Software

Denona, Ltd offers its initial assessment of its new MIS solution from EFI. The software suite includes EFI Monarch, AutoCount and Printflow. Denona also uses Epson SpectroProofer driven by EFI Colorproof XF. According to production manager, Robert Valpotic EFI's MIS system saves the company money, increases productivity and allows Denona to offer customers added value.
 
With services ranging from graphic design to finished product, Denona's workflow is not easy to manage. Valpotic identified estimating as one of the most vulnerable points in the workflow. Faulty manual calculations can quickly erode the bottom line. He recommended a central MIS system for a variety of reasons.
 
"Having everything in one system: estimates and jobs, purchase orders, inventory receipts and material transactions allow you to easily locate information instead of searching through lots of papers, and most importantly it allows you to compare real material and production costs with estimated costs for a job. This is really important for every company. It allows you to identify which types of jobs are most cost effective and most profitable and then build a sales strategy around that", said Valpotic.
 
With 90 employees, located in Croatia's capital city of Zagreb, Denona is proud of its growth over the last 18 years. Valpotic attributed this to staying on top of technology, which allows him to give customers the quality and service they require. Denona produces the full gamut of printed products from books and magazines to posters and leaflets.
 
"Monarch Foundation provides a comprehensive solution for purchasing, inventory, estimating and job management. One of the biggest benefits is the elimination of mistakes from manual calculation. If a customer requests a new estimate for a different quantity, you can make a revision and have a new price in only few seconds which is 100 times faster compared to manual estimate," said Valpotic.
 
"AutoCount gives very precise, real-time shop floor production data, which can help in comparison of press operators, for example. We can also identify bottlenecks associated with waiting for plates, paper, etc.
 
"Printflow improved our scheduler's productivity because it automatically evaluates each job to determine the optimal schedule for each work centre. Printflow optimises the use of employees and equipment, and the best feature is on-time delivery", added Valpotic.
 
Valpotic also praised EFI's Colorproof XF. The combination of the Epson, a spectrophotometer and Colorproof's linearisation capabilities ensure him his colour proofs are 100% accurate, he said.

 

SP Group, the UK’s leading retail marketing services business and one of Europe’s largest POS production specialists, has increased production efficiency and achieved significant ink savings by investing in a full suite of Alwan Color Expertise Technology. The software solution, which was installed by Alwan’s Expert UK Distributor, Colour Engine, comprises Alwan CMYK Optimizer ECO, Alwan Print Standardizer, Print Standardizer Viewer and Alwan Print Verifier.

“Alwan is delivering real cost savings - we are confident of at least 10% savings and above -  but to look at the end result, you wouldn’t have thought we were using less ink as our print looks as good as it has always done,” says Nick Stevens, Technical Director at SP Group.

SP Group has a complicated production set-up with a mix of both digital, Screen Print and litho output. For over two years Nick Stevens meticulously researched and tested all the solutions on the market.
“We needed a solution that would simplify and automate production at SP Group whilst delivering ink savings and reliable, consistent print across all platforms,” says Nick Stevens. “Out of all the products we looked at, Alwan ticked the most boxes and importantly, plugged into our existing Dalim workflow so we were able to avoid the expense and disruption of a whole new installation.”

SP Group produces various retail advertising elements for one campaign on different output devices and it is vital that the quality and colour of the images is consistent even though one element has been produced digitally and the other litho. “The Alwan solution is configurable to all our different processes and we find it fast and easy to maintain,” continues Nick Stevens. “Colour Engine has been really helpful and they really know Alwan well. I would recommend them to anyone as technology partners.”

SP Group production includes one Inca Onset S70; two Inca Colombias; two HP DesignJets; four HP Indigo 5500; three Epson printers for proofing, two Lamdas and a KBA 205 large format litho press.

At Sign & Digital, EskoArtwork announced that it has signed up City and West End Solutions (CWES) as the first UK partner for its i-Cut Suite of Signa and Display workflow solutions.

As the largest wide format reseller in the UK, CWES is ideally positioned to drive sales of Esko’s RIP-, colour- and printer-independent workflow software.

PitStop Connect 10 connects printers and publishers with their customers, ensuring hassle-free file delivery and PDF quality control. By eliminating errors and streamlining the production process, users can save time, cut costs, reduce stress and improve customer satisfaction. New to PitStop Connect 10 is automatic updating of Connectors, secure file transfer and personalized service by using intelligent metadata through enhanced Switch 10 support.
                                     
PitStop Connect 10 allows printers and publishers to easily create and distribute Connectors, i.e. small desktop tools to which customers drag and drop files. It offers a single gateway for file transmission that can be made more predictable using Enfocus’ bulletproof PDF preflighting and correction technology within a Connector. Issues such as missing fonts and low-resolution images are detected, and if possible even corrected automatically.

Customised metadata fields can be set through integration with Switch, and can be used automatically for routing and processing decisions thereafter. Using Connectors significantly reduces job cycle times and costs, and makes file delivery a hassle-free process.

“All too often file delivery causes problems on both the production and creative sides of printing and publishing workflows,” says Elli Cloots, Director of Product Management at Enfocus. “What is needed is efficient communication between all parties, and that is precisely what PitStop Connect 10 delivers. It allows for streamlined delivery of files that will fly through the production process, and enables printers and publishers to cement business relationships with customers.”

PitStop Connect 10 not only benefits printers and publishers, it also makes life easier for creatives. They can save time and enjoy invaluable peace of mind knowing their files comply with the printers’ requirements and will be printed as intended – no more last-minute phone calls to correct errors.

Connectors are free for creatives and can be downloaded straight onto their desktop. Connectors do not require any installation and simply run when required. Those sending files are given immediate feedback when the file has been delivered correctly. For PDF files, the sender can view the preflight report to identify and solve any issues, or see the automated fixes that took place.

What’s new?

With PitStop Connect 10, whenever the printer or publisher changes preflight and delivery settings in a Connector, these settings are automatically updated and distributed to all installed Connectors. This ensures everyone in the delivery chain is working with the correct parameters.

Additionally, PitStop Connect 10 has a smooth interface with the Switch 10 suite of automated workflow solutions from Enfocus. Intelligent metadata fields can be set within the Connector so that customers only have to fill out relevant and personalized information. Once received at the printer or publisher side, files can be quickly and easily sorted, managed and processed. Through Switch and the integration with MIS and ERP systems, it is possible to re-use existing information and maximize efficiency and customer service. [1]

File transfer security has also been improved, using the industry-standard SFTP. PitStop Connect 10 is also compatible with the latest preflight technology and PDF standards. This includes Preflight Profiles and Action Lists, as delivered through Enfocus’ PitStop Pro 10 software, and support for PDF/X-4 for printing and PDF/A for archiving.

“PitStop Connect 10 is all about streamlining the workflow and strengthening the relationship between printers, publishers and creative professionals,” concludes Cloots. “The solution ensures files print exactly as designed, which helps improve turnaround times, increases productivity and ultimately improves customer satisfaction. Creatives win as well, as they can relax knowing their files are error free and print ready.”

PitStop Connect 10 will be available in the second quarter of 2011 from www.enfocus.com.

[1] Available from Switch 10, update 1

Enfocus announces Switch 10, the latest version of its suite of workflow software solutions that automate repetitive tasks, allowing printing and publishing professionals to focus on creativity and adding value to their businesses. The new version gives printers, publishers and ad agencies exploring and adding new revenue streams - as well as anyone interested in higher overall efficiency across departments - the simplest yet most robust automation backbone for their organisation.
          
New and enhanced features within Switch 10 will give publishers more robust automation, greater depths of data security, and the ability to extract more value from existing information sources and third-party tools. Switch automation software comes in three versions, depending on users' needs: LightSwitch for smaller publishers, printers or ad agencies; FullSwitch for larger customers seeking greater integration with third-party applications; and PowerSwitch for more complex graphic arts environments.
 
IT departments provide input for wider Switch implementation at customer sites

One of the key elements of Switch 10 development, according to Elli Cloots, Director of Product Management at Enfocus, was the input of Switch customers' IT departments. Many publishers' production and IT personnel have been working together to move Switch into a more over-arching role in their entire operation, as both are recognising the value it brings in connecting with third party programs, including the companies' own DAM and MIS systems, with simple, visual workload management and easy modification of all processes for more efficient automation across all processes.
 
"When Switch is at the heart of your company, you're looking for continuity, predictability and security, and that's exactly what we want to deliver with Switch 10," says Cloots. "We didn't stop there, though. Users will also be able to save valuable time and money through the seamless integration of Switch 10 with third-party business software and databases."
 
Enfocus Switch 10 Highlights
 
To automate with confidence, Switch 10 includes:

• Workload visualiser: continually tracks whether network loads, file volumes and other critical performance parameters remain within workable limits. The tool informs you of any risk to system overload by means of a simple indicator. Switch also provides more advanced monitoring tools to find the reason for the warning.
• Optimised processing: an improved processing engine enabling Switch 10 to handle many simultaneous processes independently of each other. A problem arising with one process will not affect the others.

Enhanced data security is provided through:

• Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP): this is integrated within Switch 10 to ensure that files are sent and received safely over the Internet.
• SwitchProxy module: operations and IT continuity is assured; clients can always deliver to a publisher's server, even if it is being maintained or updated, through a proxy server. This separate module is available for FullSwitch and PowerSwitch users only, as an option.

Users can gain more value from existing information sources and tools:

• Database Connector Module: Switch can automatically use relevant information from other business software such as MIS and ERP systems. In Switch 10, integration is even easier through a specific module (optional). Available for PowerSwitch users only upon release of Switch 10 update 1.
• Third-party configurators easier to manage: Switch users can update a plug-in as soon as a new version is published on the Crossroads website. Available for FullSwitch and PowerSwitch users only.

Improve Customer Service with SwitchClient

Further enhancements in Switch 10 (FullSwitch and PowerSwitch only) are improved job filtering, sorting and locking via a new graphic user interface in the desktop SwitchClient collaboration tool, which makes life easier for operators. Customers benefit from an easy and customised interface when submitting files, thanks to the ability to use, and interact with, metadata fields.
 
Availability

The Switch 10 product family will be available from www.enfocus.com in the 2nd quarter of 2011.

GMG, a leading developer and supplier of high-end colour management software solutions, announces Version 4.7 of its GMG ColorServer and GMG InkOptimizer colour management solutions, together with an update of the GMG SmartProfiler profiling and calibration tool to Version 1.5. The new versions are characterised by even greater user-friendliness and maximised production reliability.

The GMG ColorServer colour management software performs fully automatic colour space conversion on RGB, CMYK, and mixed data, in order to obtain uniform colour standards. GMG InkOptimizer has already been in successful use for several years for automatically reducing the amount of chromatic ink used, thereby improving printing properties and enabling cost savings.

New wizard prevents errors

GMG ColorServer and GMG InkOptimizer now feature not only a host of newly revised Device-Link colour profiles, but also preconfigured hotfolders for all standard printing conditions. The GMG Hotfolder Creation Wizard helps users to create new hotfolders, using predefined settings provided for all international printing standards. As a result, possible sources of error are already avoided when creating workflows.

Web interface for cross-location colour management

A standard Web browser suffices to enable multiple users to access GMG ColorServer and InkOptimizer simultaneously to convert PDF files and monitor their processing. This makes both software solutions particularly user-friendly and easy to apply.

Ink Saving Report for improved cost control

An Ink Saving Report integrated in the software shows at a glance how much printing ink was actually saved when processing a file with GMG InkOptimizer. Statistics are generated for each job, indicating the quantity of printing ink required for each colour separation, with and without GMG InkOptimizer profiles.

Extended integration of GMG PrintControl for full process control

GMG PrintControl is the easy-to-use solution from GMG for standardizing printing presses and effective process control in the pressroom. Compensation curves for the tone value increase from GMG PrintControl can now be used directly in GMG ColorServer/InkOptimizer, in order to perform even more accurate colour conversion by taking the individual printing properties into account.

Consistent, identical colour results through central colour management

The combination of GMG ColorServer and GMG SmartProfiler gives users of digital printing or LFP systems, for example, completely new capabilities for raising the colour quality and colour stability of their presses to a hitherto unknown level. GMG SmartProfiler can even be used to create custom colour profiles for GMG ColorServer, as well as printer calibrations for various output systems. Different front ends, RIPs, and printing presses no longer have to be individually configured and synchronised, because colour management is handled centrally and entirely by GMG ColorServer/SmartProfiler. The result: consistent, identical colour results on one or more digital or large-format printing systems and in mixed production environments, whereby colour matching with ISO Coated V2 can be achieved

GMG SmartProfiler Version 1.5 offers greater ease of use and dependability than ever before.

Multiple wizards facilitate profile creation

Different wizards assist the user when creating the colour profiles for GMG ColorServer and the printer calibrations, making it possible to obtain high-quality results quickly and dependably. The software offers extensive predefined settings for specific printing presses and a wide variety of applications, e.g. for optimally mapping ISO Coated V2 in the available gamut of a digital or large-format printer. This achieves maximum colour accuracy and production reliability on any and every output system.

Flexible handling of spot colours

GMG SmartProfiler automatically prepares spot colours for optimum rendering on the press. Channels for varnish, die-cutting formes or white-ink printing can be specifically excluded from processing. That guarantees flexible handling of spot-colour channels.

Easy adaptation to changed output conditions

Changes in the output conditions, such as new substrates, printing modes or inks, can be taken into account without any difficulty. GMG SmartProfiler can be used to create new hot-folders for GMG ColorServer as and when necessary, e.g. if a new printer/material combina-tion is added. Matching hotfolder settings are predefined.

Client/Server architecture

GMG SmartProfiler can now be installed on a different computer than GMG ColorServer, meaning that remote applications are also possible.

To be able to cater even more specifically to customer requirements, different versions of GMG ColorServer, GMG InkOptimizer and GMG SmartProfiler will be available from now on. GMG ColorServer comes as a full version for all conventional printing processes, or in conjunction with GMG SmartProfiler as a Digital/LFP version. GMG InkOptimizer is shipped either with a set of profiles for sheet-fed offset printing, or with profiles for web offset and gravure printing.