Chicago, Illinois, USA - Product innovations aren't the only new offerings visitors to Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) will find at PRINT 01. KPG is also unveiling the Champions Program, a series of new customer service innovations available in the United States and Canada region. Champions puts KPG's experience and knowledge of the printing and publishing business to work for customers on a one-to-one basis, analyzing profitability, quality, service, productivity, and press performance. "When you have the resources and depth of experience we enjoy, it only makes sense to share that knowledge with our customers," says Kathy McHugh, Vice President, Marketing, US&C Region. "What's good for our customer is ultimately good for us, too. With the Champions Program, we're looking beyond products to help our customers build systems and strategies that will increase their success." One of the most popular programs within the Champions Program, Press Aim Analysis, will be demonstrated at PRINT 01. Press Aim is an analysis tool that can help pinpoint and analyze the source of color quality issues in a customer's workflow. A specially designed target is processed through the imagesetter, platesetter, or proofing system to shop standards. The printed target is then measured using a spectrophotometer, and the data is processed to generate a series of reports that characterize the system. "Understanding where you are is the first step to knowing where you need to go," says Dick Bucknam, Senior Product Application Manager. "In a digital word, everything is variable. With Press Aim, we help printers understand these relationships. It's ideal for new color setups or for troubleshooting existing workflows." Last year, KPG performed more than one thousand "Press Aims" and fully expect that number to double this year. As part of PRINT 01, KPG will be offering free Press Aim Analysis packages to those who attend a Press Aim demonstration. Customers, who have already participated in Press Aim, praise the program. "Press Aim provides a very thorough analysis of how our press sheet is printing," said Tom Bertolone, Electronic Prepress Manager at Tucker Printers, Inc. in Rochester, NY. "We ran Press Aim with five different plate configurations--direct-to-plate and conventional--and we saw what differences we'd find in dot gain and printability with each. Using Press Aim, our Kodak Polychrome Graphics technical specialist generated a report with everything you'd want to know about each plate, and then a comparison of all five plates. It's been a very useful tool." Other programs falling under the Champions Program umbrella include: Facilities Design / Layout Organizational Assessment Cycle Time Reduction Make-Ready Reduction Waste Reduction Most of the consultative services within the Champions Program involve a one or two day site visit. The results are documented and quantified so printers can see the savings. "The Champions Program gives our customers access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced experts in the industry," said McHugh. "Whether it's waste reduction, facilities layout or matching a press to a proof, we can provide quantifiable recommendations and results. With the Champions Program, everyone wins."