Drupa 2004 – Düsseldorf (Germany), May 6th 2004 - GBC Films Group Europe and GBC Europe, introduces StackPortTM, a workflow concept developed by GBC, Xerox, CP Bourg and Duplo. This will be demonstrated on the GBC Stand in Hall 11 and on the stands of the respective partners. StackPort, a collaborative development between GBC, Xerox, CP Bourg and Duplo has been developed in order to simplify workflow in a digital printing and near-line finishing environment. In its Drupa launch iteration, the Bourg deep-pile stacker models DS 5000 and DC HCS have been adapted so that output from Xerox DocuTech 61xx series and DocuColor printers is securely transferred onto a special StackPort cart. The cart with the digital output is wheeled either to a staging rack to await further processing, or directly to a StackPort-enabled GBC Quantum punch or Delta laminator, or to a StackPort-enabled Duplo DSF 2000 sheet feeder for booklet production. The key benefit of the StackPort concept is that it enhances workflow simplification and productivity at modest cost. Further features of the StackPort concept are that the output is handled securely at all times without the operator having to lift and re-load heavy piles of paper so operator fatigue is substantially reduced. Productivity is enhanced by faster transfer from printer to near-line finisher and the monitoring of set integrity is improved. It will be scalable, as many more feeding and finishing solutions become enabled from a wide range of manufacturers. Future planned enhancements also include job-tracking for full integration into JDF workflows. The StackPort concept was first developed by GBC, and Xerox, CP Bourg and Duplo have joined as initial co-development partners. The concept has already been shown to several other Xerox finishing partners who were enthusiastic about the clear benefits that it will bring to print providers and also about its ease of use and ease of adaptation to their products. It is planned that many other feeding and finishing devices will shortly be added to the list of StackPort-enabled products. StackPort-enabled devices can be seen on the following stands: • GBC, Hall 11, Stand D05 • Xerox, Hall 13, Stand A37 • CP Bourg, Hall 13, Stand B69 • Duplo, Hall 13, Stand C38