GRAPH EXPO (Booth #4041), Chicago, Illinois – September 28, 2003 – Agfa today announced the launch of its interactive project management system. :Delano Production strengthens customer communications by enabling online Web collaboration with clients. Designed for the demands of mid- to large-size commercial printing companies, it provides interactive control over projects. It gives users a birds-eye-view of the entire operation with the ability to zoom in to check details on the status of a particular task. :Delano Production tracks and provides feedback on all processing functions from customer/job input all the way to product delivery. :Delano Production takes customer job requests and translates them into pre-defined instructions, making the Web-based communications with the client foolproof. Tasks are automatically organized into a logical command chain. :Delano Production tracks each task from preflight to finishing and feeds data back to the system, where it is all viewable in one single window. "Because the system is Web-based, :Delano Production simplifies and speeds communications with the client. Jobs are produced faster, online proofing and approvals are simplified and all project status data is well within reach," said Deborah Hutcheson, senior marketing manager, workflow and color systems, North America. "With :Delano Production, each level of integration within The Graphic Enterprise reduces overhead, eliminates redundancies, speeds processing and reduces cost." :Delano Production is based on advanced industry production and communication standards, such as PDF, JDF and XML. The system integrates customer service, page processing, prepress, press and post press for flawless job management, all in one easy-to-use application. ":Delano Production is one configuration within the :Delano project management family and is a tool that will help printers reduce their costs, improve their customer partnerships and analyze and improve their ‘best practices,’" said Lieven Callewaert, worldwide product & marketing manager for :Delano. "The beauty of :Delano is that it is built with JDF in mind and can easily exchange data with other JDF-enabled legacy systems." Other functions that :Delano Production includes are: Easy file submission and automatic file reception Product definition specifications Automated job processing Messaging tool that keeps users informed throughout the workflow Page, signatures and product parts tracking with real-time status alerts Online approval of page and signatures JDF job ticket for :Apogee prepress systems Additionally, users can take advantage of several powerful options :Delano Production offers, including: JDF MIS support – taking in customer info, product and process specifications from an MIS system – for more automated workflow JDF job ticket to link with other PDF based prepress production systems Page and signature proof pickup from other open PDF based prepress production systems :Delano Production will be available by the end of the year.