NEWSTEC, Brighton, England, U.K. 21 May 2001 Agfa introduced IntelliNet Series 2 a family of next-generation workflow solutions designed for newspapers. Series 2 expands the capabilities offered by earlier Agfa IntelliNet solutions, which have been installed at more than 250 newspaper sites throughout the world including The Wall Street Journal Europe, Financial Times, Canberra Times (Australia) and The Post Crescent (Wisconsin, U.S.A.). IntelliNet Series 2 includes new products as well as new releases of current products. Its modular approach enables newspapers to choose the solutions they require today and add new capabilities quickly and easily as needed. The system is also designed to accommodate the requirements of every type and size of newspaper. Agfa's new workflow solution is the result of Agfa's experience with a wide range of newspapers around the world, as well as extensive needs analysis. "From our discussions with newspapers, it is clear that they want a broader workflow solution that enables them to add capabilities as they need them," said Andy Grant, Agfa's worldwide marketing manager of newspaper workflow systems. "Newspapers also want automation to extend all the way to the press. And they want a solution that helps bring together the key groups involved in creating a newspaper from the editorial group to the pressroom. We created IntelliNet Series 2 to meet all of these needs and more." IntelliNet Series 2 Overview. IntelliNet NewsFlow 2.0 is the heart of IntelliNet Series 2, automating production workflow management with complete planning, advanced plate annotating, logging, viewing, page merging and pairing, and output capabilities. Designed for flexibility, IntelliNet NewsFlow 2.0 accepts PostScript, PDF, and TIFF files. IntelliNet NewsDrive 2.0 provides a next-generation interface to the entire Polaris family of computer-to-plate systems taking full advantage of the system's latest features and capabilities. IntelliNet NewsDrive goes beyond TIFF buffers and other solutions to provide a complete, productivity-enhancing interface to Polaris. It integrates seamlessly with any workflow that supplies TIFF6 G4 output. Agfa IntelliNet InkSet 2.0 software produces ink-key data tailored to specific presses from ABB, EAE, and MAN Roland. Sites already using InkSet 2.0 report significant reductions in make-ready times and paper and ink waste. IntelliNet PressSite 2.0 integrates the press control system plan with the editorial plan, helping newspapers co-ordinate and streamline production of a high volume of plates. PressSite ensures that the right plate is at the right place at the right time, and reduces platemaking errors. Several options are available for integration with presses from ABB and EAE, as well as custom integration with other press control systems. IntelliNet NewsRIP 2.0 is based on the powerful Agfa Apogee PDF RIP. The IntelliNet workflow can incorporate IntelliNet NewsRIP 2.0 and Apogee Create, enabling users to create reliable workflow-optimised PDF files. This combination creates a simple, reliable, and automated PDF workflow. IntelliNet TIFFProof 2.0 is a powerful software solution that enables newspapers to automate colour proofing of TIFF, PDF, and PostScript files on Agfa Sherpa or other proofing devices. IntelliNet TIFFProof ensures simple automated, accurate content proofing of full newspaper pages. IntelliNet WebTrack 2.0 is Agfa's innovative Web-based global production tracking and proofing solution. WebTrack brings newspapers a complete, secure overview of the entire production run via a standard Web browser running on a PC or a Macintosh. Many of the IntelliNet Series 2 components are available immediately. The complete series will be available in June 2001. IntelliNet Series 2 is designed to help even small local newspapers take advantage of the power of computer-to-plate technology and bring new efficiency to their operations. "IntelliNet Series 2 provides worry-free automation allowing customers of all sizes to achieve more efficient workflow," said Grant. "IntelliNet Series 2 automation reduces costs and opportunities for mistakes." Flexible Solution. IntelliNet Series 2 is an exceptionally open, modular family of solutions designed to fit smoothly into any newspaper operation. IntelliNet solutions are based on standard computing platforms, operating systems (Windows 2000, Windows NT4), networking, and communications. Any components compatible with Windows NT and TCP/IP can be easily added to the production workflow. IntelliNet Series 2 operates independently of the format of the data whether it's PDF, PostScript, or TIFF. This open approach preserves a newspaper's workflow investment even when there are major changes in production methods. IntelliNet Series 2 enables newspapers to integrate their existing systems (i.e. press control systems) and devices (i.e. platesetters, imagesetters, and proofers). Agfa also offers integration consulting services aimed at helping newspapers maximise the benefits of IntelliNet Series 2. Part Of Agfa's Smarter Approach To Newspaper Production. IntelliNet Series 2 is just part of Agfa's wide range of advanced prepress solutions for newspapers, including Polaris platesetters, digital plates and other media, Phoenix News imagesetters, colour-management solutions, screening technologies, digital proofing solutions, scanners, and other key prepress systems and consumables.