Düsseldorf, Germany – Drupa – 5 May 2004 – To demonstrate system integration and connectivity at Drupa’s PrintCity, Agfa’s :ApogeeX Workflow system is driving MAN Roland’s DICOweb digital offset printing press, showing visitors a complete solution for digital offset printers. The PrintCity set-up demonstrates how the PDF/JDF-based :ApogeeX system can be used to operate the MAN Roland computer-to-press system. First, :ApogeeX generates digital data for the plateless DICOweb press. Then the laser imaging heads of the DICOweb apply the data to eight specially treated steel cylinders, which act to transfer the images instead of plates. The press prints directly from the cylinders, and can print two sides of the page at the same time. The result of the :ApogeeX and DICOweb workflow is extremely high-quality digital printing. “With the DICOweb we show another example of the power that :ApogeeX brings to printers. Using industry standards, :ApogeeX connects and communicates with practically any output device, and in this case a digital printing press. Agfa, MAN Roland and many others in the printing industry are working together to bridge the connectivity gaps, so that our customers can prosper. We want attendees to see that :ApogeeX excels in practically any printing environment and with any third party equipment,” said Jan De Clippeleer, General Manager for Agfa’s Graphic Systems Software Solutions. "The DICOweb features the only digital offset technology able to image and de-image the cylinder. Even though the DICOweb uses a different imaging technology, its connectivity with the pre-press software that our customers choose guarantees its broad spectrum of use in the different market segments,” said Dr. Josef Schneider, Executive Vice President, Business Unit Digital Printing Systems, at MAN Roland. "Hence :ApogeeX was the obvious choice to show that pre-press for digital and conventional offset are identical." The flexible configuration of :ApogeeX is able to control every type of workflow, including commercial and package printing. Its modular and scalable design lets users custom-tailor the system to meet their needs today, and adapt the system for future needs. The DICOweb presentation at Drupa highlights the seamless integration of pre-press, press and post-press by demonstrating a highly diverse range of print products in different styles and finishing alternatives.