December 11, 2003 -- CIP4 and IPA have announced their strategic partnership to present a "JDF Expert Certificate" program via on-line LIVE educational webinars in 2004. The certificate program is specifically designed for those persons leading their company’s efforts to implement JDF (Job Definition Format) based automated processes and CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) into their operations. This includes Chief Information Officers (CIO), CTO (Chief Technology Officers), and lead systems and technical staff at leading printing, prepress, and publishing companies. The CIP4 organization has developed the JDF certification and training curriculum content. IPA, who has been highly successful in webinar productions designed for graphic communications professionals, will produce, market, and administer the “JDF Expert Certificate” program and testing. The JDF Training Series will kick off in late January 2004. Initial training programs will focus on the main functions of JDF and its implementation strategies. The certificate program curriculum will include 13 programs concluding with a final test examination. Participants will need to pass this test to achieve the “JDF Expert Certificate”. “We want to rapidly increase the understanding of the JDF process to as many companies worldwide as possible in 2004.” says Jim Harvey, Executive Director of CIP4. “We look forward to partnering with the IPA organization, who has demonstrated the ability to effectively and economically reach a wide audience with excellent training and education content for our industry.” IPA and CIP4 will hold a joint on-line teleconference for members of the industry press and media on January 6, 2004 at 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time (US) to more completely explain the “JDF Certificate Program”, curriculum details, logistics, etc. Press/media representatives desiring to attend should RSVP to David Haradon, IPA, [email protected], 610-347-0356. For continuing information, go to www.ipa.org/jdf and www.cip4.org