Large Scale Systems Integration and Automation of a Multi-Site Printing Operation.

It is well understood that the current wave of new production technologies have placed a strain upon classical prepress workflows. Furthermore, the advent of computer to plate (CTP) technologies has essentially invalidated the existing hybrid workflow that grew up around the digital-to-film based production systems This report examines the system integration, software and database strategies required to automate a large (200 person), multi-site, specialty color prepress production process. Explicitly examined are the workflow glue technologies required to validate the production scheme for eventual implementation of a CTP process.