Joining the dots

Joining the dots

See the whole picture more clearly. Link togehter networking and workflow as Sophie Matthews-Paul explains.

It might seem obvious, but the importance of sensible networking and workflow options is still a bit of a black art to many companies, particularly some of the smaller ones who have ventured into wide-format digital printing without a solid back-bone of computer and colour experience. Yet making sure that all users and machines are singing from the same page needn't be complicated and should be a straight forward method of controlling jobs and applying consistency across all production areas. In pedantic terms, the word workflow can apply to a job sequence or, simply, the tracking of a document from one place to another. But it brings with it the ability to automate frequently repeated operations, enabling elements to be assessed and recorded, or processed into other types of organisational transactions and capabilities. As different people generate different skill sets within an organisation, they often develop varying methods of applying their abilities within the job function. Maintaining a kind of order, often sequenced, not only saves times and costs but also removes areas where information can be misinterpreted or where, quite simply, tasks can be sidelined or forgotten. Organising workflow isn't a new concept; even back in the days of building the pyramids there had to be a method of finetuning labour to enable an initial concept become reality and, even if now we're not involved in heaving giant lumps of stone around, we are all reponsible for keeping our businesses running efficiently and producing accurate results. The fact that we now have a selection of software options to assist us in every aspect should simplify our daily lives considerably.

Workflow involves networking and this simply means linking together different elements so that they can see each other either via a wired connection or, increasingly, via wireless options. In the old days, this often led to much messing around with cables, soldering irons and slow, unpredictable hubs producing variable transfer speeds. Furthermore, earlier wide format digital printing machines tended not to have an ethernet connection but, today, even low-end systems have this is as an option thus making it simple to run either a workgroup protocol or a client and server set-up. Additionally, there are share facilities open even to inexperienced computer users to allow their printers to be viewed and run across a network, even if they only use a USB interface. The growth in networking options has also aided workflow and enabled it to be possible for an administrator to keep control of all ongoing jobs, along with ERM, CRM and MIS - linking together all the elements which are involved in processing an order, from acceptance, pre-press and colour management, job progressing, stock control, delivery and invoicing. Different levels of access can be assigned to a company's operatives and even sales staff's activities can be included so that potential customers' details can be assessed and detailed prior to work coming in. This is a common-sense way of functioning which applies to businesses in all walks of life and, in our industry, benefits even the smallest display producer as well as larger organisations who need to keep an accurate track of everything going on within their walls. However, as well as handling and easing the burdens brought about by administrative tasks, of increasing importance in today's workflows is that they allow users to make sure that data handled and output on from different work-stations onto different printers carry consistent and accurate results. The move to PDF options brings with it the benefits of ensuring that incoming files are standardised and, together with a colour management workflow, these can be linked to other elements to ensure overall efficiency and streamlining of tasks. Colour in itself can be a minefield, particularly in wide-format digital printing; the larger the size and the greater complexity of the original data, the more time consuming and costly any reprints will be. With workstations and printers now connected in such a way that restrictions have been lifted in terms of having a dedicated computer and machine, a job can be created on one site and printed remotely. Modularity in both networking and workflows has led to mixed platforms becoming commonplace, with many users having a variety of different machine types in terms of inks and capabilities. Increasingly we're seeing environments where Windows-based computers work alongside Macintosh and Linux boxes, and all are capable of driving printers. But the question lies in making sure that the same, expected results in terms of colour and quality are produced consistently and that the end results can be quantified for administrative purposes. There are plenty of specialists who can sort out a user's workflow options, ensuring networking is optimised and calibration and profiling lead to consistent results every time. Companies, like EFI, are aware of all the issues related to handling colour securely, and Alexander Kattner, product manager, believes that simplification needn't be a black art. "There are many input devices in today's workflows, including scanners and digital cameras, and the quality of most differ not in the reproducible colour gamut but in the optical, electronic and mechanical properties of the components used," he states. "Problems are compounded by the confusion which still surrounds RGB and CMYK colour spaces and the deviation in colour gamut which can be produced." For purchasers of wide-format printers, it's essential to sort out colour and networking issues when the machine is installed - a little extra spent at investment time can bring rich rewards in getting it right, first time, every time. Stuart Cole of Graphic Printing Technologies says: "Networking is an integral part of the solutions we provide for our clients, to ensure we can optimise their printing capabilities and productivity. We carry out a full site survey to assess the physical and digital layout of the client's requirements and reconfigure the system to best suit their workflow, both mechanically and ergonomically."

CMYUK Digital's Robin East puts strong emphasis on ensuring that the most suitable workflows are adopted by the company's customers. "For example, you can have a selection of different print devices, all supposedly using the same ICC profiles, but the results can come out differently," he explains. "One of our strengths to ensure effective networking includes applying the right calibration algorithms and linearisation for consistent, colour accurate output. Because we're full conversant with all the different criteria which need to be applied to a company's workflow, we also work in a consultancy capacity where we can be called on to solve problems and ensure smooth transitions from one printer to another and to ensure consistency throughout." But there are other options now coming to market which bring with them additional convenience and savings. One example comes from GMG, well known for its ColorProof colour management software system, which now offers its InkOptimizer that automatically reduces chromatic colours, cutting down on unnecessary ink usage. This preserves the integrity of the black channel whilst enabling the quantity of cyan, magenta and yellow to be reduced with a stable grey balance achieving consistent colour behaviour. At one time networking, workflow and colour functions seemed poles apart when, in truth, they can all be linked to other activities which help businesses keep their daily functions running smoothly. It's almost like ensuring every department, whether creative, productive or administrative, knows about each other. This can be to the extent that orders coming in can be linked to available operatives and printing machines, the amount of material and ink needed and whether the RIP has got the information it needs prior to the file being output. Once deemed to be the province of larger companies, this is no longer the case and efficient workflow is just as vital to a small enterprise running a server, a couple of workstations and a couple of printers. The other beauty is that the contention between platforms has now disappeared; mixed networks are commonplace and production and administrative practices can be consistently applied to all departments and remote workers, too.