• Prinect Web-to-Print Manager extends Prinect print shop workflow
• Focus on online shop applications in B2B sector
• Solution developed in cooperation with Pageflex
• Customers benefit from versatile application options, full workflow integration, end-to-end automation, and simple operation

At GraphExpo from September 11 to 14, 2011 in Chicago, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) will be unveiling its first own web-to-print (W2P) solution in the form of the Prinect Web-to-Print Manager. This solution is particularly suited for B2B (business-to-business) applications which help medium-sized and industrial print shops to interface with their customers in a more efficient and convenient way. Of course, open shops for B2C (Business to Consumer) can also be set up.

The Prinect Web-to-Print Manager from Heidelberg has been developed in cooperation with the US-based W2P software specialist Pageflex, a division of Bitstream Inc. Pageflex has been a member of the Heidelberg W2P Partner Program since IPEX 2010.

"The Prinect Web-to-Print Manager expands our Prinect print shop workflow in what is one of the most important growth segments for the print media industry and it caters to the growing demands from our customers to use the internet for

improved customer interaction and retention," said Marcel Kiessling, member of the Heidelberg Management Board, responsible for Heidelberg Services. "In Pageflex we have found a partner that already has a high-quality portfolio of web-to-print solutions with a proven track record worldwide. By integrating this portfolio into the Prinect system, our customers will benefit two-fold - from the W2P expertise of our partner Pageflex on one hand and the comprehensive automation and process transparency of the Prinect production workflow on the other."

"We are honored that Heidelberg selected Pageflex to partner with for Prinect Web-to-Print Manager," comments Pinhas Romik, Pageflex General Manager. "Pageflex has been providing web-to-print technologies to digital print shops for more than ten years. While Heidelberg is the premier provider of solutions and services for the entire print media industry worldwide, and well situated to help offset and hybrid print shops evolve into offering Internet-based ordering. We are excited by this opportunity to extend our market reach into offset print shops and new global markets."

The Prinect Web-to-Print Manager offers many functions for different requirements
Depending on the customer business model, the Prinect Web-to-Print Manager gives users the opportunity to operate one or more online shops - also in a mixture of open and closed shops - with typical functions such as order processing with approval process, shopping cart, user administration, dispatch, and payment. The customer portal (frontend) enables data processing and online document editing. Adobe InDesign or PDF files can also be used as templates. The solution also offers interfaces to systems of third-party providers like payment systems, shipment systems or data list acquisition.

The Prinect Web-to-Print Manager is based on a standard software program with intuitive operation that requires no programming know-how. The frontend can be tailored to customer requirements.

The Prinect Web-to-Print Manager is the perfect solution for print shops that are interested in using a W2P solution primarily for their B2B activities. It also supports business models for B2C (business-to-consumer) applications and franchise networks.

"In launching the Prinect Web-to-Print Manager, Heidelberg is integrating the entire process - from job acceptance via the online shop and template generation via web-to-print all the way through to integrated, highly automated print production," said Christopher Berti, head of Business Area Prinect and CtP at Heidelberg.

Global market launch to be concluded by drupa 2012
GraphExpo represents the first milestone in the market launch of the Prinect Web-to-Print Manager in the United States and Europe. The product will be available worldwide by drupa 2012. One focal point of the cooperation between Heidelberg and Pageflex is the integration of the Internet workflow with the Prinect production workflow. Particular importance is given to enabling automated production involving management information systems and the support of mixed forms and digital printing.

The Heidelberg W2P Partner Program launched at IPEX 2010 with links to the W2P systems of MS-Visucom, Neo7Even, RedTie, BrandMaker, and EFI will be continued.