Automation For Profits

For automation on smaller format digital equipment, check out Standard Hunkeler’s diverse range of roll-fed solutions, including unwinders, rewinders, cutters and double-cutters for the continuous-feed digital print market. Designed to work with high-speed digital printers at speeds up to 720 fpm, a variety of Hunkeler machines are at the booths of industry-leading printer vendors such as HP, InfoPrint Solutions (Booth 2017), Kodak (Booth 1227), Océ (Booth 1217), Screen (1637), and Xerox (Booths 400, 600).

Beyond the plant

True automation also encompasses end-to-end workflow with JDF and “the document factory,” including workflow automation through web-to-print. Expect to see a lot of enhancements to campaign management on the floor, as well.

For example, EFI (Booth 2000) is displaying its MicroPress, a high-performance document production system that streamlines prepress work, automates manual processes, and optimizes engine speed to efficiently produce color and black-and-white documents. MicroPress supports the latest industry standard file formats, with the power to natively process PostScript, PDF and XPS, resulting in faster, more accurate output.

For printers seeking to streamline their business processes, Prism (Booth 4018) is promoting its Prism WIN 2010 management information system, which gives printers flexibility, configurability, and integrated modules to manage the diverse requirements of print, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution.

Automating prepress production is possible with Dalim Software’s (Booth 227) ES 2, which combines tasks such as color accurate softproofing with the business logic of project planning, with milestones and sophisticated approval processes. With access rights, all users are involved at the appropriate stages of the production cycle, including review and approval of corrections and revisions. The process is fully automated, yet customizable for specific needs.

interlinkONE (Booth 969)has made numerous advancements to its iLink Version 8, which allows printers to create customizable web portals to order static literature items, multi-channel marketing campaigns, and create automated follow-ups for inquiries to lead generation or survey forms.

Automation is extending beyond workflow, and can include integration with new mobile-friendly products.

For example, EFI (Booth 2000) is among those that have launched a Mobile Client for Apple mobile devices. EFI Mobile Client lets users view and control EFI Pace and Monarch workflow software as well as control and monitor all EFI-XF-driven printers and software for production and proofing via the iPhone, iPad or iPod. With access to EFI Fiery XF and Colorproof XF RIPs users can view, preview, proof, print and delete jobs from their mobile devices.

As you explore the show, keep in mind that “automation” has many faces, and can include the latest innovations, simple retrofits, while impacting every phase of print production.