JDF Overview FUSION 08 Larry Dodd www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Outline • • • • • • • Industry challenges and JDF The potential of JDF JDF today ePace JDF & JMF modules JDF files and ePace fields Connectivity and automation Q&A www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Industry Challenges …Productivity and efficiency have never been more important because we’ve never had the diversity and intensity of competition we do today. (Andrew Paparozzi, NAPL) www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Industry Challenges • Critical trends - across print markets – challenging the productivity and efficiency: – Run lengths shrinking as clients target markets more precisely. – Turn times shrinking as clients move to just-in-time ordering. – Demand for color, design, and customization growing as clients recognize power of timely, visually compelling, personalized printing. (NAPL State of the Industry Report 2005) www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… This is where JDF comes into play: …JDF is intended as a method for facing those particular industry challenges. www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… What exactly is JDF? • JDF = Job Definition Format – Data interchange format based on XML. – An electronic job jacket on steroids! • JDF is developed by CIP4 – Organization of vendor and user representatives. – Pace Systems Group is an active member of CIP4. www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… What exactly is JDF? • The architecture of a JDF file Description of end product Workflow for prod. areas Individual processes www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… What exactly is JDF? • The JDF workflow has three main components: – JDF > Job Definition Format – JMF > Job Messaging Format – MIS > Management Information System • MIS is the “master workflow controller”. – The robustness of the JDF workflow to a large extent is enabled by the master workflow controller. www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… The Potential of JDF • Computer Integrated Manufacturing …used to describe the complete automation of a manufacturing plant, with all processes running under computer control and digital information tying them together. (wikipedia.org) www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… The CIP4 Reference Model Sales Rep Customer Print Buyer Customer Service Rep Negotiation & Quote Create JDF Intent Production Scheduling Product Description Product Description (with ranges) Product Description (Actual values) Create Document Creative Professional Job Creation Customer Facility www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Limited Process Prepress Manager(s) Prepress Prepress Operator Prepress Limited Process Estimating & Order Entry Press Manager(s) Limited Process Press Operator Base MIS Extended MIS Postpress Manager(s) Print Shop Manager Print Shop Management Print Shop Press Press Postpress Postpress Operator Postpress JDF Today • Truth be told – The fully JDF and JMF enabled workflow is a futuristic concept! – Today JDF is attractive for… • • • • • Integration to web-to-print storefronts. Offset/digital printing hybrid workflow optimization. Presetting of workflow processes. Automation of imposition. Automated data collection. www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… ePace JDF & JMF Modules • JDF & JMF modules – Integrates to JDF/JMF enabled equipment for: • • • • Imposition planning Prepress Press (Sheet fed Offset Printing) Postpress (Folding) • JDF module: Utilizes a hot folder workflow • JMF module: Utilizes JMF for transport of JDF • JDF version is 1.2 www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… ePace JDF & JMF Modules • The JDF and JMF modules conform to the CIP4 Interoperability Conformance Specifications • ICS compliance makes it partner neutral – a one to many compliance, close to plug and play! www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… ePace JDF & JMF Modules • Beta workflow at GHP Media in West Haven CT • GHP workflow – ePace • JDF module • JMF module – Kodak Business Link • Kodak Preps • Kodak Prinergy www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… ePace JDF & JMF Modules • Setup connections to JDF and JDF devices via the PaceConnect framework: – JDF for hot folder devices – JMF for JDF/JMF devices – Workflow setup via event handler framework www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… ePace JDF Files • JDF files are created from printing jobs. • Certain JCC fields are required for this and therefore marked with a icon. • Examples of data mapped into JDF: – – – – – Product info: size, # pages, fold pattern, bleed, trim Prepress: prepress items Paper: run size, weight, caliper, paper type Press: press forms Finishing: folding operations www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Examples of JDF Fields • Prepress items – Determines the processes that the prepress workflow system is to perform: • • • • PDF normalization Impositioning Proofing (hard and soft, page and imposition) Plate making www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Examples of JDF Fields • Press forms • # up • Job material • Description • Run size • Num along • Num across • Run method • Sheets to press • Press form inks www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Examples of JDF Fields • Fold patterns – Seeded w/ all JDF fold patterns – Image of the selected JDF fold pattern – Legend to explain JDF fold patterns www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Connectivity and Automation • What the ePace JDF Module can offer you in terms of automation now? – Fully automate the imposition process. – Automate of the job creation process in prepress workflow systems. – Preset press controller systems for shorter makeready time on press. – Preset a controller system for folders for shorter make-ready time. – Fully automated data collection for prepress. www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Connectivity and Automation • Fully automated prepress data collection – Job costing in real-time • • • • • • start date and time end date and stop time # production units employee chargeable vs. non-chargeable link to activity code www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Connectivity and Automation • Fully automated prepress job tracking – Job tracking in real-time • start date and time • end date and stop time • link to activity code www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Further Connectivity… • What are we working towards? – Higher levels of CIP4 ICS compliance • Advanced JMF support – Wider range of workflow connectivity • Digital printing • Additional finishing operations – Support for more JDF versions • JDF 1.3, JDF 1.4 www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities… Thank you for your time Any Questions? www.pace2020.com | See the possibilities…