Agfa delivers on-line demo for ApogeeX demand after Pacprint
JDF & MIS Integration the next step, says Agfa
"The investment into workflow demonstration and presentation at the recent PacPrint has paid off," said Garry Muratore, Agfa's Regional Marketing Manager (pictured). "Whilst most of our competitors took the approach that CTP is simply a box that makes plates, we took a holistic approach knowing that the CTP engine is just one part of the process in a chain designed to provide customers with fully automated plate production.
“It's pointless to have a 25+ an hour CTP engine being driven by poor workflow capable of maybe half the engine's rated speed. Some vendors reduce costs by reducing efficiency, Agfa takes the approach of analysing all facets of production particularly workflow in providing a tailored and workable solution to customers" said Muratore.
To stay ahead its competition and keep up with customer demands, Agfa realised customers need seamless automation and advanced production control. :ApogeeX an advanced JDF-powered workflow solution gives customers preflight tools, job naming and tracking, load balancing, and
real-time proofing, for a productive and profitable operation.
"At Pacprint we had four and sometimes five workflow demonstration pods operational for the duration of the show to keep pace with demand. I counted at best one or maybe two similar set-ups at competition stands, and certainly not as busy as we were. This to us is testament that we have a
product the industry is seriously interested in," said Muratore.
Agfa's efforts most certainly paid off with Print21 awarding :ApogeeX a technology hot pick award, and several new workflow installations across Australia and New Zealand immediately after the show. "With a lot of commercial printers now understanding the ramifications of JDF and MIS integration, :ApogeeX is a perfect solution for total automation.
“We are flat out with demonstrations in our Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane & Auckland technical centres, it's obvious from the interest we are receiving that JDF & MIS integration is the next step in workflow automation" said Muratore.
Taking it online
To cope with all of :ApogeeX's new interest Agfa has updated its website to allow customers to sit through on-line demonstrations of key components of their workflow strategy. Check it out here
The virtual demonstrations cover topics such as:
"The investment into workflow demonstration and presentation at the recent PacPrint has paid off," said Garry Muratore, Agfa's Regional Marketing Manager (pictured). "Whilst most of our competitors took the approach that CTP is simply a box that makes plates, we took a holistic approach knowing that the CTP engine is just one part of the process in a chain designed to provide customers with fully automated plate production. Learn more on how to set-up and process jobs in :ApogeeX. Agfa has created two on-line operators Jim and Linda, who are more than happy to show you how easy this can be done.
Learn more on the basic automation features of :ApogeeX. Further automation is possible by integrating :ApogeeX with :Delano or other JDF-compatible systems.
Learn more on how to set-up a job in :ApogeeX.
Learn more on how to manage 'live' jobs within the :ApogeeX system.
Learn more on system management in :ApogeeX: how to check the status of each individual task processor, how to manage fonts and other resources.
Learn more on how easy it is to find information and get feedback from :ApogeeX.
Learn more on how you manage :ApogeeX and how it keeps you informed.
Learn more on how to control your workflow in :ApogeeX through the use of actions. Define important milestones, what results should be archived and where to wait for customer approval.
Learn more on how to integrate proofing in to an :ApogeeX workflow, ensuring integrity of content and color.
Learn more on how to build the unique :ApogeeX solution that fits your specific needs and requirements.
JDF Integration with MIS Moves even Further Ahead
In related news Agfa and European MIS vendor Hiflex has demonstrated the first JDF-connectivity between Agfa’s Prepress-Workflow System :ApogeeX (v2.5) and a Management Information System (Hiflex MIS) which was realised at Tanghe Printing N.V. (Komen, Belgium) in May of this year. Tanghe Printing had already hit the headlines as the first ever printer in the Netherlands using JDF-connectivity in live production, when a JDF-interface between Hiflex MIS and the Komori presses was installed in March 2004.
According to Tanghe, the JDF-implementation vastly enhanced transparency and flexibility in the production process. Tremendous cost-savings were achieved and the investment paid for itself within the first year.
“We are always looking to increase the level of automation and further increase our productivity, reduce our costs and improve our customer service. The JDF link between Hiflex MIS and :ApogeeX totally streamlines our prepress workflow, just as JDF did in the press room,” said Tanghe.
About HiFlex
Hiflex has been a full member of the CIP4 organisation. The company, based in Aachen, Germany, developers the Hiflex MIS software that models and supports all business processes in printing companies. The Hiflex MIS manages all aspect of the printing operation, including preliminary cost estimates, quotes and tenders, order confirmation, job ticketing, delivery notes, invoicing, job costing, statistical evaluation, inventory management, production planning
and control, cost booking, direct machine interfaces, shipping management and order tracking.
It also provides an e-business module and a document
management system. Hiflex reinvests around 30 per cent of its annual sales in research and development. Hiflex is represented and sold worldwide and is available in 15 languages. www.hiflex.com