Drupa Preview, Buren, The Netherlands (February 20, 2004) – Creo Inc. is launching the Synapse NewsManager workflow at Drupa 2004. This powerful new PDF workflow management tool for newspaper prepress will help newspaper printers improve productivity, grow sales and reduce material costs. The Synapse NewsManager workflow is based on open file standards and integrates easily into newspaper printers’ existing systems. Synapse NewsManager is scalable to meet the needs of any size printer, from contract printers to metropolitan, national and international dailies with multiple print sites. The Synapse NewsManager workflow enables a flexible and automated workflow from edition plan to plate production. It includes the Edition Planner, which defines the attributes of upcoming publications; the Database Server, which reads edition plans, maintains workflow definitions and tracks all processing activity; and the Process Monitor, which allows operators and management to quickly visualize the overall status of the publication. “Synapse NewsManager enhances printers’ productivity by automating their prepress workflow and by enabling staff to focus on planning and monitoring production rather than managing files,” explains Chris Bender, Creo newspaper workflow product manager. “Operators at one or more print sites can assess the production status with a quick glance at the Process Monitor. This shared view of a publication’s progress against the edition plan reduces unproductive communication and rework.” Imposition, Screening, Platesetting Control The Prinergy Evo workflow system is the powerful new PDF processing solution that effectively complements the Synapse NewsManager workflow. Prinergy Evo delivers proven PDF processing power with outstanding ease of use. It is highly automated and easy to maintain, further streamlining newspaper workflow processes, while contributing to a low overall cost of ownership. The Prinergy Evo workflow controls prepress, plate and/or film production for maximum productivity and output quality. Based on open file standards such as JDF, PDF and PJTF, Prinergy Evo is ideally suited to newspaper prepress, providing the speed and flexibility that allows newspapers to extend close times and output large numbers of pages faster than ever before. With a PDF workflow, the newspaper printer can use a standard internal file format that is optimized for efficient production, yet retains flexibility to allow for late changes and provides for high-quality, resolution-independent printing on different proofing devices and print technologies. Designed for simple operation from the desktop, the Prinergy Evo workflow provides process templates and an intuitive interface for enhanced automation and ease-of-use. Prinergy Evo also enables the use of Staccato screening for the resolution of fine image detail, elimination of halftone rosettes and moiré, and improved color and tone stability on press. Combined with the use of SQUAREspot thermal imaging heads, Staccato screening delivers unrivaled consistency and output quality. The Prinergy Evo workflow generates proofing output on-screen and to popular proofing devices. The workflow also works with Creo PrintLink software to produce CIP3-compliant PPF files for ink key settings. Synapse Prepare for Newspaper Workflow Synapse Prepare is preflight and file-preparation software that creates production-ready PDF files. With a single mouse-click, an advertiser can create a PDF file from QuarkXPress or Adobe InDesign that precisely matches the newspaper’s technical specifications. By identifying and fixing problems early in the production workflow, Synapse Prepare software can dramatically reduce the costs of reworking and re-submitting digital content. New Trendsetter NEWS Model Creo is expanding the Trendsetter NEWS computer-to-plate (CTP) line by adding semi-automatic configurations for an easy transition to CTP. Creo now offers Trendsetter NEWS models from semi-automatic all the way through advanced features and automation, with speeds ranging from 50 to over 200 plates per hour. The semi-automatic Trendsetter NEWS CTP system will be available in April 2004. See the Synapse NewsManager workflow demonstrated as part of the complete Creo newspaper solution with Prinergy Evo, Synapse Prepare software, and the Trendsetter NEWS CTP device at Drupa 2004, on the Creo stand B10, Hall 4, from May 6-19, 2004.