In July, CIP4 and PIA/GATF announced the launch of the long-awaited JDF (Job Definition Format) Product Certification Program, which provides testing of JDF-enabled software. Products that successfully complete testing will be issued a "JDF Certified" logo.

The foundation of the JDF Product Certification Program is the Interoperability Conformance Specification (ICS) documents, created by CIP4 technical working groups over the last three years. Each ICS document is focused on a specific interface between two types of graphic arts systems. For instance, the first set of tests available are based on the "Layout Creator to Imposition" ICS document. According to the press release, "This ICS defines the interface between a layout creation tool and a consumer of the fully populated JDF ‘layout resource’—the files and metadata required by output devices…Tools that consume the layout resource files and metadata may include a device that produces an imposed content file or prepress workflow system that performs RIPing and imposition."

We wanted something that was independent of the vendors and would give users a level of confidence that certified products have the appropriate functionality, that they are exchanging data in the correct format, and that certified products should communicate effectively with other certified products."