The drupa innovation park 2016 (dip) the leading international trade show for print and cross-media solutions will again be the center for the industry’s latest inspiring and creative developments. In six themed areas, about 130 exhibitors will showcase their innovations in workflow processes, automation and the latest print technologies in Hall 7.0 For the first time there will be an area devoted to successful business and marketing concepts. dip offers visitors the opportunity to discover innovations and market-ready applications for creative print products and technologies in a convenient compact form. The solutions on show will be complemented by presentations, panel discussions and interviews on the dip stage. drupa will take place from May 31 - June 10, 2016 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The key theme in the print industry is still process optimization and automation – a theme that is the focus for CIP 4, which is once again a cooperation partner for dip. “Automation and optimization are topics that are not only current, but they are also essential objectives to accomplish in order for print service providers to strive in today’s print marketplace,” stated Julie Watson, spokesperson for CIP 4. “JDF is the industry’s Job Definition Format standard capable of automating a multi-vendor environment composed of software and hardware vendors. Visit the drupa innovation park to see how JDF can help save time, consumables, and ultimately maximize the bottom line.”

In view of the growing relevance of cloud integration, the print industry is increasingly interested in security aspects. This calls for smart solutions – like those offered by  i1BOX and other exhibitors in the Process Optimization & Automation area. The maintenance-free miniserver stays within the customer's premises, offers a sophisticated system concept and serves as the platform for many applications (such as data and job management, CRM, e-mail, groupware, file sharing and asset management), which can be configured ready for use. “It was important to us to develop a professional server concept that allows the end user to apply all the features and programs they need from day one without committing their own resources,” explained Roland Orlik, Managing Director of i1BOX.

The USP of Obility GmbH is the simplification of procurement processes. The online-based systems allow both print service providers and their customers to simplify their in-house business processes by sharing print, web and IT technologies.  "We're delighted that Obility will be contributing to the heartbeat of innovation at dip again in 2016,” said Obility's Managing Director Frank Siegel. This is just one aspect covered in the Web-to-Media & E-Commerce area. This area also focuses on solutions for web-to-publish or web-to-print, E-commerce & shop platforms, cloud publishing and web editors for design/print and HTML 5.

In the Innovations in Printing Technologies area, exhibitors will present key technologies in modern printing and finishing, applications for functional printing, printed electronics and 3D printing and solutions for prototyping, visualization and workflow. One of the exhibitors in this area is modico GmbH, who specializes in laser paper finishing, UV direct printing on objects up to 150 mm thick and 3D printing. When it comes to innovative print products, lenticular printing is key - the only finishing technique which allows images to be printed with the illusion of movement. One of the pioneers and leading names in the industry, DPLenticular (www.dplenticular.com), will again be exhibiting at dip. “The drupa innovation park is an excellent opportunity for us to present what is still an innovative printing technology and reach new target audiences,” remarked Daniel Pierret, Founder and Managing Director of the Irish company. The Lenticular Award will be presented at drupa 2016:on June 2 at 5pm.

The other themed areas at dip are:

• Multichannel Publishing & Marketing Solutions: This area covers topics such as the management of cross-media contents/assets, web and app publishing, database publishing, and marketing and brand management solutions.
• Added Value in Print: The focus is on finishing, further development and the advanced added-value of print products, including innovative substrates, new finishing methods, packaging, label printing and displays, green printing and secure printing.
• Business Models: New business concepts and models, strategic cooperation and marketing platforms as well as finance concepts and franchising and license models are the theme of this innovation park.

Messe Düsseldorf has again assigned the marketing, communications & events agency Winter Consulting with the organization and design of the drupa innovation park. For more than 14 years, Winter Consulting has been designing and implementing exhibition concepts for innovative trade fairs and conferences. Owner Sandra Winter has been actively involved in marketing, communication and sales in the IT, print and media industry since 1992 and oversaw the drupa innovation parks in 2004, 2008 and 2012. Registration details and more information about the concept are available at www.drupa.com