JDF Overview
FUSION 08
Larry Dodd
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Outline
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Industry challenges and JDF
The potential of JDF
JDF today
ePace JDF & JMF modules
JDF files and ePace fields
Connectivity and automation
Q&A
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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)
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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)
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This is where JDF comes into play:
…JDF is intended as a method for facing those
particular industry challenges.
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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.
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What exactly is JDF?
• The architecture of a JDF file
Description of
end product
Workflow for
prod. areas
Individual
processes
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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.
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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)
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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
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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…
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Integration to web-to-print storefronts.
Offset/digital printing hybrid workflow optimization.
Presetting of workflow processes.
Automation of imposition.
Automated data collection.
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ePace JDF & JMF Modules
• JDF & JMF modules
– Integrates to JDF/JMF enabled equipment for:
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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
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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!
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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
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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
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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:
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Product info: size, # pages, fold pattern, bleed, trim
Prepress: prepress items
Paper: run size, weight, caliper, paper type
Press: press forms
Finishing: folding operations
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Examples of JDF Fields
• Prepress items
– Determines the processes that the prepress
workflow system is to perform:
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PDF normalization
Impositioning
Proofing (hard and soft, page and imposition)
Plate making
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Examples of JDF Fields
• Press forms
• # up
• Job material
• Description
• Run size
• Num along
• Num across
• Run method
• Sheets to press
• Press form inks
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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
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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.
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Connectivity and Automation
• Fully automated prepress data collection
– Job costing in real-time
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start date and time
end date and stop time
# production units
employee
chargeable vs. non-chargeable
link to activity code
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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
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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
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Thank you for your time
Any Questions?
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