Software - Workflow

Italy-based print house Poligrafica is a pioneer in integrating new technologies with traditional offset and digital printing technologies. The company has created Quippe.it to offer a 100% web-to-print service offering low-cost, traditional-quality prints via the internet, from product selection to payment and direct communication with the end user. Quippe.it implemented Enfocus PitStop Connect to streamline operations between designers, prepress and production, and ensure top-quality output.

"Enfocus PitStop Connect proved to be the right product at the right time," says Marcello Pasinetti, owner of Poligrafica and Quippe.it. “When you print any document, the stage between the creative element and file control takes longer than the printing, bookbinding and shipping. With Enfocus PitStop Connect we were able to significantly shorten the production process, and offer our customers an innovative service - unique in Europe. It makes interacting with creative professionals very easy and removes any communication problems.”

Continuous development

Pasinetti began developing the web aspect of the business in 2009, so that the company could extend its reach across Italy.  "We realised that we had to specialise in a service that others didn’t provide. And since Poligrafica operates 70x100 offset machines, we knew we could offer higher-value products like commercial flyers, catalogues and magazines.” Quippe.it also introduced a new logistics service, offering a complete print-to-delivery cycle. This includes the production of personalised labels as well as the mail handling through an agreement with the Italian Post Office and distribution contractors.

Quippe.it’s mission is to offer cost-effective, high-quality printed materials to small and medium-sized companies and communication professionals, in a way that’s collaborative, economical, environmentally sound and offers 'certainty' – the meaning of ‘quippe’ in Latin. "Our aim is always to provide a better quality service by anticipating problems,” continues Pasinetti. “Our lead times are extremely short because we’ve been able to dramatically shorten our production times, from document generation to printing. Having such short lead times means we can take on more last-minute work and turn around jobs faster.”

Greater customer satisfaction

When Quippe.it began working on the web, the company quickly solved the problem of verifying and correcting PDF files by using Enfocus PitStop Pro plug-in for Adobe® Acrobat quickly. PitStop Pro allows users to edit text, change colors and move, rotate or adjust any object.

Meanwhile Enfocus PitStop Connect is allowing customers to provide Quippe.it with PDF files quickly and easily, even if they have no technical knowledge. The tool allows printers and publishers to create Connectors that contain specifications for PDF preflighting and correction. The company opted for PitStop Connect from Enfocus because it considered it the only solution capable of handling its volume of orders while ensuring the whole process runs smoothly without mistakes.

Customers can download the QuippeApplet from the Quippe.it website, which is based on Enfocus PitStop Connect. Immediately after creating the PDF, users can check if it meets the requirements for creating prints of an acceptable quality. This automation ensures a fast, efficient process, and gives the user reassurance regarding the final print result. "For example, before uploading to our servers, QuippeApplet corrects the lines that are too thin (less than 0.0850 points), and increases the thickness up to 0.0850 points, which are the minimum visible and printable size in offset,” explains Pasinetti. “This option is very handy when you enter drawings created using technical drawing software in large format, which then have to be reduced so they can fit into technical manuals or catalogues.” To date, more than 500 customers regularly use the QuippeApplet. The high number of satisfied customers confirmed Quippe.it's confidence in both Enfocus and Technosolutions, Enfocus' reseller in Italy.

Innovation the key to growth

Quippe.it’s 20-strong workforce help generate a turnover of 3 million euros, which accounts for 30% of Poligrafica’s total turnover. Key to the success of the web business is the attention it pays to continually strengthening customer relationships. For example, on the website users can turn to chat assistance for help with any problems, ensuring they get the product they expect. Quippe.it is also committed to sustainability, and uses FSC-certified papers and vegetable-based inks.

"Our philosophy is to explore ways to become more innovative with our processes, products and services,” concludes Pasinetti. “In the near future, we plan to offer top-quality products to the B2C market, and continue developing our web-to-print operation. Key to this development will be Enfocus PitStop Connect. It’s ideal for when a large number of relatively inexperienced users need to send PDF files."

EFI has announced that commercial and packaging printer COT Holdings Limited of Barbados is now running EFI Monarch and EFI PrintFlow to streamline operations and reduce costs. The company is also using EFI PrinterSite Internal and is currently installing EFI Digital StoreFront and EFI Auto-Count to bring greater efficiencies.

In business since 1975, COT Holdings provides full-service design, printing and marketing services to English-speaking customers in the Caribbean. The company has been steadily growing, in particular in package and wide-format printing. COT Holdings was a Prism user and then decided to make the switch to EFI Monarch.

“EFI Monarch is a very powerful, extraordinarily robust system, and we’re seeing huge gains in efficiencies, especially on the scheduling front with the integration to EFI PrintFlow,” says Nigel Worme, CEO and managing director of COT Holdings. “PrintFlow gives us a clear picture of the shop floor workflow, without the need to print and post schedules, which used to take up a lot of production management’s time each day.”

PrinterSite Internal is also providing COT Holdings with more accurate pricing and the ability to more quickly give estimates to customers, in turn increasing their satisfaction. The company is now installing the Digital StoreFront web-to-print platform and Auto-Count direct machine interface as the next steps in their operational improvement plan.

“Digital StoreFront will allow us to maximize our digital equipment investments,” comments Worme. “It will reduce our estimating requirements and ensure consistent pricing for customers, while Auto-Count will further streamline our shop floor workflow. We look forward to getting the systems up and running soon.”

For more information on EFI products, please visit www.efi.com

[photo shows Nigel Worme]

Enfocus has announced update 1 of its Switch 11 solution which will be available by the end of Q2, 2012. This new version of Switch 11 includes full support for the new Smart Preflight functionality introduced in PitStop Server 11.

Smart Preflight offers Switch and PitStop Server users a more dynamic and accurate way of applying preflight and auto-correction settings, driven by the power of Switch variables. Additional new and updated configurators in this release include a direct link to Esko’s Automation Engine and a new Microsoft Word configurator supporting the latest versions of the popular word processing application.

Smart Preflight that takes full advantage of the power of Switch 11

Switch 11 update 1 includes a new version of the PitStop Server configurator, compatible with the newly announced PitStop Server 11. It enables Smart Preflight in PitStop Server 11 using any of the variables available in Switch, including SQL databases, XML and JDF job tickets, embedded XMP values, private data variables created with the scripting API and all of Switch’s built-in variables.

"PitStop 11 has introduced a new era in PDF preflight, and the combination of PitStop Server 11 and Switch 11 update 1 are making the possibilities endless. Each and every job can be checked to specific job requirements that can be sourced from the file itself, metadata values, job tickets or external data sources," says Dieter Wullaert, Switch product manager. "For example, you can check if an incoming file matches the specifications for that job in your order system, or alternatively whether it corresponds to the information entered on your website by the customer when uploading the job. Using the new rule-based variables, it’s possible to translate those values into real preflight checks – this new functionality is huge and unique in workflow automation."

New configurator streamlines communication between Switch 11 and Esko Automation Engine

Switch has been designed as a complementary and vendor-neutral automation solution, allowing users to do more with their existing technology investments and workflow solutions. This new configurator for Esko’s Automation Engine (AE) provides support for AE job names, IDs and references. Based on the functionality in this new configurator, files can be picked up by Switch, processed as required by any of Switch’s many tools and other third-party configurators, and delivered into an Automation Engine Job without operator intervention. The new configurator also supports unattended initiation of Automation Engine workflows upon the delivery of a production file or XML job ticket by Switch.

"Because of Switch’s unique file handling capabilities and thanks to the many other configurators already supported in Switch, it is now possible to complete additional processing before a file is delivered to Automation Engine", states Dries Vandenbussche, Automation Engine Product Manager. "For example: a print buyer places 'chocolate gift box.zip' containing an Illustrator file on an FTP server monitored by Switch and the result in Automation Engine is a preflighted, color corrected and trapped PDF file. We are also very excited about formally joining the Switch community soon as a Crossroads Application Partner."

Enfocus Crossroads is a community related to Enfocus Switch automation. Comprising Crossroads Application Partners, Crossroads Integration Partners and Switch users, the community provides automation best practices to other Switch users and prospects. A dedicated Crossroads web portal (www.crossroads-world.com) provides an extensive source of information about the Crossroads Partners and their integrated solutions.

Updated Microsoft Word configurators

Switch 11 update 1 includes new configurators for the world’s most popular text editor. Users can automate file processing in Microsoft Word 2010 (Windows) or 2011 (Macintosh) and convert all supported Word documents to PDF, rtf, txt, html, doc and docx at blazing speeds.

Switch 11 Web Services Module support

Switch 11 update 1 includes support for the new Web Services Module that allows users of Switch 11 to build secure, Web-based interfaces into a Switch workflow environment for job submission, file upload, review and approval.

Availability

Switch 11 update 1 will be available by the end of Q2, 2012 from Enfocus' network of Switch Authorized resellers and integrators. This update is available for customers with current Switch maintenance agreements. For more information on pricing and modules, please contact your preferred reseller or Enfocus at sales@enfocus.com.

Data Image, a UK-based signage and point-of-sale provider, has opted for Enfocus' Switch and PitStop Connect solutions to automate the delivery of customer-submitted files into the company's workflow.

"The level of automation achieved with Enfocus' solutions at one of the most critical phases of our production workflow, allowed us to increase throughput, reduce errors and improve our customer experience. And all of that with Return On Investment achieved within three to four months," states Rob Farfort, Director Data Image.

It was Data Image’s need to improve production and automate the delivery of files that prompted Rob Farfort to talk to Enfocus at Ipex 2010. He faced several issues regarding the selection and removal of specific spot colour elements in PDF production files. Working with system integrator XChange UK and using Enfocus Action List technology, a solution was quickly established during the exhibition.

“The ability to provide an application to all our customers branded with our own identity really appealed to me,” states Farfort. “Customising the data requested from our customers within Enfocus Switch and ensuring our customers’ preflighted files can only be sent to Data Image - not a competitor - were other compelling reasons I was interested in the PitStop Connect technology.”

Data Image delivers customer satisfaction

Using Enfocus Switch and PitStop Connect, Data Image reduced the time spent on customer and internal communications by 100%. This is mainly a result of customers being responsible for artwork submission and the removed need to search for files on client FTP sites.

“For us, the manual handling of files is automated, our operation runs at a fast speed and the handy email receipt notification saves time checking for delivered artwork,” comments Farfort. “With Enfocus Switch and PitStop Connect we could simplify artwork submission from our customers. Providing them with a desktop drag and drop applet, we have a continuous branded presence on their desktop. This in turn allowed us to offer a far more professional and productive service."

Understanding workflow automation

"Making the workflow improvements was easy," explains Farfort.  “We have been working with Esko's Automation Engine for about six years, so we were quite familiar with the concept of workflow automation. I was interested in standardising the way we receive files from our customers, and how we notify both our internal staff and the necessary contacts at all our customer locations that the files have been successfully received. Smooth integration was very important. Enfocus Switch and PitStop Connect sit alongside our existing Esko workflow with no issues. Switch has the required functionality for the two systems to interact as needed.”

Switching on powerful features

Enfocus Switch offers powerful features that let users work with job tickets and communicate directly with any data source that supports the ODBC standard. "We initially explored the option of using info from the job tickets generated by our order entry system to manage the incoming files," explains Farfort. "However, we found that the ability to generate a dynamic SQL query into our live order entry system allowed us to access more comprehensive information for any job at any time."

The query for the incoming job workflow compares the customer-submitted quote number with the actual quote number in the system. It also validates the email information needed to confirm receipt of the production files to Data Image employees, the actual submitter of the file and any other relevant customer contact. Enfocus Switch then dynamically moves the file to a location specified by the order entry system and provides that path information to the correct staff member at Data Image.

Making the right connection

Data Image worked with XChange UK to create a streamlined Connector - the file delivery droplet created with PitStop Connect. It uses the Connectors to accept a wide variety of file types like Adobe® InDesign and QuarkXPress native file packages, Illustrator and Photoshop files. When a PDF file is submitted the Connector on the customer’s desktop preflights the files according to the required specifications. Virtually all popular file types can be accepted and processed with Enfocus Switch. Data Image currently processes an average of 1000+ files a week.

Automation for continued success

Since the original integration, Data Image also worked with XChange UK to automate another key component of the production and delivery process using Switch. The order entry system generates a delivery note in PDF format that was formerly delivered manually to the customer and took considerable time to research and confirm the correct recipients for the delivery information. Using Switch, the emails are now dynamically built to include relevant job details and the delivery note itself as an attachment.

“Enfocus solutions enabled us to achieve a much higher level of end to end automation, including communication with our customers. With a Return On Investment of only 3 months we are very satisfied with what we have already achieved,” concludes Farfort.

Fujifilm has launched the latest version of its cloud-based web-to-print solution, XMF PrintCentre V3.  XMF PrintCentre is a hosted web-to-print system that allows print companies to create multiple e-commerce web sites for selling print, and manages the whole print buying process from online purchasing through to delivering print-ready PDF files into a print production system such as Fujifilm’s XMF Workflow.

Many new capabilities have been added including a new text editor module for managing variable text within the existing WYSIWYG template editor, enhanced PDF pre-flight control for ad hoc print jobs, and a new, larger preview of jobs being ordered. In addition, the system now includes many features designed for printers specialising in wide format printing. These include new front and back office capabilities that allow wide format printed products to be easily and quickly added to the XMF PrintCentre web store, and additional flexibility in how the products are priced.

“XMF PrintCentre V3 contains enhancements that make the processes of buying print for the web store, and managing the products that are sold on the web store, quicker and easier. We have also introduced different elements to the system to suit the requirements of wide format printers, reflecting the need for the customised sizing of specific printed items and for flexibility in how these types of printed products are priced,” comments John Davies, business strategy manager for FUJFILM Europe. “Ensuring printers can easily add any new printed product to their web store is one of the critical factors of a successful web-to-print system, as printers need to take advantage of sales opportunities as quickly as possible,“ he concludes.

XMF PrintCentre V3 is commercially available in Q2 2012.

For more information, please visit www.fujifilm.com

Clarity Software, the sign, print and graphic industry’s leading CRM and MIS provider, launched its new ‘wow factor’ Deliveries Module to stunned visitors at this year’s Sign & Digital UK exhibition.

Working in tandem with the Clarity Proof of Delivery iPhone App, the game-changing Clarity Professional Deliveries Module saves hours in manual administration for on-site work such as fittings, installations, maintenance, equipment drop-offs and surveys.

Now you can work smarter

The Deliveries Module creates and displays all on-site jobs in an Outlook-style diary view on the office-based Clarity system, with their real-time status such as Work In Progress or On Hold clearly highlighted using simple colour codes.

Users can enjoy total visibility of their jobs from the office as their fittings team or third party contractors carry out and complete them, and deliver an exceptional service promise to their customers.

“The response we are getting to Deliveries is phenomenal” Clarity MD Richard Gamlin elates. “The immediate returns on investment are plain to see. And it’s not just for sign and print companies – all businesses that carry out site visits or site work can see a huge benefit from using it. Video producers, POS fitters, surveyors and office equipment installers have already expressed an interest. There is no doubt that this new functionality will directly increase bottom line profitability.”

Huge savings in paper and time

Site teams often arrive back at the office with a mountain of accumulated job paperwork. Using the Deliveries Module, job information is recorded and sent back to the office via 3G or Wi-Fi as soon as it is completed using the Clarity Proof of Delivery iPhone App.

They can take pictures, add notes and track locations using geo-mapping, as well as the superb ability to take an electronic sign-off signature from customers directly onto the device, giving traceable evidence of job completion, when it was completed and the customer’s satisfaction to sign off.

Get cash into the business quicker

Gone are the days when office-based employees are waiting on paperwork to raise invoices. Now Clarity users receive immediate job completion and sign-off directly from site and raise an invoice instantly, accelerating their cash flow and optimising their business profitability.

Deliveries is the final piece of a streamlined, cost reductive electronic business workflow, saving hours in needless paper-based administration and improving customer service across the industry.