With PRISMAproduction and PRISMAsimulate Ultra, users can automate print production securely and predict cost efficiencies. Canon Europe has introduced version 6 of its integrated, high-performance workflow and production management platform, PRISMAproduction, and is launching PRISMAsimulate Ultra, which includes digital layout proofing, ink estimation and production simulation features for graphic arts and business communication applications.
Building on 25 years of experience and customer feedback, PRISMAproduction has been further developed to automate and integrate data input and conversion, prepress and production management in a single platform to help customers achieve the highest levels of workflow efficiency.
Numerous enhancements have been made to the tool, including improved pre-press capabilities, giving customers more flexibility to handle a variety of print file formats including PDF, AFP, line data, PCL, Postscript, PPML, LCDS, RDO and VIPP files.
As print jobs continue to become increasingly more complex due to variable data for personalisation and runs-of-one, print file sizes are also growing. The capabilities of the new software version include tools for better data optimisation to run PRISMAproduction supported web-fed and sheetfed inkjet and toner presses at full speed, even for extremely large PDF files such as commercial photo applications. This not only maximises the throughput of the workflow, but also ensures that even the fastest of printers achieves the highest level of productivity.
Version 6 of PRISMAproduction runs on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) supporting even higher security standards than its predecessor. With improved separation between the application software and the operating system and enhancements to user management, these security features ensure print businesses can keep customer data safe and better comply with their own and industrywide security standards.
Michael Engemann, Head of Production Control at Continentale Krankenversicherung a.G. – which has trialled the new version – commented, ‘When we tested the upgraded version of PRISMAproduction, it turned out that our production operation worked so seamlessly with the new version that our decision was made to stick with this new version. We forgot that it was a new version, because it just worked.’
‘For us, PRISMAproduction is easier and more reliable to use than our previous proprietary solution. Additionally you don’t have to check whether all the data is still there or whether the printer has swallowed data when it comes to data security. So we really do see a benefit in the reliability and stability that the system offers.’
PRISMAsimulate Ultra provides an easy-to-integrate, on-premises application that supports users in ink estimation, proofing and workflow simulation, enabling them to increase predictability and reduce makeready times. PRISMAsimulate Ultra is the successor of the popular TrueProof and consists of two independent optional modules when purchased with PRISMAsimulate Ultra Server:
The Universal PDF Estimator gives customers detailed ink consumption for Canon’s web-fed inkjet presses, enabling quicker and more accurate quotations to be produced for print buyers, without having to print the file first, saving both time and resources. It supports the comparison of pre and post-calculations against actual ink and media consumption, and the production of valuable management data for further optimisation of quotations and ink-related settings. Print operators can also easily create reports with detailed estimates of the ink and media consumption based on engine-specific data. The intuitive reports can be automatically or manually exported as PDF or CSV files to allow further processing in other management applications.
In combination with PRISMAproduction, the Printer Simulation Packages offer layout proofing and production simulation for web-fed inkjet and selected toner presses to ensure first-time-ready output by checking the layout, registration and printability of each file before printing. This is useful for print service providers when growing their applications portfolio as they can avoid trial and error, which take up valuable printing time. Alongside seamlessly integrating printer simulation into the customer production workflow with PRISMAproduction, the software can help print service providers to save resources, cost and waste.
In line with market demands for more automation and against a backdrop of increasing resource costs, PRISMAsimulate Ultra is offered on a subscription basis so that no major investment is required for customers upfront.
Canon’s European Planning, Marketing and Innovation Senior Director, Production Print, Jennifer Kolloczek, said, ‘Print businesses are under pressure to respond faster and more efficiently, while having the flexibility to meet customer demands. At the same time, they face challenges such as a shortage of skilled labour, a demand for shorter runnlengths and an increase in resource costs. As many research houses highlight, automation and end-to-end workflows will be key investment areas for print businesses in the coming years in order to meet these challenges by enhancing process optimisation and increasing productivity. With graphic arts and business communication print applications incorporating and being triggered by more data about consumers, security has also become a top priority for many PSPs.’
Kolloczek continued, ‘We want to help print service providers make their operations as easy and as seamless as possible, so they can be ready to adapt to any market demand and know they can securely manage their customers’ data. Alongside the automated features within our digital print and existing PRISMA workflow solutions, our customers can rely on the new PRISMAproduction and PRISMAsimulate Ultra process efficiency tools to help them expand their business into new market segments and confidently offer a broad range of print applications to graphic arts and business communications print buyers.’
CANON SOUTH AFRICA
CZA-Marketing@canon.co.za
http://www.canon.co.za
