End-to-end workflow equips print providers to efficiently produce customized books at any run length – even one   

DÜSSELDORF, Germany, –  Today at drupa 2016, HP Inc. introduced HP OneBook, a multi-faceted suite of end-to-end workflow solutions for industrial book printing, bolstering its leadership in efficient book production, from one book to thousands. HP also announced Webcom Inc., a Toronto-based book manufacturer serving the printing needs of global and independent publishers, as the first HP OneBook customer using PrintOS.

Traditional book production run lengths are shortening and demand for ultra-short-run orders of books is increasing, causing publishers to re-evaluate their supply chains to counteract diminishing publishing industry sales. HP OneBook works seamlessly with HP PageWide Web Presses and HP Indigo digital presses to address the industry's need to eliminate waste, reduce inventories and streamline production, while adding value with highly-customized books at any run length – even one.

"In a time when the value of printed books in classrooms is questioned and overall book sales are declining, print providers and book manufacturers need to add greater efficiency and value to publishers through production flexibility, increased automation and customized on-demand book production," said Eric Wiesner, vice president and general manager, PageWide Web Press division, HP. "HP OneBook provides our customers with the end-to-end solutions they need to efficiently deliver customized books, journals, magazines and catalogs to publishers and end users on demand in the exact quantities needed."

Flexibility for all publishing production

HP OneBook is ideal for short-run, print-on-demand production of custom books. When combined with HP Link Technology, books can be uniquely and securely identified for traceability and to expose counterfeits, and printed pages can be linked to multi-media content and other online user experiences. Additionally, HP High Definition Nozzle Architecture (HDNA) Technology, which offers breakthrough print quality, versatility, reliability and productivity, expands HP OneBook's application range to include high-quality journals, short-run magazines and catalogs produced on HP PageWide Web Presses.

HP OneBook workflow solutions offer efficient publisher-to-print service provider (PSP) collaboration, web-to-print portals, pre-flight tools, production management and automation, finishing, fulfilment and tracking. Providing flexibility for all publishing production, HP OneBook enables users to select from HP SmartStream server-based and HP PrintOS cloud-based platforms as well as HP partner workflow solutions. In addition, several finishing partner solutions can be integrated, including those from Horizon, Hunkeler, Kolbus, Magnum Digital Solutions, manroland web systems, Muller Martini, Tecnau and VITS International.

HP OneBook enables Webcom to competitively produce ultra-short runs

Webcom selected HP OneBook technology to provide its publishing customers with an automated book-of-one solution to manage its increasing print-on-demand needs. Leveraging its two HP PageWide Web Presses (T300 and T360), HP Indigo 10000 Digital Press and the new HP OneBook technology, Webcom is poised to transform existing book publishing supply chains, competitively producing a single book or ultra-short runs.

HP and Webcom's multi-phased engagement will address Webcom's systems and customer needs and includes full integration of the HP OneBook solution, including the HP PrintOS platform's Site Flow application. Site Flow streamlines print-on-demand production management, while delivering the enhanced automation, visibility and tracking required to support the higher job volumes associated with book-of-one production.

"Publishers need to be able to keep their fingers on the pulse of their inventories and streamline their supply chains," said Mike Collinge, president and CEO, Webcom. "With HP OneBook, we are able to offer a world-class print-on-demand platform that will address publishers' needs for strategic cost-saving initiatives and help them free up capital by reengineering their supply chain models. HP OneBook is the transformative step to provide publishers with a streamlined, highly-responsive and scalable solution for short-run orders."

Webcom will use HP OneBook technology to reduce order management overhead, individual book production costs and production cycle time and will collaborate with HP on iterative improvements. Webcom will also use the solution to scale its production in peak publishing seasons.

Pricing and Availability

HP OneBook on the SmartStream platform is available now. HP OneBook on the PrintOS platform is anticipated to be commercially available in September 2016. Pricing varies based on equipment configuration.

Visit the HP drupa 2016 online press kit for more information on today's announcements. HP drupa updates and videos can also be found on our social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn, and by using the #ReinventPossibilities hashtag.