DRUPA 2004 - Düsseldorf (Germany) - Esko-Graphics, the world leader in pre-production tools for the packaging industry and a major supplier of CtP and workflow solutions for commercial printing, and Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) today announce that Esko-Graphics' BackStage workflow server will now integrate with RealTimeProof online remote proofing solutions. BackStage forms the heart of its Scope pre-production workflow for packaging and complex commercial printing environments. The integration of the two solutions is entirely based on the use of JDF. According to KPG, this partnership is the first deployment of the new RealTimeProof JDF Application Server. Esko-Graphics and KPG together will be showcasing the integrated prepress workflow solution at DRUPA 2004 on the Esko-Graphics stand in hall 04 stand C40. "Esko-Graphics' Scope customers are once again ahead of the pack", states René Delbar, Senior Vice-President Marketing of Esko Graphics. "First they got access to JDF, and now also to the world's leading online proofing solution which is, as a bonus, JDF compatible. It's one more step towards the ultimate workflow" "RealTimeProof meets the high standards required for Esko-Graphics' state-of-the-art JDF workflow. Integrating RealTimeProof technology into the Backstage workflow server means Esko-Graphics' customers will enjoy the benefits of improved efficiency, faster turnaround times and great collaboration", says Yehuda Messinger, General Manager, RealTimeProof Products, KPG. "KPG is proud to partner with Esko-Graphics in making another solution available to help customers optimize their digital workflows." How RealTimeProof Integrates with Scope Within the combined environment, the RealTimeProof interface becomes effectively a new "face" of BackStage, Scope's workflow server, to other workflow stakeholders including customers, designers, account managers, etc. By using the JDF connection between RealTimeProof and Backstage, the RealTimeProof product essentially becomes the "online approval" module for Scope, thereby: increasing productivity, improving communication, speeding turnarounds, eliminating the need for intermediate hard copy proofs and associated costs, and reinforcing collaboration and client relationships.