New workflow formula: PDF+JDF=CIM.
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PDF and JDF are the essence of independent platform networking and complete printing workflow automation, and will enable computer integrated manufacturing systems for the printing industry.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems (CIM) have become a reality in many industries. However, the printing industry is falling behind in this regard. This does not mean that the printing industry's demand for automation is less urgent. On the contrary, as the volume of printing continues to decrease, prices are increasingly declining due to fierce competition, and at the same time, customers' demands for quality and delivery time are becoming more and more demanding, and automation is imminent.
The reduction in print volume affects the average production time. According to a survey by Heidelberg, by 2005, the actual time required for printing will only account for 15% of the total production time; in 2000, this time accounted for 28% of the total production time. Conversely, the time ratio required for other parts of the workflow will increase, for example, prepress operations accounted for 23% of total production time in 2000 and 28% in 2005; management operations accounted for 2000 24% will account for 29% by 2005; post-press processing will account for 25% in 2000 and 28% by 2005. This means that a lot of work will be done at the same time. In order to maintain turnover and profit, the application of management operations, prepress operations and post-press processing automation will be imperative.
■ Cover only certain parts of the workflow
According to the digitization of prepress operations, the first step towards networking and automation is the CIP3 Alliance's Print Production Format (PPF) and Adobe's Portable Work Order Format (PJTF.). PJTF portable work order. Suitable for PDF-based workflows, for example, Agfa's Apogee Series3), detailing how to deal with imposition, coloring and screening work. On the other hand, PPF is used for color zone control on the press and is suitable for controlling the settings of the cutter and folder. However, PJTF and PPF do not completely cover the entire workflow, only some of them can be covered.
Faced with this situation, Agfa, Adobe, Heidelberg and Manroland jointly proposed the JDF format in 2000. This is the first standard format that covers the entire workflow, from the beginning of the customer's signing of the contract to the delivery and invoicing of the entire workflow. The first version of the JDF format was launched at the Drupa2000 exhibition and submitted to the CIP4 Alliance for evaluation. Since then, this alliance of more than 100 companies has stepped up the development of a JDF format based on an independent platform to make it more perfect.
■ Comprehensive solution without huge cost
JDF is not a completely new solution, but is based on previous standard formats such as PPF and PJTF. However, it enables the possibility of real-time information exchange between individual workflow components. Communication, inquiries and commands offer new possibilities for the communication and operation of information. In this way, JDF enables both technical and administrative workflows to be combined at a fraction of the cost. XML (Extensible Markup Language) was chosen to be common to information exchange to ensure compatibility with the Internet.
JDF has taken a step toward the automation process, so future printers will be able to handle more work in less time and require less staff to operate. In the JDF workflow, the work data will no longer be manually recorded on the work order, but flow directly from the production system to the management information system. This information forms the basis for accurate work calculations and cost calculations. In this way, all program and cost calculations become more transparent to all relevant personnel. Not only that, JDF is a tool that can include both customers and suppliers in the workflow, so new forms of collaboration can be established.
■ Now it’s the turn of the manufacturer to play
"The JDF specification has been around for a long time since version 1.1, and now it can cover a large number of production steps and links," said Dr. Rainer Prosi, technical director of the CIP4 Alliance. At the IPEX2002 exhibition, the JDF standard has been able to support 21 products from 14 different manufacturers. Agfa demonstrates the latest version of its workflow management system with ApogeeX, which is fully JDF compliant and uses Management Information Systems (MIS) for information dissemination.
In addition to JDF, other abbreviations and names, such as PrintTalk, IFRAtrack, and JMF, have caused resentment in the industry and brought confusion. However, these new developments are not competing with JDF. PrintTalk and IFRAtrack can extend and be compatible with JDF. PrintTalk is the standard for exchanging information between e-commerce applications and management information systems. IFRAtrack is also based on XML, a format for information dissemination between production systems and job tracking systems in the newspaper production sector. In the JDF standard, this feature is provided by JMF (Job Managed by the Managing Format).
■ JDF is an indispensable requirement in the purchase plan
Users should have considered JDF and factored in when considering new equipment purchases. Apogee Product Marketing Manager Paul Adriaensen said: "Even at this stage, JDF should be an indispensable requirement in the purchase plan. Even if a product does not currently support JDF, the manufacturer should provide an upgrade path."
Rome is not built in a day, and the JDF-based workflow will take some time to become a routine. PDF expert Stephan Jaeggi believes that the combination of management and technology workflows actually needs to be implemented at the Drupa2004 exhibition.
PDF has become the standard for archival and content descriptions, and as such, JDF will likely become the standard for describing and controlling individual programs and entire workflows in the printing industry. In the future, the combination of PDF and JDF will clearly define what to print and how to print, regardless of the source of the file, and who will print it. When this happens, the printing industry will move to the true concept of computer integrated manufacturing systems (CIM).