JDF Interoperability Matrix Tops 100 Product Integrations
DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—May 8, 2012—The International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4) organization announces the JDF Interoperability Matrix has topped 100 “customer confirmed” integrations. The matrix identifies JDF-enabled integrations that are co-developed by vendors of graphic arts systems to support print automation in their commercially available products.
This resource is designed to show the pairings between those compatible systems that either generate or consume JDF to organize and/or send work to other devices, with the intention of automating print production.
While not a technical reference, the Matrix is a popular and valuable tool for printers, and benefits them in several ways. Although all JDF-enabled systems are capable of being integrated into an automated and networked environment, equipment still needs to be setup and tested prior to “live” operation. If there is an already working integration between two devices in the field, then subsequent installations are much easier and less expensive to implement.
Interface listings in the Matrix fall into one of four possible categories:
- “In Progress” integrations signify that two vendors have a working relationship and an interface in development.
- “Available” means an interface between systems from the two vendors is established and available for purchase and installation.
- “Installed” means that the interface between the systems of the two vendors is installed at a printer’s shop.
- “Customer Confirmed” is the highest level of integration, and means that a printer has confirmed with a CIP4 staff member that the installation is not just installed, but used in daily production and meets or exceeds the user’s expectations.
“In the drupa edition of the ‘Production Automation News,’ we have published all 103 customer-confirmed listings in the JDF Integration Matrix,” reports CIP4 Education and Marketing Officer Tim Daisy, also of EFI. “We know that approximately 50 percent of printers in North America have implemented print automation, and more plan on implementing print automation in the near future. This increase in ‘customer confirmed’ JDF connections leads me to believe that print automation has become the norm for how print is managed and manufactured.”
The JDF Matrix is published at the beginning of each month as a dynamic Web page.
About JDF
The Job Definition Format (JDF) is the industry specification designed to facilitate process automation and the integration of different applications and systems in and around the graphic arts industry. Widely adopted and recognized worldwide as a key industry standard, JDF also enables the integration of business management and job planning applications into the production workflow. JDF is based on the W3C’s Extensible Markup Language (XML), ensuring maximum interoperability between different platforms and ready interaction with Internet systems.
About CIP4
CIP4 brings together vendors, consultants, and end-users in the print communications, graphic arts industry, and associated sectors, covering a variety of equipment, software, peripherals, and processes. Members participate in focused working groups to define the Job Definition Format (JDF), PrintTalk, and other standards relevant to process automation; to study user requirements; to test product interoperability; and to develop a range of JDF software development tools as well as educational resources.
Source: CIP4.