 | | | | |
|
 When a user meeting flows harmoniously, cordially, and cooperatively, there is definitely a reason. One can try to find the reason in the general satisfaction with the
implemented system. Or in the fact that, based on the motto "As a team we are strong," the feeling of solidarity between users and the manufacturer promises success. |
| At the HIFLEX User Conference in Aachen, June 14 and 15, 2007, about 100 users of the Management Information System (which long ago evolved beyond "estimation software") met to
discuss and learn from each other. Considering the range of products that HIFLEX MIS now offers, the users are on different levels especially when it comes to automation,
integration, or E-Business. The HIFLEX team welcomed users from Europe, North America, Asia, and South Africa, who operate in very different markets, and were able to impart
their professional knowledge to colleagues. |
| After all, the exchange of ideas was the focal point of the event, which was also reflected in the conference agenda. Each day, the participants could select from a total of 20
seminars, which were offered separately in German and English, and addressed both very diverse technologies and practical applications. HIFLEX consultants introduced solutions
and presented prospects, which HIFLEX would like to orientate its products towards in the future, and how users can profit from these advancements. |
|
|
|
| Ted Vickers (left), Workflow Expert, with his colleague Josef Kocsi from the U.S. Department of State. At the in-house print shop (with offices in Washington,
Manila, Vienna, and soon in Cairo), print products are produced for the U.S. embassies. |
|
 |
| IT Manager Christer Ringblom (left) from Fälth & Hässler in Sweden and Data Processing Manager Stig Vormeland (right) from PDC Tangen in Norway. Based out of Oslo,
PDC Tangen is completely integrated from the administration through prepress, printing, and finishing, and uses the HIFLEX MIS and JDF for the automation of the
entire company. Fälth & Hässler went live with HIFLEX MIS as the first Swedish printer and will soon integrate production via JDF/JMF. |
| Patrick Tanghe and Leslie Depuydt from Tanghe Printing N.V.. Tanghe Printing in Belgium is one of the CIP4 awarded printing companies of the last year. |
|
| Beaming Austrians: Michael Schwayda (right), Technical Manager at print shop Ferdinand Berger & Söhne Ges.m.b.H., Alfred Mondschein (middle), responsible for the IT division at
Leykam Druck, and Peter Unterscheider, Operations Management at Leykam / Let's Print. |
|
|
| For example, the seminar about the new information cockpit "EIS" (Executive Information System) showed how management can continuously access company-related data through
dynamic diagrams. Apart from the developmental aspects, there were also sessions that highlighted practical solutions and tips that reflected the users' vast experience.
These seminars ranged from estimation, including imposition, order processing, data delivery and data check, order data acquisition, electronic job docket, and materials
management, to shipment processing, and sales management. Furthermore, JDF basics were taught and practical solutions similar to those found at print Berger in Horn
encompasses Agfa prepress and a MAN Roland Lithoman rotary press. Furthermore, E-Business applications (Ex.: Grieger from Nettetal, Germany) and an open Web Shop
were demonstrated live, and the benefits of the procurement tool HIFLEX Print Support (www.printsupport.com)
were debated. Additionally, paper management in practice
at the printing firm Druckhaus Berlin-Mitte, and RFID transponder technology in the printing field were introduced. The complete and complex automation including
integration of E-Business and JDF was also discussed. In each of the workshops, HIFLEX MIS presented itself using a new, optimized user interface. |
|
|
|
 |
| Screenshot from the newly redesigned information cockpit "EIS" (Executive Information System) in the HIFLEX customer database. This expansion serves the dynamic
generation of tables and graphics from important data and analyses in HIFLEX MIS, all at the push of a button. Visible at a glance: Revenue / Month
(the last 13 months), Revenue / Year (the last 3-5 years), Incoming Orders / Month (the last 13 months), Incoming Orders / Year (the last 3-5 years),
Result / Month (the last 13 months), Result / Year (the last 3-5 years), Estimates / Year (the last 3-5 years), Orders / Year (the last 3-5 years). |
|
|
| Another highlight was the new Web Shop "Print Plaza" (www.printplaza.com), behind which lies
the integration and cooperation of several print shops.
Based on their various orientations and press configurations, they can offer an extremely wide selection of products resulting from the combination of over 160,000
individual components (such as formats, colors, paper etc.). |
| The solutions, which have already been introduced and realized by a number of HIFLEX users, offered many opportunities for professional discourse.
Above all, the following topics were scrutinized: when or at what volume is the application of a solution reasonable, when not, and for whom should the relevant
implementation be considered. Based on this, the user conference was a far cry from matter-of-fact presentations by the manufacturer; rather, it was a most constructive
exchange of ideas. |
HIFLEX is manufacturer of the Management Information System (HIFLEX MIS), which reproduces and supports all business processes in the graphic arts industry.
The HIFLEX MIS is subdivided into the fields Office, Factory, and E-Business (Office: Pre-Estimation, Order Processing, CRM, Materials Management, Document Management.
Factory: Operating Data Processing and Machine Data Processing (ODP/MDP), Scheduling, Shipment Processing, JDF Interfaces. E-Business: Online PDF Creation,
Order Picking, Info Center, Fulfillment, Data Handling, Online Proof.)
HIFLEX is known worldwide as the technological leader in JDF integration. A close cooperation exists with all well-known press and system suppliers in the print
and media industry. HIFLEX is a member of the Networked Graphic Production (NGP) Initiative as well as partner member of the CIP4 organization.
In the worldwide CIP4 Innovation Award 2005, as well as 2006, HIFLEX won four of the six awards and received second place in the remaining two. HIFLEX has conducted more
JDF installations than all other MIS providers combined.
HIFLEX MIS is installed in 20 countries and available in 24 languages. About 30% of revenue is re-invested in research and development annually. |
| | | |
|
