Which is the best workflow for the Indian market?

In this age of automation, it is essential that all major components of pre-press and the pressroom are on the same page, minimising costly bottlenecks and delays. Which is why, PrintWeek India is running a poll on the best workflows showcased during Drupa 2016.

20 Mar 2017 | By Sriraam Selvam

Agfa
Agfa Graphics has new versions of Apogee, Asanti and Arkitex workflows, including StoreFront web-to-print and many state-of-the-art cloud implementations. Apogee Cloud incorporates all Apogee 10 workflow modules, yet relies on the cloud infrastructure, know-how and security offered by Agfa Graphics. 

Fujifilm
The XMF workflow, featuring cross media capability for fully integrated production, optimised turnaround time for sheetfed, web and digital print work, a Pure PDF workflow for optimum efficiency, JDF architecture for maximum flexibility, a simple, intuitive user interface, and image processing, imposition and intelligent automation technologies built-in.

Fujifilm’s XMF portfolio now also includes XMF Remote, which enables customers to submit jobs online via a fully customisable web portal. Pre-flighting commences as soon as the files are received, with updates to the job status window reflecting this. Online and emailed status reports and alerts ensure that both printer and customers know the progress of any job at any point, speeding up the entire review and sign-off process. 

Heidelberg
The German print and graphics giant's Prinect’s Smart Automation module enables virtually fully automated production of standard print products, from pre-press to post-press, with Prinect now automatically defining the production concepts based on job data and product information. 

Kodak
Kodak introduced its Portfolio 8 product line. Prinergy 8, Preps 8, Pandora 8, Insite 8, all in Beta now. And in the very near future, it plans to introduce the first of many cloud based services; archive and system analytics.

As for Prinergy, Kodak describes it as modular and customisable, with an open infrastructure that integrates conventional and digital print production. It supports virtually all third-party press equipment in addition to Kodak products. Prinergy is fully integrated, from job submission to output. Configured industry solutions specialise it for commercial (offset and digital) and packaging printing. 

Screen
Screen’s Equios workflow now has the latest Adobe PDF Print Engine 2 core, which enables high-speed processing of large amounts of data, a key requirement of variable data printing (VDP). PDF files can be RIPed to Screen's Truepress JetSX inkjet sheetfed press, as well as to the Truepress Jet520 VDP web press and PlateRite CTP recorders, along with inkjet and toner-based POD presses and proofers from other manufacturers.

Which is the best workflow for India?

Agfa's Apogee

Fujifilm's XMF

Heidelberg's Prinect

Kodak's Prinergy

Screen's Equios