CIP4 recently announced "Interoperability Conformance Specifications". This may sound not very interesting, but actually provides a basis for most print operations to be linked up and for print buyers to assess how far JDF is possible in particular situations.

So far the discussion on server PDF software for the enterprise seems to have been fairly separated from previous discussion in pre-press. Now the CIP4 spec allows print to be one example of how PDF can be used for data. Acrobat 7 supports a form as an email attachment so this could be a way things can start.

In a recent Printweek round table (17 Feb, p26 ) , Alan Wright from Magnet Harlequin stated that brand asset management was more significant for turnover than print. As PDF stores images as data, there will be a flow back towards creatives.

Earlier meetings have looked at quality systems and existing PDF workflows. I think one aim for the meeting should be to look at how things fit together. Acrobat is now so versatile that some users form different communities. The CIP4 resources are a good opportunity to form some links.

Will Pollard

Previously

Jon Bessant on Acrobat 6 and print workflows

Will Pollard on Quality Systems and Intelligent Documents