October 16, 2002 -- Just in time for the ifraEXPO 2002 in Barcelona, the companies MAN Roland, basysPrint, ppi Media, Eurografica, SandyScreen, and Fujifilm have joined forces in a cooperation agreement that optimizes the newspaper production workflow by integrating prepress processes, thus tapping additional cost-saving potential in newspaper production. Harmonizing its products and services with the needs of its customers is a fundamental pillar of MAN Roland’s corporate philosophy. The world leader in newspaper presses works only with “Best in Class” partners, giving customers tailored products and systems ideally configured for their specific portfolios. ppi Media has been developing powerful software products for industrial newspaper production for more than 15 years. The ppi production management system automates and streamlines the entire newspaper production process, from copy planning, production control in the ad and editorial departments, to technical prepress, printing, and all the way to the mailroom. With the workflow concept PrintNet ppi Media provides a software-based network that links all the steps of production process on an open platform. The company basysPrint has a well-earned reputation as a specialist for CtP imaging on conventional plates. The UV-SetterTM 57-Z of the new "f" technology generation will be presented in Barcelona. This system has proven to be reliable, fast, and extremely cost-effective in day-to-day operations. The result is an economical CTcPTM (Computer To conventional Plate) imaging capability that truly pays off in newspaper production because of the higher plate consumption. SandyScreen is known for its high-end screening technology SandyP. This fundamentally new developed raster element is different from all previously used raster geometries and gives customers significantly higher image quality. Fujifilm provides conventional printing plates that are 30% faster than comparable plates. The new Brillia UCN-E plate was optimized specifically for basysPrint’s UV-SetterTM 57-Z imaging system. Finally, Eurografica, a subsidiary of MAN Roland, is specialized in holistic systems solutions for production and facility concepts in the newspaper, packaging, and publications printing industry. The company works with MAN Roland to give customers unmatched expertise in the integration and streamlining of processes in the newspaper production workflow. With TINTORELLO Eurografica and SandyScreen developed a comprehensive quality optimization based on the SandyP raster element which focuses on all production processes that are relevant for quality (editorial work, ad production, prepress, print and mailroom). Eurografica also provides support for implementing SandyScreen’s new screening technology. The new cooperation agreement takes the services offered by the partners far beyond mere newspaper production and gives customers significant opportunities to reduce costs and streamline processes while improving quality at the same time. This gives printing companies more flexibility in the market, and allows them to give their readers as well as their advertising customers greater variety. Newspaper production and its costs become transparent, making it easier to plan production, materials consumption, and personnel scheduling. The Vorarlberger Nachrichten of Bregenz is one customer who has seized this opportunity. The company prints two daily and five weekly papers which means a production run of six million copies per week – including a wide variety of more than three million selected commercials. This output is achieved by an MAN Roland GEOMAN newspaper press with forty printing units in 5 eight-couple towers and two folders, printing plates being imaged by a basysPrint CTcPTM imaging system, ppi workflow capability, and SandyP screen raster technology. Eurografica supported the customer in choosing the system and provided the project management for the implementation of the new tools as well as the process optimization at the same time.