ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. — Screen’s inaugural Trueflownet Conference 2004, held May 25-26 in Itasca, Ill., was a great success, attracting printing company executives, production managers and prepress professionals from all across the country. The event was billed as an "in-depth post-Drupa" working meeting. The Trueflownet Conference grew out of the Trueflow Users Group meetings that Screen initiated in 2000. At this year’s event, printing firms that utilize Screen’s Trueflow workflow management system were able to gather information about the latest developments in the entire suite of Screen workflow products, share success stories and talk shop with the developers of the various JDF-compliant Trueflownet workflow modules currently available. “The Trueflownet Conference reflects the dynamic changes in production workflows for new and established users of Trueflow,” said A.J. Kakiuchi, president of Screen (USA). “Trueflownet is taking its place at the vanguard of the JDF movement just as Trueflow stood at the forefront of PDF-based workflows.” The conference began with presentations on the advantages of the Trueflownet operating environment from representatives of three firms: Merit Printing, a Minneapolis-based commercial printer; Cummings Printing Co., Inc., a publication printer located in Hooksett, N.H.; and SetPoint Graphics, Inc., a Northbrook, Ill., prepress house. Each speaker described how Screen’s integrated workflow products have aided his company’s ability to deliver higher-quality work faster and more efficiently. SPEKTA, Screen’s hybrid AM/FM screening method, was among the software products singled out for praise for its contributions in helping open new markets. The Trueflow users were then given a demonstration of the changes and improvements incorporated into Trueflow 3.0. This new format received its North American debut following its successful introduction at Drupa 2004. The conference also provided informative seminars on JDF and Trueflownet adoption and implementation. Technical workflow segments explored the functionality of the Riteonline web browser-based print ordering system, Riteportal method for creating and delivering production-ready PDF files and Ritetransfer client/server communication portal. K. Richard Littrell, of the consulting firm Littrell Associates in Groveland, Mass., delivered a talk on “JDF Present and Future.” Littrell, an expert in capitalizing on emerging technologies and finding new niche markets, detailed JDF’s numerous features and benefits and bottom-line impact. J.D. Bagnell, product manager for JDF connectivity at Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI), headquartered in Foster City, Calif., led a discussion focusing on print management integration with JDF. Bagnell provided valuable insights into the important roles EFI, Printcafe and Screen are playing in the creation of a connected JDF workflow and advancement of computer-integrated manufacturing. In addition, customer forums allowed Trueflow users to interact with Screen management and R&D staff, including factory representatives from Japan, ask questions and discuss challenges, as well as offer their own suggestions on working through specific workflow issues. Moderators employed a hands-on approach to answer questions and demonstrate solutions to certain obstacles. “Loyal Trueflow users are important to Screen,” said Kakiuchi. “From a manufacturer’s point of view, we cannot stress enough the value of such opportunities to help enhance their workflow capabilities, exchange ideas and learn from one another to improve Screen’s software products. We will continue these interactive discussions with our customers in both formal and informal settings.”