ASHLAND, NY, -- HIFLEX, the global MIS and Web2Print solutions provider and leader in JDF integration and workflow, along with Muller Martini, the world pacesetter in print finishing innovation, and SoftSolutions, a provider of software for the graphic arts industry, have collaborated and successfully tested a new benchmark in digital workflow.

The test configuration included Muller Martini finishing equipment and Muller's CONNEX digital workflow system along with HIFLEX's MIS business automation systems and SoftSolutions' FLEX-OS data integration platform. For this particular demonstration, which was successfully conducted last month, a Muller Martini Primera E140 saddle stitcher was used. The full digital JDF workflow can be implemented on virtually all new and many legacy Muller Martini print finishing machines.

"We're very excited about this strategic initiative between Muller Martini, SoftSolutions and HIFLEX," commented Gary E. Marron, President and CEO, HIFLEX Corporation of North America. "The automated digital workflow solution that we have created as a team provides a mechanism for true JDF integration adhering to an open standard, effectively eliminating the 'islands' that exist between administration, estimating,  order entry and production. This results in enhanced functionality and higher profit potential for printing and binding companies."

Marron continued, "The return on investment that can be achieved across the board by employing automation in printing workflow is very dramatic. This configuration highlights the savings that can be realized in the print finishing category."

"Muller Martini recognizes the importance of the growing need for workflow throughout the entire production floor, including the bindery," stated Werner Naegeli, President/CEO Muller Martini Corp.  "The collaboration with SoftSolutions and HIFLEX to create an open architecture system to offer our customers was a key initiative for Muller Martini.  We realize in these challenging times our customers are looking for forward thinking ideas to help them sustain their business and prepare for the future." 

Printers and binderies now have the ability to integrate their MIS functions and their post-press machines in an open architecture environment utilizing JDF/JMF digital file workflow. Information is electronically exchanged in real time, reducing or eliminating the need for costly manual intervention while also providing more accuracy, speed and productivity in job costing, planning, make-readies, reporting, throughput and many other aspects of production.

"HIFLEX and SoftSolutions are ideal complements to our machines and our workflow technologies, enabling Muller customers both present and future to optimize the profitability that our equipment has been engineered to deliver to their businesses," said Doug Stryker, Division Manager, Print Finishing Systems,  Muller Martini. "And because the new digital solution is built on an open platform, a wide range of print finishing machines old, new and yet to come can utilize this workflow approach to share data and realize the substantial advantages of automation, making the most of return on equipment investment."

"We recognize Muller Martini as a global leader in print production and welcome this opportunity to collaborate on an open integration platform that will serve the print market," said Jay Foster, President, SoftSolutions, Inc. "We've worked with Muller Martini engineers in Switzerland and with HIFLEX MIS software experts in Europe and the USA to quickly demonstrate the benefits of JDF Standards for automating machine setups, automating data collection directly from MIS and equipment, and enabling real-time visibility on performance for better cost controls. This project is a testimony to the fact that JDF integration is ready for prime time."