Digital Front-Ends are a central piece in a digital print operation. Not only do they control and drive the print engine, they also form the connection point to Web-to-print, print MIS or workflow management solutions. As the printing industry is clearly moving toward more integrated automated production, understanding market dynamics and customer requirements of this central component is crucially important to any company that offers DFEs or provides technology that closely integrates with them. This study provides detailed insights to help vendors develop impactful and innovative next-generation DFE and workflow solutions.

Must-Have Market Data & Insight

As part of the study, InfoTrends conducted an extensive Web-based survey among nearly 600 U.S. based print providers to better understand DFE adoption, satisfaction, brand preferences and future requirements. With 30% of respondents saying that they have switched DFE brands for one or more of their current production printers, it is clear that DFEs play a crucial role in today's print operation.

Key study objectives included:

DFE market shares estimates

DFE user satisfaction and brand preferences for all major DFE brands

Adoption and preferences on integration, automated workflows, and hybrid workflows

Data formats/PDL adoption and trends for static as well as variable digital print

DFE switching behavior, problem analysis, migration experiences

Uptake and experiences of native PDF rendering, including PDF/VT

Statements and preferences on AFP/IPDS to PDF migration

Importance and requirements around offering multiple DFE options

Preferences and agreement on DFE fleet consistency

Insights and shifts in where prepress and job management functions are carried out in the workflow, including Color Management, Imposition, Job Scheduling, Job Management and more

Missing functionalities of today's DFEs and future requirements of next-generation DFEs

Insights and feedback on future trends, such as mobile, clustered, or cloud-based ripping

The study also provides market share by duty cycle, speed breakdown, vendor, and environments.

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This is a must-have study for hardware equipment vendors, DFE vendors, RIP-technology providers, workflow management, or other companies in the print production workflow market that closely integrate with DFE solutions.

For more information or to purchase the study, contact Scott Phinney at +1 781 616 2123 or e-mail [email protected]. End of year discounts are available until Dec. 23, 2011.