Hauppauge, New York/Lynwood, Washington — The interface partnership between Muller Martini and ScenicSoft is moving to a higher level with the release of new and upgraded systems from the two companies, which are being demonstrated at Graph Expo (Muller Martini, booth 1065. ScenicSoft, booth 4248.) This summer, ScenicSoft began shipping UpFront 1.6, the latest major update of its groundbreaking print production-planning tool. With this release, UpFront can export Preps job files and Preps templates. In addition, CIP3 saddle-stitching data files can now be exported to machines equipped with Muller Martini’s AMRYS (Automatic MakeReadY System). At Graph Expo, Muller Martini will introduce a new AMRYS-equipped saddle stitching system — BravoPlus AMRYS. As its name indicates, BravoPlus AMRYS automates one of the most time-consuming jobs in the bindery — setting up saddle stitching systems between jobs. Job parameters can be entered by the operator, retrieved from BravoPlus’ hard disk or captured directly from a company’s prepress system via the CIP3/PPF Print Production Format. It is AMRYS’ full compatibility with ScenicSoft’s Upfront that makes the live link possible. "As our family of AMRYS-equipped systems grows, our connection to ScenicSoft and its Upfront system becomes more productive for our customers," says Felix Stirnimann, Division Manager, Print Finishing for Muller Martini Corp. "Upfront connects the automated advancements we develop for the bindery directly to the MIS systems an increasing number of our customers now rely upon to run their businesses." Upfront extends AMRYS automation through a digital CIP3 link that can accept and interpret PPF files. UpFront generates the detailed finishing data for these devices in the production planning stage. "Upfront uses open standards, such as JDF and PPF, to establish the missing link between MIS, prepress and postpress departments of any printing organization," says Erik Smith, President of ScenicSoft. "This unique production planning tool has proven to be situated at a critical crossroads in the production flow and is enabling upstream as well as downstream connectivity." Data only needs to be entered once, at the beginning of the planning process. Jobs can then be tracked accurately throughout pre-print, printing and finishing departments, reducing setup times along the way, as the files are electronically transferred at each stage. Even where the print is separated from the finishing in different buildings or maybe in different companies, the information can be transferred via email or network link without corruption of data. GATF recently recognized Muller Martini’s strides in automating the bindery by granting its Prima AMRYS a 2002 InterTech Award. "We congratulate Muller Martini for achieving this InterTech with AMRYS," says Smith. "The award is another indication that automation — at the level provided when you link AMRYS and UpFront — is becoming mainstream in our industry."