IPG Prepress Guide: Workflow Software

Barr Systems

Barr Enterprise Print Server: input/output management solution. Receives data from multiple sources (hosts, servers, network apps) and outputs to multiple destinations (network and production printers, archive, e-mail, Web).

StreamTracer: high-speed print data stream comparison application for AFP, Metacode, LCDS, PostScript, and PDF formats. It displays “before” and “after” document snapshots side by side and highlights all differences.

EFI

With the Fiery open platform and compliance with industry standards such JDF, PDF, and PPML the Fiery seamlessly integrates into customers’ overall print shop operations, including offset/digital hybrid environments and third-party graphic arts workflows, including CTP environments. The Fiery server is integral to an efficient end-to-end workflow, from a customer’s document submission via the Web with EFI Digital StoreFront through centralized job production management with EFI Fiery Central, and optimal print shop management with EFI Print MIS solutions. Additionally, EFI offers: Splash RPX-ii Mac OS X-based workflow solution; MicroPress raster-based color and black-and-white production workflow solution; and EFI Color Profiler Suite profiling solution for graphic arts professionals.

Agfa

Delano provides a communication framework (internal and with clients) linking business processes (customer service, estimating, etc.) with production processes (prepress, press, post press, etc.). It automates operations and provides tools for monitoring tasks and handling resources.

Delano Production is designed for high-volume printers to manage resources and monitor tasks. Provides communication framework for all aspects of business.

Delano Publish facilitates page production of press-ready PDF files and provides project management tools, including Web-based client collaboration, automated file submission, soft proofing and job approval.

Delano WebApproval is an interactive portal for uploading/approving pages.

ApogeeX workflow provides automation and process control via a drag-and-drop interface. Open architecture enables conversion of different file formats into PDF and is JDF compliant. It integrates with Delano.

ApogeeX Light is modular and can be configured as a single platform to multi-platform system for high throughput and complex processing.

ApogeeX Prime is a single platform version for PDF creation, preflighting, imposition, rendering, trapping and proofing. Upgradeable to Commercial version.

Markzware

Flightcheck is a stand-alone preflight application that scans native and PDF desktop publishing applications to warn the user of more than 150 potential printing problems. Once the problems have been corrected, it collects the job, including screen and printer fonts, as well as images, and puts the files into an approved folder.

Q2ID v3 (QuarkXPress to Adobe InDesign): Provides Adobe InDesign users a solution for converting and migrating QuarkXPress content into InDesign documents.

PUB2ID - Microsoft Publisher To Adobe InDesign: Provides Adobe InDesign users a solution for converting and migrating Publisher content into InDesign documents.

ID2Q (Adobe InDesign to QuarkXPress): Provides QuarkXPress users a solution for converting Adobe InDesign content into QuarkXPress documents.

Océ North America

PRISMA is a family of modular document workflow software that integrates with systems and work processes across a range of printing environments.

Heidelberg

Prinect Press Center: A standardized high-performance control station that combines press operation with color and register control in a single, central console. The Intellistart function allows operators to prepare a second job while the first job is being printed. A large wall screen allows press operators to easily view all press processes.

Prinect Postpress Manager: Enables Heidelberg post press equipment to be linked up online via a JDF interface, providing bidirectional data exchange with a print shop’s management information system (MIS). The TH/KH series of folders, saddlestitchers from the Stitchmaster ST 350 model onwards, the Eurobind 4000 perfect binder and the Dymatrix/Diana die cutters and folder gluers can all be linked online. The Prinect Data Terminal facility allows the remaining Heidelberg post press systems that cannot be linked up online and third-party equipment to be integrated in the Prinect workflow. This means that all post press equipment can benefit from automated central production data entry and comprehensive evaluation options such as actual costing of jobs.

Prinect Scheduler: An electronic production planning system that is integrated into the Prinect workflow. The key benefits include simple operation combined with high flexibility levels for planning changes, and high transparency in production workflows. The Prinect Scheduler will be available as an option for the Prinect Integration Manager, bringing together the print shop’s planning activities and electronic production control in one user interface. This tight linkup to production enables the Prinect Scheduler to have an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of all print jobs at any time.

Eastman Kodak Co.

Prinergy workflow systems are modular and scalable PDF-based solutions that deliver intelligent automation, optimized production management and flexible integration options. Version 4 offers support for transparencies, digital print automation, new digital notes, custom fields and connection to Kodak Web-to-print solution.

Prinergy Evo is an entry-level, end-to-end workflow with an intuitive interface. Prinergy Powerpack delivers specialized prepress tools needed to build and preflight packaging files. Features high-resolution screening, support for Spotless printing solution and DotShop Acrobat plug-in to select, customize and control screening options.

InSite software creates a portal into Prinergy and Brisque workflow solutions using a standard Web browser for job submission, remote proofing and collaborative content approval.

Preps 5.2 imposition software supports PostScript, PDF, EPS, DCS and TIFF source files. Accepts more than 200 types of file inputs. Generates bar codes that can be read by WST bar code readers.

PDF Compare software is a quality control tool that analyzes two PDF files and identifies the differences between them. PDF Merge extracts all of the prior work that was done on the plate-ready file and merges those elements into a new revised production file.

Upfront production planning software automatically produces accurate job layouts, creates imposition-ready digital templates for prepress, and sends JDF/CIP3 information to bindery equipment.

Dalim Software

DALiM TWiST is an automated premedia job processing system, designed to streamline the creation of a variety of file types and automate internal production workflow processes. DALiM TWiST can duplicate any out-of-the-box workflow in minutes, and can easily add powerful features that automate production to higher levels. It utilizes existing capital equipment, develops open workflows and delivers predictable results.

Exstream Software

Dialogue document automation software helps leading companies across most industries build and deploy high-volume, on-demand, and interactive, Web-based document applications—including statements, correspondence, bills, notices, forms, direct marketing, Web fulfillment, catalogs, and other applications—and deliver them through preferred print and electronic channels. Its open architecture and robust functionality connect with an enterprise’s data sources, systems, and Web infrastructure so users can create relevant and timely communications that connect with customers at every touch point.

Dialogue Anywhere for Marketing is a browser-based design capability that allows users to incorporate rules-based messages an other variable content into marketing communications from any location, using an Internet browser.

Integrated with Dialogue, Dialogue Live is an intelligent, interactive document solution that provides a common infrastructure for managing the editing of all types of interactive documents—including proposals, collateral fulfillment, e-forms, claims, and more—across the enterprise to eliminate point solutions for interactive document creation and resulting in higher production, reduced costs, less strain on IT resources, fewer calls to customer service, and more satisfied customers.

Enfocus

Enfocus Instant PDF 4 produces press-ready PDFs using Certified PDF technology. PDFs comply with print vendors’ specifications. PitStop Professional 7, the de facto standard, preflights, edits and fixes PDF files. Most file issues causing problems on press are caught with custom preflight reports. PitStop Server 4 is a preflighting and auto-correction tool for high-volume PDF workflows, supporting PDF and Ghent PDF Workgroup industry standards.

Presstek

Presstek Momentum Pro is an integrated workflow and RIP. Building on Momentum RIP technology, the Momentum Pro workflow is designed to streamline and automate the production process using Certified PDF tools. The workflow can be used as a centralized PDF creation and preflight system, ensuring consistent output to multiple devices. Momentum Pro is a simple, affordable PDF workflow solution for small to mid-size printers.

Presstek adds the Press-sense suite to its Momentum Pro integrated RIP/workflow solution for a Web storefront that manages and automates the entire operation. Press-sense iWayTM and Press-sense Manager are a complete Business Flow Automation, workflow and tracking system that seamlessly integrates the entire process from a request for a quote all the way through to delivery and billing.

Mitsubishi Imaging

SDP Smart Tools is a family of workflow modules that automates virtually all aspects of file preparation. The tools cover functions such as PDF creation, preflighting, trapping and CIP3 connectivity. By automating these tasks, SDP Smart Tools can save time and money in the print preparation process.

With SDP Smart Tools, you start with the components you need today, then add capabilities as your needs grow. The client-server feature lets your production team manage common preproduction tasks from any desktop in the shop. The new features in v3.3 put even more control into the hands of the operator and offers greater ease of use and flexibility, especially when it comes to managing the RIP.

OneVision

Asura is OneVision’s flagship extensible workflow software solution that streamlines and automates the preflighting and normalization process by examining, correcting and optimizing files of all types. Once corrected, Asura generates a new clean file in the following formats: PDF, EPS, PostScript, and generates TIFF and JPEG thumbnails. Asura operates on the Windows platform, is hot-folder based and can accepts files from both PCs and Macs.

Screen (U.S.A.)

Trueflownet is a JDF-based solution that provides an end-to-end operating environment designed to enable automated, streamlined print ordering and production, coupled with integrated production management. It incorporates a network of scalable, open workflow modules.

Trueflow 3 workflow system provides automated trapping, RGB conversion, imposition and all common prepress functions. Drives CTP and digital print workflows with end-to-end automated processes, from MIS to postpress processing.

Ritecontrol enables administration and control in a multiple Trueflow 3 environment with routing of JDF files.

Trueflow 3 ArchiveManager enables jobs to be stored off-line and restored, as needed.

Trueflow Elite workflow is designed for large, high-volume printers and manages flows across multiple production sites and devices. Features include job management, PDF trapping, networking and connectivity to different output devices.

Trueflow Rite is an entry-level workflow that features PDF-based RIP operation, trapping and other basic functions.

Riteportal SE provides a customized, branded PDF creation Web application with preflight and online job submission capabilities.

ColorGenius DC Smart (client module) and DC Pro (2 clients and server) image processing software converts RGB images (imported from digital camera or image libraries) into CMYK or grayscale images. DC Pro adds support for hot folders.

Printable Technologies

Web-to-print solution provides a procurement and production workflow for print buyers and printers. Buyer-facing PrintOne Store is scalable to thousands of items and tens of thousands of users, and offers secure online access to branded catalogs of static, versioned and variable documents plus inventoried items. PrintOne Dashboard online control panel enables users to control access, orders, RFQs, job specs, file transfer, reports and administrative tasks. FusionPro family is a suite of variable data and on-demand document creation tools. ProspectLinks is a Web-based system that creates personal URLs for direct mail.

Xanté

OpenRIP Symphony is an Adobe PostScript 3 RIP that features the new Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE) and a multi-device workflow that automates prepress production. Drives platesetters, imagesetters, digital color presses, copiers, printers and plotters.

Xerox

Xerox VIPP Pro Publisher, its new Adobe InDesign Plug-In for the Xerox FreeFlow Variable Information Suite, allows graphic designers to use the familiar, graphics-rich Adobe InDesign software to produce customized statements, postcards and direct-mail pieces. It lets users design applications on a PC or Mac with VIPP PRO output. VIPP PRO is an optimized data stream that eliminates pre-composition and enables faster output speeds in order to complete jobs more quickly.

Xitron

Navigator GPS, based on the Harlequin RIP core and Xitron’s RIP Manager, moves control of the RIP to the prepress workstation. Xenith 4PDF, Extreme and Sierra workflow solutions are based on Adobe technology, including the latest PDF Print Engine. All Xitron RIPs and workflow solutions can drive more than 250 output devices, including proofers, platesetters and DI presses.