Düsseldorf, Germany, - Konica Minolta has joined forces with alliance partners Tharstern and Vpress on its booth (Stand A65, Hall 8b) at drupa to demonstrate how it can integrate highly automated workflows and cloud-based technology – including JDF – into the AccurioJet KM-1 Inkjet Manager.

Visitors are invited to watch the workflow in action where a wide range of applications are being shown as part of integrated sales and production workflows. The demonstrations support and educate customers on what they can do with the AccurioJet KM-1, which is being commercially launched at drupa. Demonstrations from alliance partners will include Vpress web2print, Tharstern MIS and a press showing hybrid work and imposition. The integrated workflow from front end to output will show how print jobs can be easily tracked and managed.

Lee Ward, Global Sales Director at Tharstern, said: "We wanted to show people what you can achieve when you take best of breed software and hardware and integrate them all together. The results are really very impressive and we're excited to be showing this at drupa."

Vpress provides cloud-based web2print technology involving SaaS (Software as a Service) and interactive CXML files. The Tharstern system manages all other Management Information data. This includes material stock control and sales invoicing and analyses JMF fed back from the press to provide production costs for each job. Users can also select additional workflow options such as Production Scheduling and traditional Shop Floor Data Capture for other production devices.

The Tharstern MIS consumes the web2print orders and creates the production workflow defining the best method of manufacture including the imposition for the web2print order and submitting the imposed job to the AccurioJet KM-1 press.  Orders placed outside of web-to-print are also dealt with through the MIS, which uses a powerful estimating brain to manage more traditional workflow orders.

Mark Hinder, Head of Market Development, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, said: "We are showcasing how we can adapt and integrate into our alliance partner solutions, showcasing how AccurioJet KM-1 easily fits into the real world of commercial print and packaging. It's part of our commitment to work with industry-leading solutions providers."

Tim Cox, Managing Director of Vpress, said: "We're extremely pleased to be chosen by Konica Minolta for this project because our systems are versatile and open. We have created cohesive, deep-level integration that enables full production from input to output on the AccurioJet KM-1 at full-rated speed."