London – Ricoh today announced the launch of a portfolio of software products, including Ricoh TotalFlow® Prep 4.0, TotalFlow® Print Manager 4.0, TotalFlow® Production Manager 4.0 and TotalFlow® Path 4.0, to deliver enhanced productivity for production printing operations.  Part of the TotalFlow software suite, these solutions have been designed to streamline job workflow, minimise errors and maximise productivity. This enhanced range of solutions is available from November 2015 in EMEA.

TotalFlow Prep 4.0, with a redesigned user interface, offers fast, efficient document preparation with intuitive access to capabilities such as imposition, tabs and finishing.
Ideal for small to mid-sized print service providers, it enables operators to create documents, edit and impose via a simplified, easy-to-use graphical interface. TotalFlow Prep can operate independently or integrate seamlessly with other TotalFlow production management solutions such as Print Manager and Production Manager. 

TotalFlow Print Manager 4.0 and TotalFlow Production Manager 4.0 provide powerful, centralised management for digital production print operations. They can automatically schedule and route jobs based on printer capabilities, media type and current workload. Using dynamic media catalogue discovery and device synchronisation, media changes are minimised to help drive productivity and cut overall costs and errors, as well as reducing downtime since jobs get to print faster and spend less time in the job queue.  

Production Manager 4.0 adds advanced capabilities such as transforms from Postscript or PCL to PDF, printer pooling and an embedded pre-flight function provided by Enfocus Pitstop®.

TotalFlow Path 4.0, built on an open workflow platform, is an easy-to-use, affordable workflow automation software that streamlines the cut sheet production print workflow. It intelligently connects software programmes and business applications like web to print and Management Information Systems (MIS), enabling them to communicate with each other during the production process. Using rules-based automation, and a drag and drop interface, clients create and customise linear workflows to meet specific job requirements. TotalFlow Path reduces common errors and speeds up turnaround times by minimising human touch points. 

Version 4.0 brings new extensions for EFI Digital Storefront, Ultimate Impostrip, for advanced imposition, and support for the latest continuous feed and cut sheet devices.

“These software solutions will help operations work better, faster and smarter,” states Graham Moore, Business Development Director, Ricoh Europe. “With print operations required to produce increasing numbers of fast turnaround jobs, in a range of run lengths and using varying print technologies, ensuring that the workflow remains uninterrupted and error-free is essential to profitability. These solutions seamlessly manage day-to-day issues automatically, efficiently and with as few human touch points as possible.”

With Ricoh TotalFlow Prep, TotalFlow Print Manager, TotalFlow Production Manager and TotalFlow Path, service providers can:

• Accurately take files from multiple sources, or in multiple formats, and create a print-ready PDF files.
• Preview files for accuracy as adjustments are made. 
• Choose media, finishing options, printers and more. 
• Use a preset for frequently used tasks so they’re performed automatically, and consistently, every time.
• Perform simple PDF edits, including logo replacement, text insertion, sizing and rotation at any time while the preview function ensures changes look exactly how they should, before printing.
• Manage print jobs such as scheduling, error recovery, printer status check
• Build of an automated workflow through a highly intuitive drag and drop user interface 
• Enable file format conversion from PCL/PostScript to PDF, printer pooling and optional colour management and preflight integration
• Integrate disparate applications into an end-to-end workflow to address workflow automation.

A client collaboration programme was crucial in developing this robust array of benefits.

Moore explains, “Extensive customer input was instrumental in the creation of these solutions, which is why we are so confident that they will address many of today’s production challenges. We built what our customers told us they needed. Through effective collaboration, we have been able to design an outstanding product suite. Among the customer-requested developments were an improved user interface, more intuitive operations and ease of use – all of which we have delivered in these solutions.”