Drupa Preview, Buren, The Netherlands (February 20, 2004) – Creo Inc. introduces version 3.0 of Synapse UpFront production planning software with improved integration with Preps imposition software. Printers are discovering that this innovative tool can add an extra percentage point to their bottom line through improved planning accuracy and efficiency gains. Version 3.0 of Synapse UpFront expands the current JDF data imported from management information systems (MIS) to JDF 1.1a and can now export the data back to MIS. Other new features include new cutting styles and support for 5, 7, 9, 12, and 16 sections per layout plan, and expanded page-limit per section-plan from 100 to 256. JDF 1.1a finishing data is also now exported directly to drive cutters, folders, saddle-stitchers, and soft cover binders for automating time-consuming steps in the production cycle. Synapse UpFront software imports JDF files from estimating systems that allow planners or customer service representatives to start a job plan quickly, based on the original estimate. After completing the job planning process, UpFront exports Preps templates and jobs complete with marks—saving time and reducing costly imposition errors. Using Synapse UpFront software results in dramatic decreases in labor costs in the planning department because manufacturing plans require less time to prepare and their accuracy is greatly improved. Labor costs in prepress are also reduced when detailed and accurate job plans are created in Synapse UpFront. This also reduces material costs as fewer plates are spoiled due to inaccurate layouts. On press, the benefits include efficiency gains in makeready due to more consistent use of standardized, accurate layouts. “I look at Synapse UpFront as a best practice tool,” explains Peter Doyle, operations manager, Action Printing, Fond du Lac, WI, USA. “It has eliminated variation by standardizing our procedures, and has really helped our makeready times. In the past, no two people could create the same layout, and we saw a tremendous amount of variation in how different people would plan a job. Now, as we learn what layouts run best through our plant, we can incorporate them into Synapse UpFront and they become our default operating procedures.” New Version: Preps 5.0 Creo introduces the latest version of Preps, the leading digital imposition tool worldwide, with more than 22,000 copies in use. The most significant upgrade in more than four years, Preps 5.0 introduces long-awaited support for Mac OS X. In addition, the new SmartMarks feature allows users to create and edit templates in a fraction of the time it took with previous releases. For example, in one action an operator can drag a group of SmartMarks onto a press sheet and any number of marks will automatically be placed according to the ‘smart’ positioning rules. Prior to Preps 5.0, this procedure involved individually placing each mark in a static position. Other new features of Preps 5.0 include mark sets; Adobe Acrobat 6 and QuarkXPress 6 compatibility; Xerox DigiPath 3 and 4 compatibility; PDF Native enhancements; and JDF workflow enhancements. New Version: Pandora 2.6 Creo is also releasing a new version of Pandora software, the step-and-repeat tool for folding carton and label manufacturers. Pandora 2.6 supports Mac OS X and includes impressive performance improvements —up to 90 percent over Pandora 2.5 running on OS 9. Other new features include a preview window that allows users to review artwork, and greatly improved import functionality. Pandora software uses open file standards such as PDF and JDF to enable seamless integration with many workflow systems. The latest versions of Synapse UpFront, Preps and Pandora software will be demonstrated at Drupa 2004 on the Creo stand, B10, Hall 4, from May 6-19, 2004.