Chicago, Ill – GRAPH EXPO (Booth #4024) – October 10, 2004 – Recognizing the critical role the workflow plays in any Graphic Enterprise, Agfa continues to modify and improve its popular :ApogeeX. The newest version of :ApogeeX, which features increased Job Definition Format (JDF) functionality and covers all ranges and segments of the workflow market, is being shown for the first time in North America. Along with :Delano and :Arcadia, ApogeeX 3.0 is a critical component of today's Graphic Enterprise, providing users with unparalleled communications and management capabilities. With :ApogeeX 3.0 the incorporation of the Job Messaging Format (JMF) also takes automation to a completely new level providing real time communication between enterprise level systems. Information captured further upstream in The Graphic Enterprise can deliver content and production intent to the :ApogeeX system in which production plans are automatically set up and the jobs processed. Real-time feedback on job status, materials, and correction cycles is provided – all of which is very important to enterprise level management of the print production process. The prepress group at Starkey Labs, the world's largest manufacturer of custom hearing aids, has been using :ApogeeX since the beginning of this year in its in-plant print shop, produces materials for the company's global operations. The in-plant includes a complete end-to-end design, prepress and in-plant print production facility. When Starkey Labs switched over to :ApogeeX, the prepress operators found they had more time to focus on other tasks. "They were spending too much time troubleshooting and correcting files and not enough time inspecting proofs for quality and errors before they hit the press," said Adam Parker, Starkey's media systems architect. "With :ApogeeX, we now experience fewer re-runs and higher first-run quality," Parker explained. ":ApogeeX 3.0 maintains the simplicity and ease-of-use that was well-received in earlier versions," said Agfa's Lesley Hepditch, marketing manager, :ApogeeX, North America. "Its intelligent design and user-friendly interface helps users scale their systems so they can better anticipate short deadline needs or changes in their workflow requirement." Proofing Enhancements in :ApogeeX 3.0. :ApogeeX 3.0 features a number of improvements for proofing, including: enhanced reproduction of spotcolor solids and tints, as well as Pantone blends, duotones and tritones accurate color reproductions from proof to print in dot-for-dot screened proofs from 1 bit digital data on :SherpaProofs additional remote proofing functionality with the :Sherpa Remote Proofing Controller Other new features of :ApogeeX 3.0 include: increased raster data handling capabilities expansion of file formats for integration of non-Agfa devices added support for JDF layout information from independent imposition solutions :ApogeeX 3.0 will be available in the first quarter of 2005.