April 29, 1996
Scitex, Adobe, Apple form printing alliance as On Demand opens in New York
In the belief that the demand-printing application is a key to the future of publishing, Scitex, Adobe Systems and Apple Computer have formed an alliance to help build a market for short-run demand printing and to help their customers make money in this market. The alliance, called the Print on Demand Initiative (PODI), will take advantage of Adobe's applications and Internet expertise, Apple's platforms and operating system, and Scitex's imaging and workflow technologies. A central figure in the project will be Scitex's Spontane digital printing system.As a first step in the project, Scitex demonstrated five print-on-demand applications in its booth at the On Demand show in New York, where PODI was announced. The five application areas are catalog publishing, specialty printing, Internet printing, direct marketing and technical publishing. Two of them -- direct marketing and catalog publishing -- involve printing variable data with the Spontane.
Although the variable-data capability wasn't demonstrated at On Demand and hasn't been given a target delivery date, Scitex described it as being a much more reasonably priced option than the similar capabilities being offered by competitors. PODI, which the alliance feels will be part of a new revolution in printing that is reminiscent of the desktop publishing revolution of ten years ago, will involve educational efforts in the market, assistance in developing markets for this application, production of Web sites and other projects.
We'll have more information about this effort and the entire print-on-demand market in a full report from On Demand in our next issue. Meanwhile, here are some other highlights.
Xerox adds Colorbus RIP
At Cebit, where Xerox introduced its DocuColor system based on the same engine as the Scitex Spontane, two controllers were announced to drive the engine: Scitex's own front end for the Spontane and another one from EFI. At On Demand, Xerox added a third: the Colorbus controller running on Silicon Graphics servers.QMS offers new RIP structure
QMS announced an extension of its UltraScript PostScript processor aimed at high-performance printing applications. Called Ultra Technology, it is optimized for Windows NT and its symmetric multiprocessing capability. QMS said it combines its multi-threaded operation with NT's scalability to make a product suited to large and small applications.In much the same way as some other new RIP architectures, it separates building the display list and rasterizing the data, which enables other processes to be incorporated in the RIP. As part of this capability, Ultra allows individual objects within the display list to be accessed for processing at this stage.
One of Ultra Technology's early applications will be driving high-speed monochrome printers such as the Xerox DocuTech and the 400-ppm Siemens unit. Later, it also will address high-resolution color publishing. QMS gave no details of those plans. QMS is seeking OEM customers interested in licensing Ultra Technology.
Printer uses Canon engine. QMS also introduced two new products. First, it has incorporated the 24-ppm Canon engine used in the HP LaserJet 5si into its QMS 2425 Print System. QMS provides several advantages over the HP version: its CrownImage network connectivity, electronic collation, an optional stapler and a 5,000-sheet optional input tray.
The 8-MB version will cost $5,499 with no hard disk; with 24 MB and a 500-MB hard disk for fonts and spooling, it is priced at $6,999. A scanner option for $1,499 turns either one into a copier.
Booklet maker. The second new QMS product is a booklet maker for its 3825 Print System-a 38-ppm, 11"x17" monochrome printer with optional duplex capability. Developed by the German firm Nagel and shown at Cebit, the booklet maker folds, staples and trims booklets. No pricing information was disclosed.
Océ shows Siemens line
Océ Printing Systems (the newly acquired former Siemens Printing Systems, making its first appearance since being acquired) introduced its DemandStream series of printers. The printers are not really a distinct product line; rather, they are members of the existing PageStream line equipped with the options that are appropriate to on-demand applications. These options are a server-based PostScript RIP, a scalable raster architecture input processor, and 600-dpi resolution.The DemandStream Models shown were "technology demonstrations" without firm delivery dates or prices. They will become available as soon as Océ introduces a 600-dpi option for the machines, which are currently 240- and 300-dpi. No date has been set for the 600-dpi capability.
Minolta scans thick books
One of the more interesting innovations at the show, although it isn't yet configured specifically for conventional electronic publishing, was an $18,000 book scanner and workstation from Minolta. It scans books up to 4" thick.The scan head is suspended over the platen, upon which the book is placed, facing upward. The scanner senses which side of the book is heavier and lowers that side of the platen, leveling out the pages for easier scanning. Even with that adjustment, though, the pages are likely still to curve, so the scanner base includes a mirror that "reads" the curvature, produces an algorithm for correcting the distortion, and scans the job as if it were flat.
Other nice features include a scan time of 2.5-3 sec. per image, an optional touch screen for inputting commands (for people who don't like the Windows mouse and menus), a copy function that sends the scan directly to a printer, special start buttons for use when the operator's hands are occupied holding the book, and an algorithm that avoids scanning the user's thumbs if they are holding the book! Initial applications include libraries and law firms, where quick copies from thick books are a common requirement.
© Copyright 1997 Seybold Seminars; Last modified 4/10/97 at 12:28:31 PM.