PODi Announces Pageflex is First Company to Earn PPML Certification

ROCHESTER , NY—February 13, 2007—PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative, announces that Pageflex, a division of Bitstream Inc., is the first to successfully complete PPML Producer Certification, validating their ability to generate high-quality interoperable PPML files. PPML is the interoperability standard for variable data print production.

Certification provides a means for PPML producers to confirm output from their products is compatible with PPML consumer devices, which are also tested. It boosts PPML effectiveness by ensuring workflow interoperability.

“For PPML to work smoothly, producers and consumers must focus on the right way to implement it. Certification was developed as a methodology to ensure companies’ products comply with the documented standard,” said James Mekis, PODi Director of Technology. “Users gain the security of knowing that interoperability has been tested, and their PPML workflow will perform as expected now and in the future.”

PPML gives print service providers (PSPs) more flexibility in assembling workflow to support their customers, unlike other proprietary print stream formats that may limit them to specific vendors. Within the framework of this open standard, PSPs can select best-in-class components with assurance of compatibility across the configuration.

Certification benefits all points of PPML involvement. Manufacturers of PPML consuming products like digital printers gain a quality benchmark for content generated by compliant PPML producers. Service providers have a tested means of evaluating PPML producer systems. Certification success entitles applicants to marketing benefits, including use of the PPML Certified logo, public promotion, and special placement on the PODi website.

The certification process involves four variable data print jobs. The PPML producer creates the four “Golden Jobs” using PODi-furnished asset files that include reuseable images, pictures and names. A PDF of the correct result serves as a guide, along with a description of tested elements and dimensions for each finished job. Certification requires the producer to generate PPML output (using their application) that adheres to the requirements in each Golden Job. PODi’s CheckPPML tool validates the PPML data stream was produced correctly.

The PPML standard is generally available to the marketplace at www.podi.org. The CheckPPML tool can be downloaded from the PODi Technical Working Group website at: http://twg.podi.org/ by any registered PODi general member.

About PODi
PODi (www.podi.org) is an industry initiative with hundreds of member companies, including Executive Board members EFI, Hewlett Packard, Pitney Bowes, Quark and Xerox. PODi leads the evolution of the digital printing infrastructure by promoting interoperability through standards, and advances digital printing business opportunities through market development activities, including white papers, articles, independent reports and industry speaking engagements. Membership in PODi is open to companies and organizations involved in digital printing.