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 eBiz and JDF - these are the two characteristic concepts for automation and networked print production today. While eBusiness
is accomplished by means of eCommerce solutions and stands for the "externally networked production" that comprises
customers and vendors, JDF is the means for the "internally networked production" that is realized between the
printer's production systems. |
| The international CIP4 Awards testify: HIFLEX is technology world wide leader in the field of JDF connectivity. HIFLEX was
awarded four out of the six awards and achieved second places in the remaining. The 2006 award winning HIFLEX users are
Media group UNIVERSAL from Munich (Most innovative use of process automation), the internally and externally networked
Printing house Koller+Nowak (Biggest improvement in efficiency and customer responsiveness), and the Belgian Printing
house Tanghe Printing (Second place for best cost-benefit realisation). |
| HIFLEX works closely and intensively with leading manufacturers in the graphic arts industry. Today, HIFLEX has
conducted more JDF installations than all other MIS vendors combined. HIFLEX achieved this important role by
realizing 16 world premiers. |
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The combination of internally and externally networked production allows comprehensive interaction
between the customer processes and the technical job preparation in the printing company. This enables
formidable synergies on both sides. |
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The repeated "Best Practice" nominations of HIFLEX eBusiness user Koller+Nowak by the German
"Institute for Rational Corporate Governance in the Print Industry" (or "IRD" which
is a print manufacturing institute whose charter is the streamlining and automation of the printing industry)
in the years 2005 and 2006 substantiate the high development status of the HIFLEX eBusiness module. Its
practical usage is closely connected with clear economic benefits for the user - whether printer or
customer. HIFLEX's technology leadership is further underpinned by very tight integration with the HIFLEX
eBusiness module, as a customer using the HIFLEX eBusiness application initiates complex processes also
in the HIFLEX MIS.
Let's illustrate this with a practical example: The customer uses the printer's eBusiness tool to order
finished goods from stock. Their new delivery address that they have entered on the website is
automatically stored in the HIFLEX system. Automatically further processes take place: the order
is entered in the HIFLEX MIS, an issue is posted in the stock system, and the delivery note and
invoice are created. |
Automation via JDF and eBusiness provides opportunities at the highest technological level and
undoubtedly leads to proven benefits for the user. So why not combine two successful concepts
with each other and increase the positive effects? The combination of internally and externally
networked production allows comprehensive interaction between the customer processes and the
technical job preparation in the printing company. This enables formidable synergies on both sides.
For instance, an order that was placed by the customer via eBusiness can automatically be forwarded
to the production systems (esp. prepress workflow systems). At least for standard printing
products, which the customer configures and also calculates on his own via the internet,
this concept is certainly significant.
A scenario will help to demonstrate the details: An advertising agency uses the internet portal
of the printer to configure the printing product, to generate the price (via pricing agreement)
and to place the order. Automatically, the order is entered into the HIFLEX order book, the most
efficient production plan is specified and the job, including the imposition scheme, is created
in the prepress workflow system via JDF from HIFLEX. The content files have already been uploaded
by the customer via eBusiness and are now available on the prepress server.
Additionally the advertising agency can be integrated into the JDF-workflow via Adobe Acrobat.
They just have to use Acrobat Professional 7, in which JDF files can be opened. This feature
allows for further workflow automation: When HIFLEX generates an email order confirmation,
a JDF file containing the job details can be attached. The customer then can directly assign
the separate PDF files to the job parts and transfer the printing files (embedded into a JDF
data stream) to the printer. Internal pre-flight checks of the printing files before
transmission make sure that the files comply with both the JDF job definition and the
PDF pre-flight profile. They avoid a loss of time or extra costs, because the advertising
agency is notified of errors and can correct these before the content is submitted to the
printer.'> |
| The combination of eBiz and JDF eventually leads to the complete automation of standard printing
products. Nevertheless it might be disputable to which customer group this technology is primarily
geared towards. Some could take the position that it is useful only for carefully selected customers.
Others might argue that this solution is also applicable in open web shops, which will then lead
to the complete automation of standard products' job preparation - regardless which customer is
concerned. What is sure: networked production between all partners and systems that are involved
in the print production process is future trend. The achievable level of automation will be a
relevant factor for competitiveness. |
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