Industry eyes turn to digital press workflow options

By Tara McMeekin
Editor

Now that digital press vendors have trotted out their wares to newspapers, the next logical question the newspaper might ask is this: What kind of software will be needed to drive these machines?

The answer? Vendors are still working on it.

Kodak, which has brought to market its Versamark VT 3000 digital press, will approach workflow in two components — device controllers and workflow systems, according to Stephen Miller, product manager for packaging and newspaper workflow.

“All presses include a workflow component that renders input into some file format that is used by the press to put ink on substrate, “ he said. “This component also controls press actions, monitors performance, etc. Upstream from the device controller is a broader workflow solution that assembles and prepares content for production.

“With today’s use of industry standards — PDF and JDF — most press suppliers can interface with almost any manufacturer of the upstream workflow components.”

Hewlett Packard, which plans to bring its digital press to market next year, offers the HP SmartStream Ultra Print Server, which is not currently a newspaper-specific workflow system.

The vendor said it plans to adapt SmartStream to work on its forthcoming HP Inkjet Web Press.

“The SmartStream umbrella portfolio consists of both HP and third-party software — HP digital processing controllers and third-party post print production solutions — to meet a broad range of market segment and application needs ranging from newspapers to books to direct mail to transaction documents,” said Scott Schiller, director of marketing for inkjet high-speed production solutions. “The system supports many standard formats, such as PDF, and for the newspaper segment specifically, additional capabilities and third-party solutions will be added over time, as needed.”

Océ is currently marketing Prisma software to newspapers purchasing its digital press products. The app is well-suited to Océ’s various products because of its scalability, according to Andrew Gordon, manager of business intelligence.

Screen, meantime, last month announced Trueflow SE, version 6.0, the latest iteration of its PDF/JDF workflow. Trueflow has evolved from an intelligent RIP application for CTP workflows to a universal app for hybrid offset/digital workflows.

Specific to newspapers, Screen also offers Newsworker software, according to Bill Brunone, vice president of targeted inkjet systems, and its TruePress Jet 520 digital press .