More than 1000 of the printing industry’s brightest and brainiest IT and print production managers finish four days of intensive interfacing with EFI’s software systems in the Wynn Hotel Las Vegas. Patrick Howard reviews the industry’s premiere ‘think fest.’
There was a time, not so many years ago when printing software was relegated to a scrappy MIS in the office corner, production control relied on job bags, and CRM was something the sales people took care of. It’s not like that anymore and if further proof was required of the now central role of software in the print production process, the intensity of this week’s Connect 2015 conference in Las Vegas puts the argument beyond dispute.
In the past decade, EFI has acquired, developed and is now promoting the widest range of software programs in the industry, from Pace and PrintSmith to PrintStream and the enterprise level sophistication of Technique, Radius and Monarch. Announcing its intention to rationalize the delivery of the many levels and add-ons into Suites – Enterprise; Midmarket; Stand Alone etc.– EFI used this Connect to highlight the vital importance of software in the printing industry.
In recent years, the company has acquired a remarkable number of software companies, notably Prism and Techniques, insofar as the local market is concerned. Prism especially was the closest Australia and New Zealand came to having a default workflow. It is now in ‘maintenance only’ mode, which means it will be supported but no longer developed.
This presents customers with challenges as well as opportunities to move to a more future-oriented software. The decision to only maintain the software is indicative of EFI’s pragmatic market-power strategy. It buys software and then encourages the users to migrate to one of the mainstream platforms it is developing for the future.
If its sometimes aggressive drive for growth has ruffled some customers, the end result can be gauged by the impressive array of educational and training sessions at Connect. EFI now has software suitable for every part of the industry. I counted more than 200 different educational breakout sessions and user group forums, apart from the general sessions.
This is a highly technical eco-system with all software now integrated into end-to-end workflows that will further drive industry automation. As I wandered in and out of the different rooms, it became apparent the participants were operating at a high level of technical detail that left amateurs, such as me, for dead. This was a highly particular, almost geekish, conference with that peculiar intensity that IT and production managers generate when they focus on workflow. Just because it was held in Las Vegas doesn’t mean it was all for fun and games.
I spoke with a number of attendees from Australia, such as Chris Sledge and Darren Hardman from IPMG, who have just completed a two–year, enterprise-wide installation of Techniques. They were in Las Vegas having been the primary instigators of the Techniques User Group. According to Sledge they want to be sure that EFI recognizes there is plenty of support for the software to encourage it’s continuing development.
As for me, the presentation of 3D Systems guru Avi Reichental, proved a highlight. It took the form of a ‘fireside chat’ with Guy Gecht, CEO – the second in two days – but it presented the audience with the technical and business reality of ‘accretive manufacturing’ and the opportunity it presents the printing industry.
As he said, there is no road map, there is only discovering opportunity and taking it, but in a fascinating exposition he did illustrate how 3D printing is going to be perhaps the most disruptive of all new technologies in the 21st century.
And speaking of ‘disruptive technologies’ Benny Landa, father of digital printing and inventor extraordinaire, had his sleep disrupted by Guy Gecht via a video Skype call to Israel in the middle of the night. Good old Benny played the shtick to the hilt, waking in faux surprise to confront a video audience of over a thousand printers in the US.
There is the ongoing gag between the two dating from last year’s Ipex, when Landa maintained he was waiting for the EFI super RIP required to drive his Nanoprint engines, while Gecht insisted it was the engine development that was holding it up. Either way, Benny from his midnight bed, claimed that he’ll be ready to take the technology to market by next Drupa in May 2016.
Talking to some of the EFI guys later, they’re pretty confident they’ll have a powerful enough RIP to drive the B1 digital packaging press. It will likely be the fastest Fiery RIP developed so far and will facilitate the further expansion of digital printing up the food chain.
Computerized workflow has moved from the margins to the centre of the printing industry. The former ‘geeks’ are now the master of the process. EFI has become the 800 lb. gorilla in the sector and few printing companies in the future will function without using some of its software products.
In Australia it has acquired some of the leading talent in the sector, such as former Prism honcho, Kathy Mitchell. Many local printing companies this year will be faced with the decision of what to do… hang tough with Prism and fall behind or decide to move to Pace, Monarch or Technique.
With well-known Australian expatriate Nick Benkovich is driving the development of the EFI Production Suites in San Diego, while another, Rohan Holt, creator of Metrix, latterly of Wollongong, now in Seattle, is leading the integration of his layout and imposition software into the wider offering, Australia enjoys an influential role in the development of EFI’s software.
Next year, I expect to see many more Australian and New Zealand printers making the trip and taking the opportunity to shift their production up a gear … taking advantage of the software development investment from the industry leader.