Low-cost system brings automated preflighting to the masses

The software distributor has launched the Atomyx solution in Australia, the second country to get access to the tool after Germany.

Atomyx aims to streamline PDF submission with built-in quality control and correction, as well as gathering required job information and providing immediate client feedback.

A client submits a file to the printer via the Atomyx website portal, where it is preflighted and common issues, such as missing marks and bleeds, are automatically resolved.

The client can then view and download a low-res PDF to check content is accurate, before approving the file.

Atomyx is positioned between expensive high-end systems like Enfocus Switch and ad-hoc delivery processes, such as email or FTP.

It is built on an open source content management system, Drupal, which means users with in-house IT skills can customise the system themselves, said Colour Process managing director Yves Roussange.

For instance, they “could customise the interface or put more services behind it”, such as a shopping basket, he added.

Roussange said Atomyx would help users avoid costly mistakes.

“When there are errors, like if the font is different, this costs them money – they need to pay the click charge twice.

“If they normalise the PDF with Atomyx, they get a streamlined and structured delivery process with the clients, and will save a lot of money when they print because they are printing what the client has approved.”

Roussange was hopeful the system would be a winner in Australia thanks to its entry-level price point and the ability to pay a quarterly subscription.

He told ProPrint he had fought to change the payment model to make it more appealing to Australian users.

“In Europe, they want to own it outright. I am listening to the Australian market, where people don’t want to commit in this economic situation. If they don’t want it after a year, they can stop paying it – problem solved,” said Roussange.

Printers can pay a one-off set-up cost of $5,800 plus GST, which includes the software installation as well as a Mac Mini to run the system

Another major selling point of Atomyx is the fact it is installed locally at the printer’s premises, avoiding delays due to slow bandwidth.

Roussange was critical of the current buzz around cloud systems because of the slow bandwidth in Australia and high cost of internet plans.

He added that unlike other countries with faster broadband, “we don’t have the freeway or Autobahn”.

“Compared with Europe, we are way behind. The problem today with a lot of technology like preflighting is that everything is on an external server, in the US or Europe or Singapore.

“So with file delivery, the client uploads to the server for preflighting and if there is an error, they need to upload again, then the printer needs to download again. It is in the pipe twice,” added Roussange.

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