Ashland NY - Ryerson University has selected the HIFLEX MIS & Web2Print systems for utilization in Canada's most prestigious college for print industry education – the School of Graphic Communications Management. The software will be used to teach end-to-end print production integration including the concepts of online print ordering, estimating, prepress, press and post-press integration, scheduling and JDF automation.

After successful installation of the HIFLEX systems, Ryerson invited HIFLEX to accept an award as a symbol of their appreciation, marking the second time this year that HIFLEX has been acknowledged by leading schools in the print industry. A number of Ryerson professors and administrators attended the award ceremony to recognize HIFLEX's contribution to the distinguished University. Ian Baitz, Acting Chair of the School of Graphic Communications Management, commented during the award presentation: "We are thrilled to receive the HIFLEX systems because in our view and the views of a large portion of the industry, HIFLEX is a leader in MIS, estimating, and Web2Print software."

Gary E. Marron, President & CEO at HIFLEX Corporation of North America, personally accepted the award, expressing his admiration for the University and the quality of its courses. "Having our MIS and Web2Print systems installed at Ryerson University is a real honor. We are excited to be able to help improve an already stellar program and it is our pleasure to assist in educating the men and women who will become the future leaders of the industry."

62 years of print at Ryerson
Ryerson University has been teaching print since its inception in 1948, when they retrained soldiers after WWII for a variety of different jobs, including positions in print. Ryerson has been teaching print ever since, and is now Canada's premier degree-granting institution for the printing industry. This level of experience and proficiency in all things print, and the focus on producing career-ready students, makes the University an ideal place to install the HIFLEX business automation solutions.

Internally, the University has already installed a variety of software and equipment, including a Heidelberg litho press, a Xerox digital press, Kodak and Agfa prepress systems, as well as a number of different finishing and binding machines. To round out this working print ecosystem, Ryerson decided to add a JDF capable Management Information System which could connect to their current systems and educate students about workflow as a whole. The HIFLEX software was selected after a lengthy deliberation and assessment of competitive products.

Adam B. Kahan, Vice-President of University Advancement, thanked HIFLEX for their contribution during the awards presentation. "With the HIFLEX MIS &Web2Print systems our students will have the opportunity to learn industry standard automation technology that will help give them an edge in today's competitive work force."

HIFLEX in the classroom
Art Seto, a Professor at Ryerson who will utilize the HIFLEX systems to teach a number of classes, explained "We are a Graphic Communications Management program and we pride ourselves on preparing students for the print industry by teaching them the latest technologies.

We wanted an MIS that was proven and verified to have JDF integration with our production components, such as the Kodak and Agfa prepress systems, Metrix planning, and our POLAR cutter. After seeing that HIFLEX had the most proven connections on the CIP4 JDF Integration Matrix as well as 15 CIPPI awards, and an InterTech award for their JDF capable solutions, we decided that HIFLEX was what our students needed."

Professor Seto also discussed his strategy for using HIFLEX in the classes that he teaches. "With HIFLEX I hope to prove to students that JDF automation actually works and isn't just theory." Due to the fact that Ryerson focuses on preparing students to become managers in the printing industry, the Estimating course that Professor Seto teaches goes beyond traditional courses of the same name. "We teach students that MIS is not just an estimating system. It should be about big picture – making executive and strategic decisions rather than just focusing on getting the next job out."

Students will also get to see the massive improvements that JDF provides in post press during Professor Seto's Bindery course. He will demonstrate the traditional way to set up a saddle stitcher, tweaking every setting on the machine, and then the class will sit back and watch an automated make ready facilitated by JDF from the HIFLEX MIS. The massive time differences between these processes will teach students the obstacles found in a traditional printing facility, as well as the value that a top of the line workflow can provide.

Committed to Education
"We are thrilled to be able to partner with HIFLEX and provide our students the opportunity to use the system. It is key for us to serve our students and, in turn, it is important that the University and our graduates are able to serve the industry" Ian Baitz stated as the award presentation concluded. It is for these exact reasons that HIFLEX has made it their mission to help as many colleges as possible. Educating the future generation of printers will prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead and make them much more efficient in their chosen profession.

Quote from the Dean of Ryerson University
"The contribution of HIFLEX and other companies within the print industry give our students the edge of hands-on learning and actual experience. The result is career-ready graduates that are prepared to become a core part of the printing industry" said Dr. Daniel Doz, Dean of the Faculty of Communication & Design. "We appreciate HIFLEX's dedication to education and the benefits that using their MIS and Web2Print systems will have on the Ryerson University School of Graphic Communications Management."