JDF & CIM -- Issues Are Not so CIMple

To use the industry pundit's own words, "You cannot buy JDF. You buy products that apply JDF."

As an enabler of process automation, JDF/JMF (Job Messaging Format) support becomes an integral capability in workflow components, be they hardware or software. Vendors obviously stand to gain financially from implementing JDF as an optional (extra cost) add-on module, but competitive pressure may dictate that connectivity to come standard. Even if it is offered as an add-on, what difference is there in buying ink-key presetting, for example, enabled by JDF versus earlier technology (most likely CIP3/PPF) on a new press?