflows to open the management bottleneck, reduce print production times and make PSPs more profitable."

Seamless workflows with HP SmartStream Production Center

Marketing agency DME installed HP SmartStream Production Center as a beta user in January of 2013. Before adding the system, DME would track production by manually comparing job and shipping reports. After implementing HP SmartStream Production Center, DME's press operators now track individual jobs as they move through production and quickly identify any errors that may occur in real time.

"Implementing HP SmartStream Production Center has helped us engage with our customers better as well as save time and money," said Kathy Wise, president, DME. "We are now producing between one hundred to three thousand jobs in one day and as volumes increased, production became chaotic. Production Center has allowed us to understand what jobs are in the building, tracking each through all the different equipment and processes we have."

On-press support with HP Indigo Print Care 2.0

Another tool designed to increase efficiency and productivity on the production floor is HP Indigo Print Care 2.0, a comprehensive toolset that provides fast, accurate diagnostics, troubleshooting and maintenance tools to maintain effective operations.

HP Indigo Print Care offers on-press diagnostic and remote support tools to keep press operations on track and assist PSPs in any technical issue they may face. Press operators working independently are guided through automated or manual processes, and can also access live support from HP's remote support centres.

Communicorp, a leading marketing company producing solutions for email, social, mobile and direct mail, operates HP Indigo digital presses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. HP Indigo Print Care 2.0 helps Communicorp pinpoint issues and complete tasks efficiently.

"HP Indigo Print Care is like having a permanent, on-site instructor and engineer," said Greg Weaver, digital print bindery supervisor, Communicorp, Inc. "It helps us identify and fix problems to keep the presses running around the clock."

[Image shows Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager, Indigo division, HP]

Clarity Software has announced it will be unveiling its 'ground-breaking' Web to MIS™ innovation at April’s Sign & Digital UK exhibition in Birmingham.

Delivering a fully joined up system for the industry, Web to MIS makes it easy for users to merge their day-to-day processes together through simple data movement. Joined up technology gives staff the freedom to enjoy a fresh new way of working and focus more time on the important jobs that make a real difference to the growth of the business.

“The innovation has been driven by a persistent demand for print and sign companies to use the power of web and mobile systems,” says Emerson Welch, marketing manager for Clarity Software.  “We conducted a customer survey in January this year and 94% of respondents confirmed they wanted to use their website to gain more business, whilst 72% claimed they needed system access from outside of the office. It’s right up there on the wish list.”

With Web to MIS simplifying operations, users can build and integrate an e-commerce website with their MIS, carry out email and web marketing campaigns, use remote CRM software for sales activity and capture proof of delivery processes from a mobile app in one unified working environment.

Favourite computer devices are brought into play by using web browsers for many tasks, allowing tablets, smart phones and other convenient portable hardware to become the number one machine to use for regular duties.

“The end game of Web to MIS is to help users get integrated and sell more,” Welch summarises. “It boosts business and delivers return both on the bottom line and in a higher quality of working life that everyone can look forward to experiencing.”

For more information, please visit Clarity Software on stand J60 at Sign & Digital UK.

Caldera has launched PrintBoard - a software signage system designed to provide printers with a dashboard display of their production status.  The software interacts with Caldera’s RIP to display data including daily square metres produced, productivity of each printer and the job queue. The display can be fed to up to five screens, including a mix of large flat panel displays and tablets, such as the iPad. Those screens can be positioned anywhere within the printer’s factory, offices, boardroom or viewed remotely.

"We wanted to provide a platform that could educate printers about digital signage within their own facilities and get the tools in their hands so that they can work with it," said Caldera vice president of marketing Sebastien Hanssens. "We see it as a great tool."

"Our customers told us that they wanted a more visible monitoring solution that would enable them to be more proactive in driving efficiency," said Caldera chief executive Joseph Mergui.

Printers wanting to add digital signage to their range of services can upgrade the system to Caldera’s Variable Display media player. Variable Display supports unlimited content feeds, playlists, content management and RSS feeds, to enable a basic digital signage solution.

"Variable Display is very easy for the printer to use," said Hanssens. "Digital signage is not the enemy for print, as many may believe, it can be a friend. We believe there are great opportunities for combining print with digital signage, such as using printed graphics around monitors – a TV screen on its own is boring."

Inca Digital Printers has launched a user-friendly analytics application - ReporterPro - designed to give managers a clearer understanding on the productivity and efficiency of their Inca Onset and Spyder wide-format printers.  The software gives production managers the ability to monitor their Inca flat-bed printers and access a wide range of production statistics from a web browser-based interface. It provides a detailed overview across a range of metrics and can generate a variety of internal management reports, allowing managers better insight to fine-tune production schedules and increase efficiencies.

Inca ReporterPro provides job, customer and machine production data, either dynamically or at preset intervals through a user-friendly ‘Dashboard’. Different users can set up their own Dashboard view, displaying their preferred choice of job metadata. Using standard SQL database queries, users can search on multiple criteria such as filename, job number or customer name and have the results regularly updated on their Dashboard, or used to generate reports.

The system can deliver specific data such as individual machine uptime, productivity (e.g. total number of sheets printed and job production time) and quantity of ink used per job. Users can easily generate production reports for a single machine focusing on a specific timeframe, or they can examine data relating to jobs for a single customer that are printed on a number of different Inca devices. The information can be used to improve the accuracy of job estimating and assist with production planning. If required, ReporterPro data can be imported into an Excel spreadsheet, estimating system or even an MIS. This facility allows the user to manipulate the data using existing IT applications.

“Today more than ever, print service providers need fast, accurate production data in order to maximise profits, increase efficiencies and reduce waste,” says Heather Kendle, sales and marketing director at Inca Digital Printers. “Inca ReporterPro gives users desktop or network access to comprehensive insights and metrics on printer use and performance across multiple Inca machines, helping deliver increased transparency on job costs and production efficiency.”

Fujifilm, Inca’s excusive global distribution partner, will offer Inca ReporterPro software with all new Inca Onset printers, along with Inca’s Print Run Controller, a PPML-compliant print scheduling and collation module, and the Inca Accelerator productivity enhancement option.

 

Caldera has launched a new software and hardware bundle that allows PSPs to harness the power of digital signage on their own production floors. PrintBoard, launched last year as a plug-in for Caldera Print & Cut solutions, interacts directly with a Caldera RIP Version 9.10 to display real time output statistics on-screen.

The standalone PrintBoard package will include the Variable Display media player with a 'light' Variable Display software licence, the PrintBoard plug-in for €995. This will enable the user to monitor up to five contents per server, plus the PrintBoard session, with the option to upgrade to the full version of Variable Display for €495.

PrintBoard displays information such as the daily square metre production rate, the rate per printing device, the percentage of production per printer and per type of printer and the number of errors per day, alongside the sequence of jobs lined up for each device. This allows for an at-a-glance overview of the workload, and makes it easy for production managers to order jobs for optimum efficiency and productivity.

"Our customers told us that they wanted a more visible monitoring solution that would enable them to be more proactive in driving efficiency, so we came up with PrintBoard," explains Joseph Mergui, CEO Caldera. "It makes use of data that is already generated by the RIP and displays it in an intuitive format that can be shown anywhere: on the print shop floor, in the office – even in their reception area. Once again Caldera is demonstrating the forward-thinking approach to printing that we know our users value highly."

The web-based platform-independent PrintBoard solution can be accessed from anywhere, including mobile devices like the iPad and Android tablets. The Variable Display management software is easy to use, even for those with no previous experience of using digital signage systems, and the hardware is able to drive any kind of digital display while its compact design allows it to be installed discreetly almost anywhere. Caldera is confident that when PSPs experience the ease of using Variable Display with PrintBoard for themselves, they will realise the value of being able to offer Variable Display as an add-on product to their own customers.

"Variable Display was initially developed as a digital signage solution for wide-format PSPs to offer alongside their printed products," Serge Clauss, Product Sales Manager, Caldera. "That it is also offers a great way to monitor production with the PrintBoard plug-in is a bonus. We see great potential for PSPs to expand into digital signage with Variable Display, and we're sure that once they see how powerful the technology can be in their own businesses, they will want to capture a slice of the market for themselves."

The PrintBoard package is available with immediate effect from Caldera partners.