McClatchy Co. Centralizes Production Workflow; 35 CTP Devices Managed from Main Hub

PRINCETON, N.J. — February 10, 2016 — In December 2015, McClatchy Co. contracted New Jersey based ProImage to centralize its nationwide production using NewsWay automated workflow solution. Thirteen McClatchy owned properties and the workflow for commercial and contract printers will receive centralized edition planning, RIPPing, imposition, preflighting, ink presetting, ink optimization and output management. A total of 35 CTP output devices will be managed from the McClatchy's main hub in Fort Worth, Texas.

ProImage NewsWay is a production workflow system for newspaper and commercial printers that controls and manages production from front-end systems through to output. NewsWay is entirely browser-based, requires no client licenses and allows monitoring production status from origination to print sites, regardless of the print location.

Each McClatchy property will have its own custom workflow to meet their specific production requirements. A unique, browser-based login and password allows each to view only specific publications and multiple user access levels provides different views into production.

The primary hub in Fort Worth, Texas, will house the servers functioning as the interface between the multi-site NewsWay system that links the hubs and the print sites. Its functionality includes workflow management, production tracking, Ripping, page and plate approvals, annotation, driving proofers, furniture and text burning, priority scheduling, and plate room management just to name a few.

Five out of the 13 locations will have a local NewsWay footprint equipped with a WAN module allowing for more efficient plate transmission. This module ensures higher efficiency data transfer rates, accurate file delivery and real time status updates. The hub will Rip, impose and send the plate ready TIFFs to the receiving print plant’s NewsWay system. The plate will be replicated at the local site for multiple instances based on press and printing needs. The NewsWay receiver module will also have an integrated RIP for disaster recovery purposes. In addition to Ripping, each local site can plan, impose and output locally if needed.

The five locations with a local NewsWay Footprint are:

• Kansas City Star, Missouri
• Miami Herald, Florida
• Charlotte Observer, North Carolina
• The State, Columbia, South Carolina
• Sacramento Bee, California

Each of these locations will have all products produced by NewsWay. The remaining eight locations will have a standard site workflow where plate-ready TIFFs are sent to TIFF Spoolers of the desired CTP each time a copy is needed.

ProImage Ahead of the Game
The centralization project significantly streamlines McClatchy’s production. Five properties had existing local NewsWay systems that were transferred to the production hub. All other existing local workflow systems will be replaced with the NewsWay centralized system.

"When we started looking at potential vendor candidates, it became apparent that ProImage had the most experience in this area because of the many previous, large-scale installations they already had done," stated Herman Spencer, Premedia Technology Manager at McClatchy Co. "We quickly realized that ProImage is ahead of the game."

Centralization of Production Workflow offers many Benefits
"Centralizing such a large production network and removing various local software systems will reduce maintenance costs significantly," added Spencer. In addition, support contract costs will be cut and IT and Prepress will be trained on one system, which reduces the learning curve of new systems and allows for expert knowledge across sites. Locations will be capable of providing support to each other and negates the upgrading of hardware and software as this will be done on a corporate level.

Because of its powerful platform and flexibility, ProImage NewsWay is the ideal solution for centralizing production. This is proven by recent installations at LEE Enterprises where ProImage is managing 30 properties and over 50 CTP devices. Journal Media Group, formerly EW Scripps, manages production for 12 properties, and at PostMedia, formerly Sun Media a Quebecor Company, NewsWay is managing the entire production at 8 properties totaling 16 dailies and 64 weeklies plus about 25 commercial jobs in Canada each week.

About McClatchy Co.
The McClatchy Co. is a 21st century news and information leader, publisher of iconic brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee, The Charlotte Observer, The (Raleigh) News and Observer, and the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram. McClatchy operates media companies in 28 U.S. markets in 14 states, providing each of its communities with high-quality news and advertising services in a wide array of digital and print formats.

About ProImage
First established in 1995, New ProImage is a leading developer of browser-based content management, digital workflow, ink optimization, tablet and Mobile solutions, color image processing and production tracking solutions for the commercial and newspaper printing and publishing industries. Its solutions enable publishers, which have been dramatically affected by the rapid growth of digital publishing to remain competitive in today's economic climate.

Source: ProImage.