Managing Director John de Jong announces today that Netherlands-based Elpical will begin offering "custom" installs of its sophisticated Claro image optimization solution in response to publishers' requests.

The no risk, no fail, automated image processing solution package includes professional set-up and money-back guarantee, and is available through North American distributor Tools4Media.

Half day, small group demonstrations created for publishers' most knowledgeable pre-media and imaging experts will precede one-on-one demonstrations specially-prepared for decision teams at different publishing houses. The greatest demand at the moment, de Jong says, is in New York.

On-Site Guidance is Critical

Research and customer feedback led to the discovery that customers do not have the time to correctly evaluate image optimization software without the help of an onsite technical training specialist. Getting started with the correct image enhancement settings is a key component of success, and Elpical and Tools4Media therefore decided to include the onsite guidance that will help publications often too busy to implement new technology on their own.
 
"Claro requires a commitment to a significant production workflow change, but one that results in tremendous savings and overall quality improvement," de Jong says. "It's not off-the-shelf software."

de Jong likens the need for supervised Claro set-up to the process of "training" voice recognition software, or even handwriting recognition for Palm and other smart handhelds. "Intelligent software that is engineered to assess and modify files, and jobs, for your particular workflow; of course must learn that workflow, settings, and intended output thoroughly, before it can use the newly-learned material to make files conform quickly and at the highest quality," he says.

"Most publishers, like our customers at USA Today, Meredith and Modern Luxury, want to make a commitment and get the software in and running quickly. This turnkey package was created to streamline capex requisitions and speed ROI."
 
What's Included

The Claro Complete solution includes on-site installation and training by Claro's European and North American technical sales specialists.

Claro Premedia Server license, a failover/development server license, unlimited Photoshop and InDesign clients, and a 12 month software maintenance agreement are all included, making it easier for professionals to estimate cost:benefit for more precise capital expenditure requests; and then calculate real costs and benefits through implementation and evaluation.

Special development that requires programming is not included, but is available.

No Risk

At 40 days, purchasers can receive a refund (minus minimal trainer out-of-pocket expenses) if they are not fully satisfied with the product and its performance.

"Claro Premedia is a no-brainer for customers intent on improving their image workflow," explains Frank Loversky of Tools4Media, distributor of Claro products in the U.S. and Canada. "This package allows the customer to fully understand the product before evaluation, to have an image optimization specialist pass on the tricks of the trade and to have the vendor - Elpical --  better understand the customer's needs during the evaluation process.

"While Claro is an automation solution, publishers understand that it is impossible to automate for every different system, environment, and application, right out of the box."                                                                                                                                                                                                      
"We're excited to offer this high-end, turnkey solution to the North American market first," says de Jong. "Many well-known brands in the U.S. are successfully utilizing the technology, and we're looking forward to making it easier - and more cost effective - for other big names to bring the sophistication inside; all risk-free."

The new turnkey solution will roll out in North America, starting immediately.