September 10, 2007 -- At Graph Expo 2007, which will take place in Chicago from September 9-12, 2007, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is showcasing updated versions of its Prinect workflow solutions for new archiving functions, considerably enhanced integration of end customers into the production process, efficient working with PDF files, and additional integration of Kodak NexPress and Canon imagePRESS 7000 into the complete print shop workflow.
The Prinect Color Toolbox for an enhanced color workflow will also be presented at the trade show. In the print shop management sector, the enhancements result in greater integration of business and production workflows and improved communication between the print shop and its customers.
Premiere - enhanced archiving with new architecture -
Prinect Archive System
Heidelberg is using Graph Expo to unveil the new Prinect Archive System, which enables data from processed jobs to be archived on DVD, in hard disk online archives, and on tapes. The module also allows individual file searches, thereby enabling sections of an archived job to be located and rearchived quickly. This new technology ensures data is retained even in the event of hard drive failure, for instance.
Web-to-print - integrating the customer into the process
Prinect is extending the integration of processes in prepress, offset printing, digital printing, and postpress right through to the print buyer. The updated Prinect modules enable print shop customers to be integrated into production processes via the Internet. Over 40 new and enhanced functions and an improved user interface that can be adapted to customer websites facilitate job setup, file transfer, and further automation of workflows, soft proofing, and release cycles. Job status can also be tracked in detail. This significantly shortens job processing times, enables delivery times to be extended, and ensures smoother communication between customers and service providers.
The updated version provides print shop customers with further information on packaging and dispatch. Online orders arriving at the print shop can now also be processed as production jobs. This reduces and simplifies processes, while at the same time boosting flexibility in responding to customer needs.
Faster, more reliable route through prepress
The Prinect Signa Station features several new functions. For example, the workflow now enables layout dimensions to be checked directly on the screen of the Prinect Signa Station and to be output immediately with the proof. The Signa Station also allows a 3D view for checking collating marks and thus early checking of the end product.
The option of producing samples of finished products at the touch of a button without having to output, glue, fold, and cut form proofs also speeds up job processing. Data is output via Prinect MetaDimension, which, in addition to the conventional CPSI interpreter, can also use the PDF Print Engine as an interpreter, thus offering even greater speed and reliability in production, particularly for PDF files with transparencies.
The Digital Print Manager can now also be used to integrate Kodak NexPress into the complete print shop workflow in addition to the digital presses from HP Indigo and Xerox.
Prinect Prinance - harnessing the potential for rationalization
Taxation of products and services varies from country to country. Prinect Prinance now enables invoices to be created with different VAT rates. The individual tax components are kept strictly separate from each other to enable correct accounting vis-à-vis the tax authorities. The application systems of large customers can now communicate directly with Prinance. Processing of frequently recurring transactions such as orders, deliveries, and invoices can thus be automated.
Prinect receives CIP4 certification
The certification program of the organizations CIP4 and PIA/GATF safeguards data exchange between users' workflow products, thereby ensuring the quality and content of JDF implementations in the industry - an issue that Heidelberg supports wholeheartedly. In spring 2007, the two institutions confirmed that version 3.0 of Prinect Signa Station and version 6.5 of Prinect MetaDimension comply with the CIP4 JDF specifications "Layout Creator and Imposition ICS" and "Base ICS" and issued the relevant certificates. Detailed information on the specifications is available at www.cip4.org.