Workflow

New Océ PRISMA Software Capabilities Drive Greater Productivity Across Graphic Arts Workflow

Monday 27. October 2008 - Latest enhancements span document design and proofing to processing and production

Océ today announced new versions of Océ PRISMA adaptive workflow software designed to drive greater productivity across document workflow in graphic arts and other production environments. The newest versions add value and functionality from design and proofing to production and online workflow.

“With more than ten years of industry leadership and thousands of installations, Océ PRISMA workflow software is well accepted by the market. Customers with multiple types of applications, working in multiple types of environments, benefit from fully automated processes and unified workflows that result in greater productivity and reduced costs. To ensure our customers can stay on top of the latest business opportunities and competitive pressures, we continually improve the Océ PRISMA software suite of products, as demonstrated by this broad line up of new enhancements,” said Eric De Goeijen, Vice President of Marketing, Océ North America.

New Capabilities Drive Greater Production Efficiency
The latest version of Océ PRISMAproduction workflow software offers full process color support for advanced production systems including the Océ VarioStream 9240 and Océ ColorStream 10000 digital printers. production systems including the Océ VarioStream 9240, Océ ColorStream 10000 and JetStream systems. It brings high performance processing to monochrome, full color and Océ CustomTone printing in graphic arts, transaction and transpromo applications. Océ PRISMAproduction Version 4 software supports legacy applications and integrates with existing environments including those using non-Océ printers. A VIPP converter helps users avoid costly application redesigns, while a PPML converter lets customers use high-speed IPDS devices. Additional back-end options drive non-IPDS devices in specific environments for further unfettered versatility. A PCL module increases flexibility in mixed environments requiring support of this standard format.

All jobs are controlled through a centralized Linux-based server through job tickets and managed through a spool for full flexibility. The accounting database within Océ PRISMAproduction Server lets customers manage and report on overall performance of print engines as well as overall utilization from operator to consumables to total production.

New Océ Device Manager software helps customers analyze and optimize current and future print production. This business tool provides real-time machine data on how devices are actually performing, so users can more accurately control and maximize equipment investments. Through better machine utilization, customers can apply preventive maintenance and simplified troubleshooting to maximize productive uptime. The modular, scalable system is based on a shared Microsoft SQL database offering centralized data repository facilities, evaluations and search functions. It is a central acquisition point for data received from all machines on the production lines in a printing and mailing center. It also provides centralized presentation of current device status, making it easier for operators and others to monitor and control production workflow from one place.

Increased operator productivity results in faster error response and less downtime. Océ Device Manager helps customers increase on-time delivery rates through greater productivity and operational ease of use. As a reporting tool, Océ Device Manager lets customers locate and leverage untapped capacity. Analysis and trends reports make Océ Device Manager an excellent business planning tool. Users gain important, actionable data from standard reports such as utilization, error and performance statistics of all tracked devices. All data and evaluations can be exported to external systems for further analysis and sharing with others in the organization.

Latest Capabilities for Variable Document Development
Océ Document Designer Advanced (ODDA) software Version 5.2 handles the full range of variable, personalized communications, including marketing, transactional, trans-promotional and on-demand applications. It offers a single environment for comprehensive data input, data handling, design, composition and output. The new release integrates with third party applications for multi-channel marketing campaigns and delivers new features to improve ease of use and boost productivity.

Rich Text Format (RTF) is a universal data format widely used to manage text files in personalized communications. In Version 5.2, RTF import handling has been rewritten for improved support of tables, embedded images and embedded variables. Automatic input mapping to RTF fields reduces programming steps, making it easier for developers. Customer satisfaction is enhanced by reducing application development time and costs. In Version 5.2, redesigned icons improve usability, and workflow components can be sorted alphabetically on screen for easier job construction. Templates can be saved in a common directory for other jobs, extending the concept of “design once, use many.” Migration from legacy applications such as Microsoft Word MailMerge has been streamlined. Document conversion is eliminated, while collaboration is enhanced by enabling porting of entire documents directly from Microsoft Word into ODDA, retaining original variables and formatting. Trans-promotional messages can be created in non-ODDA applications and automatically used within the production application without any programmer interaction, saving additional time and money. MindFireInc is a leader in the Personalized URLs (PURLs) market, and in ODDA 5.2, MindFireInc PURLs can be automatically added to jobs during proofing and production. Users can enhance direct mail and multi-channel campaigns through multiple contacts and immediate response metrics.

New Océ TrueProof software Version 2.20 brings more efficiency to graphic design, transaction, transpromo and other variable data applications for digital printers. The new version eliminates costs of down time, consumables, personnel and setup needed to run a high volume production printer solely for proof prints. Users benefit by testing print data from external sources before production, and savings accrue during the entire development process. The new release of Océ TrueProof software enables 100 percent pixel-precise soft proofing for full color applications and provides complete functionality support for both the Océ VarioStream 9240 system and the Océ VarioStream 8000 family. Additional enhancements introduced with this release include:
Emulation of Océ production printers
Support of full color applications
Full Océ CustomTone support for up to 3/3 color output
Data stream integrity checking
Demonstration of the exact positioning of fonts and other elements
Viewing of recto/verso pages
Easy alignment check of front and reverse pages
Enhanced Web-based Workflow for More Business Opportunities
By integrating ordering, file creation, customization, approval, printing and delivery into one cost-effective operation, Océ PRISMAweb software enables more efficient web-based services and opens up new business opportunities for print providers. New Océ PRISMAweb software Version 5 sports a revamped user-friendly interface, variable forms creation, customized spec catalogs, pricing calculations and other features that encourage rapid job definition and development. New production queuing and simpler integration of third party products and plug-ins further optimize workflow. These enhancements result in greater efficiency within on-demand production workflow by simplifying the online experience for print buyers. Print service providers gain flexibility for menu structure, data organization, application setup, and new accounts creation. A new Océ PRISMAweb e-Manager module extends the Océ PRISMAweb platform to small to medium-sized commercial printers. Customer service staff can control phone, fax, email, and web orders from one place, and accelerate customer management, fulfillment and billing cycles.

As web-based services become more prevalent, in-house and commercial printshops need expanded capabilities to optimize their online workflow and better serve customers. New Océ PRISMAaccess print management software enables print operations to fully leverage online print workflow for greater order capture and job efficiency and accuracy. In-house and commercial print shops and their clients benefit from easier, convenient access to online printing services, true Adobe PDF-preview, “point and print” drivers, and LDAP connectivity. Featuring easy job submission, single acceptance view, print job status overview, and PDF production for both Océ and competitive devices, Océ PRISMAaccess software simplifies the printing process, while making it highly reliable and consistent. In-house and commercial printshops and their clients benefit from easier job submission and acceptance, accelerated workflows, and fast notification of job status and completion. Océ PRISMAaccess software also creates an extensive accounting report for billing and cost justification. Job tickets are customizable to printshops’ capabilities and offer a simple method for advertising services to their clients.

Océ PRISMAaccess print management software can be complemented by Océ PRISMAprepare and Océ PRISMAarchive software for a comprehensive end-to-end job management process. Océ PRISMAprepare software offers full make-ready tools with robust clean-up, extensive automated layout options, soft proofing and basic pre-flighting for both analog and digital documents and significantly reduces pre-production make-ready time. Océ PRISMAarchive software, an EMC Centera Certified system, enables web-based reprint and internal make ready archive capabilities plus an option for CD/DVD publishing as an additional printroom service opportunity. The combination of this powerful Océ PRISMA solution enables operations to take on more short-run jobs, while controlling margins through online automation and streamlined workflow. By minimizing time-consuming steps, operations can confidently commit to rapid order turnarounds and just-in-time printing, giving them an advantage over less agile competitors.

All Océ PRISMA software versions are available now.