PODi Releases CheckPPML_Pro Variable Data Preflight Solution
ROCHESTER, NY—April 7, 2009—PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative, today announced the release of CheckPPML_Pro. This production "preflight" tool enables proofing, viewing, preflight and validation of properly formed PPML/GA files. PPML (the Personalized Print Markup Language) facilitates creating personalized high-volume print campaigns by service providers, enabling meaningful one-to-one "conversations" for their customers.
Early users report that CheckPPML_Pro is up to 20 times faster than the free version of CheckPPML, while retaining its easy-to-use interface. “CheckPPML_Pro ran our (large) files in about 3 minutes, instead of two hours (with a prior solution); and the output looks good." said Ray Niblett of Shutterfly.
CheckPPML is the "reference PPML Consumer" used by manufacturers to certify their PPML/GA producing & consuming (printing) devices. This makes it an excellent PPML preflight tool & viewing tool. CheckPPML generates the same output pages (in PDF form) that a PPML Certified printing device will print. CheckPPML_Pro is brought to you by the same team that created the original CheckPPML, with the addition of production-level performance and support for unlimited file sizes.
CheckPPML_Pro generates the PDF output for viewing, an error log, and a manifest that can be used to verify whether files have been changed, and lists the itemized contents of the PPML file.
"We heard from both PODi members and the larger digital print industry, that they needed a non-proprietary solution for validating their files", explained Rab Govil, President of PODi. "We knew with PODi’s expertise that we could not only develop a solution that worked, but one that all parties could trust."
CheckPPML_Pro provides a graphical user interface (GUI) and can be scripted for powerful workflow automation. CheckPPML_Pro installs easily on both Windows (XP & Vista) and Mac (OSX 10.4.9 and later). CheckPPML_Pro and additional information are both available at http://ppml.podi.org
About PODi
PODi (www.podi.org ) is an industry initiative with hundreds of member companies, including Executive Board members EFI, HP and Xerox. PODi leads the evolution of the digital printing infrastructure by promoting interoperability through standards, and advances digital printing business opportunities. Membership in PODi is open to companies and organizations involved in digital printing.
About PPML
Personalized Print Markup Language (PPML) supports mass printing of individually relevant images and text specific to a recipient, enabling 1:1 "conversations" with customers. PPML is a widely supported, XML-based print language developed by PODi. It is an open, interoperable, device-independent standard that enables the widespread use of personalized print applications in high volumes. It supports a full range of on-demand printing, ranging from the office environment to high-speed production operations. To that end PPML inter-operates with CIP4's Job Definition Format (JDF), which provides bi-directional job ticketing, tracking, and workflow optimization.