Although workflow management in the cloud is a relatively new phenomenon, Agfa Graphics customers can attest to its many advantages in terms of cost savings and increasing flexibility of their operations. Cloud-based solutions are perfectly adaptable to changing needs and the workflow software is always up to date.

Apogee Cloud incorporates the existing Apogee 10 workflow modules, yet relies on the cloud infrastructure, know-how and security offered by Agfa Graphics. This means users run their workflow off-site, in the same private and secure cloud that Agfa also uses for its Arkitex workflow software for newspapers, as well as for its HealthCare business unit.
 
Franco Roda, General Director and owner of Fratelli Roda SA, Switzerland, and Luisa Colombo Crivelli, in charge of Marketing, explain their reasons to invest in a cloud-based Apogee workflow system:

"The advantages add up as we don't need to purchase dedicated hardware, which leads to less energy consumption and more space. We also avoid the costs for hardware and software management and service because we rely on the data security in Agfa's data centers. But most importantly the workflow is up-to-date at all times."

The runtime license is aligned with customers' production and includes hardware, software, support, and ICT-managed services. Apogee Cloud minimizes investments, yet maximizes flexibility. This cloud-based solution is perfectly adaptable to changing needs.

Seiichi Nishikawa, president of the Nishikawa Group, Japan, said:
 
"I had never before considered the investment costs for the management, maintenance, and regular upgrades of the current server a waste. However, we can now expand the functionality without buying a specialized server. In addition, the excessive investment in information security is no longer necessary, and the customer data are always safe. This is incredibly important in terms of business continuity.

Thanks to the proposal from Agfa-Gevaert Japan, we can work with cloud technology already and we value this a lot. Adopting this technological innovation has offered us new perspectives, and we have been able to reform and improve our operations, and to decrease waste."
 
Hosted by Agfa
"Apogee Cloud easily adapts to changing needs in terms of production capacity," says Andy Grant, Head of Software, Agfa Graphics. "The Agfa experts relieve in-house IT personnel of day-to-day tasks, so they have more time to focus on strategy and innovation within the organization. They also ensure system stability by constantly and proactively monitoring processes, aiming at foreseeing and preventing system failures or downtime."

Agfa's hosting service is located in Belgium, monitored 24/7 and accessible by authorized personnel only. The infrastructure also guarantees protection against damage and is ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified.

Apogee 10 and all other software solutions from Agfa Graphics are being demonstrated live at drupa 2016 in Hall 8a under the software cloud.