Software - Web-to-print

BY MARK SMITH PDF is supposed to stand for Portable Document Format, but "pretty darn frustrating" has been a more fitting moniker in many ways. When Adobe introduced the Acrobat software family, with PDF as its core technology, it was billed as the answer to the shortcomings inherent in the PostScript language, among other things. The coveted benefits of PDF include the ability to generate relatively small, self-contained (including fonts) files that can be processed more efficiently and reliably. Yet, more than five years later, PDF only now seems in a position to become the standard or even generally preferred file format

Digital Art Exchange (DAX) and Hilgraeve Inc., a provider of secure Internet delivery solutions, have formed a strategic partnership. Hilgraeve's HyperSend will be integrated into the DAX suite of applications. The solution, DAX-IT (DAX secure Information Transfer), will allow customers to take advantage of Hilgraeve's HyperSend file transfer technology. PaperExchange.com has partnered with Schenker to provide Paper-Exchange customers with instant access to European freight services. The partnership will provide PaperExchange customers with the ability to obtain origin-to-destination logistic quotes, allowing members to complete the transaction process online. Schenker will offer PaperExchange customers a comprehensive forwarding and logistics service. Printworkers.com has launched its Website. It is

Editor's Note: Keeping track of who's who in the dotcom world can be a bit confusing at times. Here's a directory of the companies offering Internet-based solutions for the graphic arts industry. For a list of online companies that offer paper procurement resources, see the January 2001 issue of Printing Impressions. 58k.com Gives print buyers access to 58,000 U.S. printers in a centralized auction market using electronic bid forms. Designed to open up all print jobs to all printers. A standardized electronic spec sheet allows print buyers to post quote requests for public consumption. 58k.com rates buyers on their follow-through. Artmachine.comOnline media asset management

As 2001 dawns, which dotcom companies will survive and prosper? BY CAROLINE MILLER It has been an interesting ride to say the least. In 1999, the graphic arts industry saw the dawn of the dotcoms. The industry was inundated with a variety of Web-based solutions that offered new efficiencies and time savings. However, the adoption of dotcom solutions—whether it be e-procurement or e-production—has been slow. The hesitant adoption rate, coupled with the devaluation of technology stocks last April, has left many in the industry wondering if the dotcoms will survive in 2001. Already we've begun to see some consolidation with the purchase of

Marching Off to On Demand and VUE/Point NEW YORK—The On Demand 2001 conference and exposition is slated to run at New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center from February 28 to March 2. Over the course of the event, corporate printing professionals reportedly will learn about improving customer relationship management (CRM), increasing response rates with 1:1 marketing, outsourcing successfully and lowering costs while driving sales. Print-for-profit professionals will gain insight into the best migration strategies, the newest technology, what the competition is doing, as well as what corporate customers want next. The event managers have announced the addition of two more keynote sessions: "e-Printing

DAX: Connection People Over the past six years, Digital Art Exchange (DAX) has built a reputation in the industry as being a company that knows all about connectivity. DAX has helped commercial printers navigate the uncharted waters of building a network infrastructure and choosing the most productive online applications to help them take advantage of digital workflow technologies. Martijn van Steeg, COO of DAX, recently sat down with Printing Impressions' Caroline Miller to talk about the hurdles that printers must still clear before they can implement a totally digital workflow, as well as the benefits of going digital. PI: What is the

BY MARK SMITH Upon returning from serving in the army during World War II, brothers Ozzie and Vary Aslanian founded a photoengraving shop in New York City. The name "Quality" was adopted sometime later, but management has always taken pride in the high level of craftsmanship offered by the company. At the same time, Quality House of Graphics has been a leader in adopting new technologies. The philosophy guiding its investments is that craftsmanship is enhanced, not replaced, by technology. Benchmarks in the company's history include being the first in its market to install a Quantel Graphic Paintbox, for high-end retouching work; and

BY MARK SMITH Like a pit bull on a mail carrier's ankle, there are some issues that just won't seem to loosen their hold on the graphic arts industry. Font-related issues are the best case in point, having caused problems since the earliest days of desktop publishing and still hindering the processing of many jobs today. Similarly, digital proofing has presented challenges for most of that same time period. There is no solution that is perfect for everyone, so debate has raged about what is the best—or even just an acceptable—approach to digital color proofing. The points of disagreement usually are rooted in the

I first starting writing about printers and the Internet in the summer of 1995; a mere five years ago in human time, a lifetime ago for technology. Since then I've continued to harangue you in this column and in my seminars. Get with the Internet, get with the Web, I've admonished. This really is going to affect printing and publishing—it's inevitable. The problem is that I've been a little short on specifics about what exactly a printer is supposed to DO about the Web. Was I suggesting that printers learn a lot more about the Internet and the Web? (Definitely.) Was I suggesting that you

I had to laugh when one seminar attendee said I was a windbag so full of hot air that he felt he was going into a melt down, because my wife has said the same thing to me before. But, so far, she hasn't gone into a melt down, at least not from the drone of my chatter. However, many were enthusiastic and said I gave them much to think about. It was amazing just how diverse the comments on my talk at the Seybold Conference in San Francisco were. My impact appeared to range from "wow" to "get lost." But, I think