DATA INTEGRATION -- Tooling Up for CIM

"JDF is about describing the printed piece and the workflow component that happens within the plant. PrintTalk extends beyond those walls and addresses the way two companies work together. It's a tool for managing the business process of printing," Mekis asserts.

Printing companies may not yet be able to assemble a complete CIM toolkit, but there's no reason not to start putting the available pieces in place. After all, information is power.