DIGITAL bytes

RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ—Agfa recently concluded a three-day Apogee user conference in Ghent, Belgium. This was the third time Apogee users (185 from 21 countries) gathered to discuss workflow issues and solutions. Technology partners Adobe Systems, Enfocus, Hewlett-Packard and ScenicSoft joined Agfa to provide insights into the next generation of workflow automation, which the company says is essential to printing business growth.

Jean-François Cuillerier, of Quebecor World, a co-developer of Agfa Delano, emphasized the positive results of automation at the printer. "We are in control," he noted. "There is less stress in the plant and less confusion. We have more predictability, and our customers have more confidence in us." (www.agfa.com)

MINNEAPOLIS—Gopher State Litho has transitioned to a CTP-based workflow with the installation of a Fujifilm Javelin Luxel T-9000 HS thermal platesetter. "Going direct-to-plate was very easy for us," says Scott Koch, prepress supervisor. "Out of the box, we were up-and-running very quickly." The 80-plus employee company currently operates a half-size web press and four 40˝ sheetfed presses. In addition, it has a full-service bindery and mailing/fulfillment department. (www.gopherstatelitho.com/www.fujifilm.com)

UTICA, NY—Brodock, a full-service sheetfed printer, has expanded its digital services with the implementation of a Web-accessible digital asset management (DAM) system. The system uses a combination of dedicated hardware and software to archive, track and manage digital files. Anyone with an Internet browser and a Brodock-assigned account can access either past or present job files and/or a customer data repository. They also can upload/download files and view files online. (www.brodock.com)

CHICAGO—GPA, America's Label Expert, announced the certification of its 60-lb. White Matte Litho and 60-lb. High Gloss Ultra Bak media for use on HP Indigo digital presses. Both pressure-sensitive stocks were tested by Rochester Institute of Technology's Printing Applications Laboratory. The stocks are said to be manufactured using premium quality facestocks for high brightness and gloss. (www.labelexperts.com)

ADDISON, TX—DOT Thermography has purchased a Xerox DocuColor 12 digital color printer to offer full-color business cards and post cards. The company specializes in thermographed business cards, stationery, rotary file cards and announcements. Its customer base includes retail and commercial printing companies, print brokers and forms distributors. (www.dot-thermography.com)

INDIANAPOLIS—NPP Packaging Graphic Specialists (formerly known as National Printing Plate) has purchased a major prepress system upgrade from Esko-Graphics as part of a company-wide restructuring program. NPP purchased optics retrofits and new RIPs for its large-format egasetter and D3800 imagesetters to improve film output resolution and speed, as well as new workstation processors, a suite of PackEdge workflow software programs (for image manipulation, trapping and color management) and BackStage process automation software (for step-and-repeat, output device management and overall system administration). (www.esko-graphics.com)