The FINANCIAL  -- Performing prepress production functions - from simple tasks such as inserting tabs into a print job to complex color matching - can cause bottlenecks that dramatically reduce productivity. Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) on October 15 announced several additions to its industry-leading FreeFlow suite of workflow software and hardware that take steps out of the current prepress process, allowing print providers to move more jobs through their shops with minimal operator involvement, saving time and money.

 The new offerings are:

FreeFlow Print Server version 7, the company's most powerful print server, delivers enhanced color matching, an intuitive interface for simple job submission and customizable security features.

FreeFlow Output Manager version 7 software, integrated with Xerox office printers, allows users to scan hard copy documents and route them from a remote multifunction printer (MFP) to the appropriate production device when larger quantities or special finishing options are required.

FreeFlow Express to Print software, shown for the first time as a technology demonstration at drupa in May 2008, is now available for purchase. Affordably priced and tailored for entry-level digital print operations, Express to Print increases productivity by automating frequently repeated jobs and routine job preparation tasks for more efficient job management.

"Workflow is the backbone of any printing operation," said Quincy Allen, president, Xerox Production Systems Group. "Workflow automation helps our customers connect to their clients, reduce costs and enable greater productivity and we deliver more integrated tools to drive that automation than anyone in the industry."

FreeFlow Print Server version 7

Offering expanded color management capabilities, FreeFlow Print Server version 7 uses a new visual spot color editing tool that makes the traditionally difficult task of matching color easier. The visual spot color editor shows variations in color at different increments and enables customers to print what is on the screen and precisely match it to the color they want. This feature provides faster color matching and accurate spot color output for brand identity, graphic elements and text.

Xerox's powerful new print server also expands compliance with PDF/X formats - an industry standard for exchanging PDF data - which allows documents to pass through prepress with fewer errors. Expanded workflow capabilities and an enhanced user interface make it easy to submit and handle jobs with minimal training. New security features and support for IPv6, the Internet infrastructure government standard, are also included in FreeFlow Print Server version 7.

FreeFlow Output Manager version 7

FreeFlow Output Manager now offers a "Send to Production" solution that integrates with Xerox multifunction printers through Xerox's Extensible Interface Platform™ (EIP) technology built into many of the company's multifunction devices. Send to Production allows users to scan hardcopy jobs and specify job ticketing options directly from the MFP and send to a centralized print center. The end user immediately receives a confirmation page, printed at the MFP, with thumbnails of the job.

The user-friendly interface and integration between Output Manager and the MFP helps bridge Xerox office devices with a production print shop environment. Organizations such as schools, universities, financial and healthcare institutions now can scan hardcopy forms, records and reports and automatically send them to a centralized print shop to take advantage of more sophisticated job specifications and finishing options. FreeFlow Output Manager examines print job attributes including color, page volume and finishing requirements and routes each job to the appropriate production printer automatically to maximize efficiency within the print shop without manual intervention.

FreeFlow Express to Print Now Available

FreeFlow Express to Print automates common prepress functions and reduces steps required to program print jobs such as business cards, brochures, postcards, books and manuals, opening new revenue opportunities by enabling more applications to be printed. The software is an ideal solution for smaller print shops or those just getting started in digital printing.

Featuring more than 50 templates, Express to Print's automation takes the guess work and manual labor out of job preparation by automating frequently repeated and time-consuming setups such as imposition and finishing with a simple click, drag and drop method. Tabs, covers, chapter starts and watermarks are also easily added by clicking and dragging to the desired location within a document. The screen will immediately show a graphic representation of each page within the job ensuring it is submitted and printed exactly as desired.

Copy Central, one of the largest independent quick print companies in the U.S., is using FreeFlow Express to Print to complete booklets, catalogs and manuals with less operator involvement. "The preparation of any project that requires imposition is time consuming and takes many steps. But with Express to Print's automation, a 10 -15 minute job can now be prepared in less than five minutes," said Jonathan Entler, store manager of Copy Central's Burbank, Calif. location.

FreeFlow Express to Print is being demonstrated in conjunction with the Xerox 700 Digital Color Press in the Xerox booth at Graph Expo, the printing industry's largest annual exhibition in North America, Oct. 26-29 in Chicago. FreeFlow Express to Print is also available for the Xerox 4112/4127 Copier/Printer, Xerox 4112/4127 Enterprise Printing Systems and DocuColor 242/252/260.

Enhancements to the entire collection of FreeFlow Digital Workflow products will also be on display at the show.

Pricing and availability

FreeFlow Print Server version 7 is available for order taking worldwide on select production printers on November 1. FreeFlow Output Manager version 7 is available worldwide on November 1 and Express to Print is available worldwide on November 1 for a list price of $4,000.

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