Workflow
EFI MIS Systems Achieve Industry First “Lights Out” Prepress Integration with KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System
Friday 01. August 2008 - Seamless JDF Integration Between EFI Prograph and KODAK PRINERGY System Streamlines Print Production and Enables True "Just In Time" Plating
EFI (Nasdaq: EFII), the world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced that EFI Prepress Integration will soon be commercially available, commencing with integration between EFI Prograph and the KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System. This integration is on display at Connect 2008, one of the printing industry’s largest user conferences, taking place through August 1st at the Wynn in Las Vegas.
“EFI continues to strengthen its portfolio of workflow products both organically and through alliances with important industry leaders such as KODAK,” said Jeff Palser, EFI Prograph product manager. “In the highly competitive and fast-paced world of commercial and high-volume printing, the more automated and streamlined the workflow and the faster the time to market, the more profit a printer sees in the bottom line. Integration between EFI Prograph and KODAK PRINERGY System represents an industry first and is only the first iteration of the JDF-compliant EFI Prepress Integration Suite. We will continue to add components over time to extend compatibility with a wide range of products and solutions.”
One of the most powerful results of this innovative offering is the ability to support true “just in time” plating. Prograph begins the process by receiving content links and images from KODAK PRINERGY System and KODAK INSITE Unified Workflow System. The content is automatically linked to pages in the Prograph Planner, where the user can view spreads and imposed layouts on-screen. The Planner provides a workflow system with a detailed layout showing content page positions and all process marks – including folding, color bars, punch, and side guides – necessary for automated plate creation. This automated process creates a comprehensive set of manufacturing instructions for all steps of the production process, including reconciled distribution planning and detailed instructions for page-level version assignments. Additionally, when the client makes changes requiring a new page count, a different press, new paper sizes or new positions, the Planner will automatically rebuild the plate file(s) without user intervention.
One of the most revolutionary elements of this solution is the elimination of the requirement to build fixed imposition templates based on the press and dimensions of the imposition. In Prograph, impositions dynamically scale to the size of the product being produced and the press being used. Changes are implemented instantly and the time required for imposition maintenance is dramatically reduced.
“Prograph connectivity is a new complement to our PRINERGY Workflow System that delivers increased automation,” said Jon Bracken, vice president of marketing, Enterprise Solutions, for Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “We are pleased to collaborate with EFI in adding this extra element of workflow efficiency for our customers.”
EFI Prograph is a comprehensive planning solution for high-volume and large commercial operations. This globally optimized Print MIS solution compares the necessary manufacturing processes with companies’ internal equipment and resources to determine discrepancies. Prograph enables more informed decision making and facilitates contingency planning. Starting in Q3, Prograph will integrate seamlessly with the KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System, making it an ideal planning solution for the large installed base of KODAK PRINERGY customers.