ROCHESTER, N.Y. April 6 -- A range of developments for the new KODAK PRINERGY 3.1 workflow systems deliver greater performance, productivity and profitability throughout Kodak's unified workflow. The PRINERGY 3.1 system extends integration, collaboration and automation capabilities with business, digital print and portal workflow solutions, as well as enhancements for PDF and color workflows. Demonstrated at IPEX 2006, the PRINERGY 3.1 system is expected to launch this quarter. PRINERGY software, a third generation PDF workflow for controlling prepress, plate and film production, is the foundation of Kodak's unified workflow solution. The PRINERGY system family features configurations for commercial printers, packaging printers and converters, publishers and ad agencies. A KODAK Unified Workflow solution represents a complete electronic infrastructure for conventional and digital printing that integrates business, production and color workflows, using innovative software tools, open standards and intelligent automation. “By creating a workflow infrastructure across a print provider's entire operation, Kodak's unified workflow helps to gain efficiencies, expand revenues and increase profits,” said Stan Coleman, General Manager, Unified Workflow, Kodak. “These enhancements to the PRINERGY workflow system strengthen the benefits that customers receive from a KODAK Unified Workflow solution.” Business Workflow Integration KODAK Link software, an important option for an integrated, end-to-end PRINERGY workflow solution, automatically gathers production data and job status information to provide production reporting and/or data exchange between an MIS system and PRINERGY workflow system. At its IPEX stand, Kodak will demonstrate expanded business workflow integration for PRINERGY systems, featuring new MIS connectivity options, including KODAK Enterprise Management Solution (EMS) software. EMS is the company's new MIS solution with Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management functionality designed for the unique workflow of print providers. At the CIP4 stand, Kodak will provide a Link 3 software technology preview that features support of the CIP4 JDF prepress to MIS Interoperability Conformance Specification (ICS). In addition, PRINERGY and Link software integration with third-party MIS systems will be demonstrated on the following booths: CIP4, DIMs, Prism, Shuttleworth, Technique, and Hiflex. It can also be found integrated with a Tharstern MIS in the production workflow on the IPEX Daily production booth, also in Hall 5. Enhanced Digital Print Integration New PRINERGY system features include a digital print solution for KODAK NEXPRESS digital presses. Featuring powerful new JDF integration with the NEXPRESS JDF Workflow Planner, the PRINERGY system digital print option unifies and automates offset and digital print workflows. The JDF Workflow Planner gives the PRINERGY workflow system full access to the JDF capabilities of the KODAK NEXSTATION digital front end for output on NEXPRESS presses. Operators launch the JDF Workflow Planner from within PRINERGY Workshop to create JDF templates with access to all NEXPRESS system print settings, from media selection to control over the NEXPRESS fifth imaging unit to gloss, coat or achieve a richer color gamut. Operators define, initiate and automate digital print jobs from the offset workflow, allowing jobs to be redirected on the fly and ensuring optimal press utilization. PRINERGY systems support third party digital presses. Kodak will show output support technology driving digital presses from other vendors at IPEX. New PDF Workflow Developments PDF PlateBuilder software, a recently released KODAK plug-in for ADOBE ACROBAT software, simplifies and automates custom plate creation. The new option adds to the suite of easy-to-learn and easy-to-use PDF productivity tools designed for use with PRINERGY workflow systems. PDF PlateBuilder is used in packaging and commercial print production workflows to significantly reduce the time and cost associated with manually creating custom plates such as white, varnish and bump plates. Kodak's other ACROBAT plug-ins for PRINERGY systems include the Advanced Trap Editor, DotShop, PDF Compare and PDF Merge software. The award winning PDF Compare and PDF Merge software, which automates PDF correction cycles, has also been enhanced to enable the comparing of files with different geometry. Revolutionary PRINERGY Layered PDF Versioning software takes advantage of ADOBE PDF 1.5 layering technology to streamline the proofing, approval, plating and management of increasingly complex versions of print jobs. It combines input file formats into “versioned pages” that can be assigned to page positions, proofed, and plated. File naming conventions can automate versioning processes, helping to simplify decision making and eliminate costly errors associated with versioned jobs. PRINERGY 3.1 Layered PDF Versioning software now allows users to output multiple versions on a single surface. Kodak plans to introduce additional PDF workflow enhancements later this year. For example, a pending update to PRINERGY 3.1 software will allow for Preflight workflow system compliance with the Ghent PDF Workgroup Specifications 2004. Enhanced Web Portal integration Prepress workflow systems that integrate web-based portal products are an important component of a KODAK Unified Workflow solution. PRINERGY 3.1 software Rules-Based Automation now supports KODAK InSite software processes. Rules-Based Automation function is a third generation of automation that enables prepress workflow solutions to react intelligently to actions or events in production when certain conditions occur. Supporting InSite events such as sending e-mail notifications or pre-rendering pages or thumbnails when a page is successfully refined greatly enhances the value of end-to-end automation. The PRINERGY 3.1 system also includes enhanced support of KODAK EyeMedia digital asset management software. Color Workflow Enhancement PRINERGY workflow systems provide the proven, open infrastructure that supports many KODAK color technologies within a KODAK Unified Workflow solution. PRINERGY 3.1 workflow systems extend the flexibility of this infrastructure by introducing the ability to color match files on final output to plate or film. This gives print providers a range of new options to realize greater efficiency, color consistency and cost savings in production. “The PRINERGY 3.1 system builds on the flexibility and usability of PRINERGY technology to deliver greater levels of effectiveness and quality at every step in the workflow,” said Larry McIntyre, Prinergy Product Manager, Kodak. “We're excited to show visitors at IPEX how they can maximize business opportunities with a KODAK Unified Workflow solution.”