The recently formed European subsidiary of North American company, Hybrid Software, has gained a leading industry figure following the appointment of Christopher Graf, Dalim Software's former chief commercial officer and managing director. In his new role as managing director of Hybrid Software GmbH, which he started on September 16th, Mr Graf will spearhead Hybrid Software's expansion into Germany, Switzerland and Austria from the company's offices in Freiburg, Southern Germany.
"The formation by Hybrid Software of a European subsidiary and the creation of its Order Lifecycle Management integration concept are some of the most exciting developments to be seen in the graphic arts industry for years," says Mr Graf. "This launch into Europe is perfectly timed because Order Lifecycle Management meets exactly the need for printers and pre media service providers to improve significantly the efficiency and profitability of their existing facilities. Order Lifecycle Management allows this to be achieved quickly and for a very low investment.
"Hybrid Software's unique approach to the problem of integration puts it ahead of any other company operating in this field. In more than 20 years of working for key pre-press suppliers, I've not come across anything like Order Lifecycle Management and we expect the concept to create a high level of interest during September at Proflex 2011 in Stuttgart, Germany, and LabelExpo Europe in Brussels, at which events we will have a stand."
Order Lifecycle Management has been designed to enable printers and premedia service providers to integrate hardware, software and workflows that have been purchased at different times from various sources. There are three main products - FrontDesk, FaceLift and FileForce. FrontDesk is a web-to-print portal that provides customers with powerful file upload and download facilities plus comprehensive job interaction, from on-line ordering through all stages of tracking, proofing and approvals to delivery of the completed work.
FaceLift enables seamless integration between production workflows, MIS/ERP systems, third-party websites, external databases and other sources of digitally held information. It allows total transparency of what is happening to the job, while users can create their own templates to encompass every stage of the order's lifecycle, regardless of the printing process or product being produced.
FaceLift provides a powerful toolset for JDF integration between production workflows, which require specialised parameters, and MIS systems, which typically have highly generic pre-press instructions. FaceLift can act as an intermediary tool to seamlessly map data between these systems without the need for custom programming.
FileForce connects multiple production or printing sites within an enterprise environment, enabling efficient load balancing and file sharing between sites. FileForce does not require a centralized file server or DAM system, but instead works in conjunction with file servers at each location. Files can be moved, copied, harvested, scrapped, archived and tracked precisely across multiple sites as revisions occur.
"Order Lifecycle Management can be utilised by printers operating in a wide variety of sectors, from commercial and packaging to labels, digital, inkjet, sign and screen,' says Christopher Graf. "As long as systems use standard database platforms they can be integrated. Hybrid is already working closely with MIS vendors such as EFI, Solarsoft, CRC, EPMS and others, as well as content management companies such as ADAM. We expect to make some major partner announcements before the end of the year."
"The formation by Hybrid Software of a European subsidiary and the creation of its Order Lifecycle Management integration concept are some of the most exciting developments to be seen in the graphic arts industry for years," says Mr Graf. "This launch into Europe is perfectly timed because Order Lifecycle Management meets exactly the need for printers and pre media service providers to improve significantly the efficiency and profitability of their existing facilities. Order Lifecycle Management allows this to be achieved quickly and for a very low investment.
"Hybrid Software's unique approach to the problem of integration puts it ahead of any other company operating in this field. In more than 20 years of working for key pre-press suppliers, I've not come across anything like Order Lifecycle Management and we expect the concept to create a high level of interest during September at Proflex 2011 in Stuttgart, Germany, and LabelExpo Europe in Brussels, at which events we will have a stand."
Order Lifecycle Management has been designed to enable printers and premedia service providers to integrate hardware, software and workflows that have been purchased at different times from various sources. There are three main products - FrontDesk, FaceLift and FileForce. FrontDesk is a web-to-print portal that provides customers with powerful file upload and download facilities plus comprehensive job interaction, from on-line ordering through all stages of tracking, proofing and approvals to delivery of the completed work.
FaceLift enables seamless integration between production workflows, MIS/ERP systems, third-party websites, external databases and other sources of digitally held information. It allows total transparency of what is happening to the job, while users can create their own templates to encompass every stage of the order's lifecycle, regardless of the printing process or product being produced.
FaceLift provides a powerful toolset for JDF integration between production workflows, which require specialised parameters, and MIS systems, which typically have highly generic pre-press instructions. FaceLift can act as an intermediary tool to seamlessly map data between these systems without the need for custom programming.
FileForce connects multiple production or printing sites within an enterprise environment, enabling efficient load balancing and file sharing between sites. FileForce does not require a centralized file server or DAM system, but instead works in conjunction with file servers at each location. Files can be moved, copied, harvested, scrapped, archived and tracked precisely across multiple sites as revisions occur.
"Order Lifecycle Management can be utilised by printers operating in a wide variety of sectors, from commercial and packaging to labels, digital, inkjet, sign and screen,' says Christopher Graf. "As long as systems use standard database platforms they can be integrated. Hybrid is already working closely with MIS vendors such as EFI, Solarsoft, CRC, EPMS and others, as well as content management companies such as ADAM. We expect to make some major partner announcements before the end of the year."
