Expand Vol. 3 No. 11

EFI Encourages More Automated Workflows with Digital StoreFront

At both SGIA and Graph Expo, EFI was one of several companies that were actively advocating more automated workflows as a way for print-service providers to become more competitive, efficient, and profitable in today’s tough economic climate.

Among the many products featured in the EFI booth was a new version of Digital StoreFront, which enables print buyers to place online orders for whatever combination of digitally printed materials they may need to conduct a marketing campaign. According to EFI, the Digital StoreFront can help improve your company’s profitability by handling complex job submissions and improving customer satisfaction and convenience.

For example, if a print buyer visited your company’s online store (powered by Digital StoreFront), they would be able to see the full range of products your company offers, get online estimates, order packages of multiple different types of print products, and upload their files. Along with printing, they could also order accessories such as trade-show walls, lightboxes, easels, and mounting kits.

To automate your workflow even further, incoming print orders can be automatically processed through an EFI Colorproof XF RIP server. The server can send color-managed files to each of the printing devices needed to fulfill the order. For example, EFI showed a networked Canon imagePROGRAF printer being used as a proofing printer alongside an assortment of roll-to-roll and flatbed presses.

Because EFI servers can be equipped with optional software modules that can drive multiple types of printing devices, commercial printing companies could use EFI software to drive the production of marketing collateral on a digital press and P-O-P graphics and outdoor signage on a combination of printers.

EFI is also promoting two management-information software packages for graphics producers. EFI Pace is for users of superwide printers. EFI PrintSmith is for smaller print-for-pay service providers. These two programs, which also integrate with EFI’s Colorproof XF RIP server, allow you to oversee estimating and pricing, scheduling, and job costing.