PIA/GATF Announces JDF User Group Formation

PITTSBURGH—January 10, 2008—Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) and International Cooperation for the Integration of Process in Prepress, Press, and Postpress (CIP4) are excited to announce the formation of a JDF User Group to focus on the implementation of JDF-enabled systems and cross-vendor implementations.

The first JDF User Group meeting will be held March 24–25, 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA. The first day starts at 2:00 p.m. at PIA/GATF and will provide a hands-on look at JDF implementations within the facility and a discussion of the challenges to creating successful implementations. Day two will consist of panel discussions, case studies, and peer networking; sessions will finish by mid-day.

The group is aimed at a wide range of users of JDF-enabled systems from creation to fulfillment; this includes sheetfed, web, and digital production facilities and focuses on the practical implementation of different systems. Its steering committee is made up entirely of printers who have either implemented systems or are in the process of implementation.

“I am very excited about this group, as it will be able to give printers a practical guide to implementation based on best practices and experiences in the industry,” remarked Dr. Mark Bohan, PIA/GATF Vice President, Research and Technology. “It has the support of the printer and supplier community, as well as CIP4, and is an outstanding opportunity to expand the scope of JDF implementation and true cross-vendor implementation.”

Bohan went on to comment, “PIA/GATF has a prime opportunity to host this group at our state-of-the-art facility. Participants will see the latest applications at work and better understand the practical development of JDF. In addition, the JDF User Group complements our already successful JDF certification program.”

There are many exciting new solutions to workflow available at the moment, with even more being introduced at drupa 2008. The JDF User Group seeks to address and answer these important questions involved with JDF implementation and more:

How do you effect cross-vendor implementations?

How does my MIS integrate into my press and prepress?

What happens with postpress?

Where do I start?

What do I need to avoid?

How do I optimize the integration of new installations into my existing workflows?

Ray Hartman, keynote speaker at PIA/GATF’s 2007 Workflow Conference, commented, “automation of workflow is one of the best opportunities to drive productivity and costs out of production and reduce the number of touch points. This is something I have been advocating and am pleased that PIA/GATF, as the premier printing association, has taken a lead on this.”

“Implementing process automation, even with JDF, requires active participation by the printer’s staff,” said James Harvey, Executive Director of CIP4. “Different vendors have different philosophies for how they are implementing process automation, and printers may find themselves acting as project managers to work out issues that may arise when multiple systems are integrated. The JDF User Group fills a huge void in the industry by providing a forum where users can learn from each other, exchange ideas, and present issues to the vendor community. In this format, they are sure to get answers. I can say that CIP4 itself looks forward to hearing the issues that printers discover, and I expect the JDF User Group’s input will have a direct impact on CIP4’s ongoing development work and will ultimately benefit the entire printing industry.”

The JDF User Group will meet three times a year throughout the country. More information on the JDF User Group, including how to join, is available by contacting Hallie Barcalow, Research Coordinator, at 412-259-1706 or hbarcalow@piagatf.org, or Dr. Mark Bohan at 412-259-1782 or mbohan@piagatf.org.

About PIA/GATF
PIA/GATF is the world’s largest graphic arts trade association representing an industry with more than 1.2 million employees. It serves the interests of more than 12,000 member companies. PIA/GATF, along with its affiliates, delivers products and services that enhance the growth, efficiency and profitability of its members and the industry through advocacy, education, research and technical information.

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. Information on CIP4, including membership details, is available from the organization’s website: www.cip4.org. Or contact: Stefan Daun, Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics, +49 6151 155 575, secretariat@cip4.org. “CIP4” and “JDF” are registered trademarks of the CIP4 Organization.

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. 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. More information is available at http://www.cip4.org/ .