PortalBuilder implements time saving and web-enabled automation

GMC PortalBuilder
Online storefronts are no longer a novelty but a necessity as the printers try to shrink costs, increase productivity and keep their clients happy.

GMC launched the PortalBuilder at Print 2009 in Chicago. With this web-based workflow system, GMC targeted the variable data printing (VDP), high impact personalised marketing communication programs and direct mailing business. According to the software company, this web-to-print software allows the printers to manage the business with efficiency and high profitability.

PortalBuilder creates complete web-based marketing centres and web-enabled automation for integrated, multi-channel personalised campaigns.

Although, there has been no installation for this workflow in India, it has 25 installations worldwide. GMC is confident about the impact it will create for the print service providers and can help customers build effective, efficient personalised marketing communications programs, from data handling through design to final production and delivery.

The GMC integrated marketing system expands the functionality of the PrintNet software platform to help customers build efficient workflow and documents and capitalise on variable data based marketing campaigns.

While many companies have online ordering for static printed materials, the adoption of time-saving, web-enabled workflow automation for variable data documents has been stymied by development and deployment challenges.

PortalBuilder workflow simplifies the process and help marketing firms, service providers and other businesses to implement time saving, web-enabled automation for variable data documents and integrated personalised multi-channel campaigns. Marketers gain more flexibility and faster results by having easier access to all the variable components they need.




InkZone minimises start-up waste

InkZone
Advance Graphic Systems (AGS) is the exclusive authorised distributor of X-Rite and Digital Information in India. AGS is showcasing Digital Information’s InkZone along with X-Rite’s Intellitrax and EasyTrax

In many printing firms, preset values for ink zones are still generated using plate scanners. Apart from the laborious handling of the printing plates, the scanning of plates also result in a relatively imprecise ink profile due to weak contrast between the aluminium and ink-bearing layer, while subsequent adjustment of the zones costs time and paper.

InkZone, through the online transfer of bitmap files, work-intensive detour via the plate scanner is eliminated. InkZone refers to first-generation data.

InkZone smoothes the way into a future with JDF: JDF files supplied from the workflow or bitmap or CIP3 data that has been converted by DI-Plot into the job definition format are then converted by InkZone into the required preset control commands for the specific machine.

Vishnu Kamat, assistant vice president sales at AGS, says: "In view of shrinking print runs and frequent job changes, InkZone enables shorter set-up times and minimum start-up waste which means a significant increase not only in productivity but also profitability."

InkZone can be used with all popular press types. Existing offset machines without digitally preset ink zones can be upgraded with InkZone simply and economically.






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