CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
11 May 2005
Product News
Xerox's Newest Workflow Software Helps Print Providers Find the Best Way to Get the Job Done; FreeFlow Output Manager Acts as an "Air-TraffiC controller'' to Direct Print Jobs
Xerox Corporation has expanded its industry-leading FreeFlowT Digital Workflow Collection with the new FreeFlow Output Manager, a software tool that allows production print providers to manage the flow of print jobs to the most appropriate networked printer, creating a more cost-effective print operation.
Output Manager extends the capabilities of the FreeFlow Collection-which is made up of software and hardware that streamlines the digital printing process from creation to final output and fulfillment-by providing more control over when and how a job is printed.
The software ensures that a print operation's entire digital fleet of systems works as one. FreeFlow Output Manager acts as an "air-traffic controller" and provides a single point of control for directing print jobs to both Xerox and non-Xerox networked printers. Previously, print shop operators would have to manually queue, or line up, jobs for production on the next available digital device.
"In the time that we have tested Output Manager, we have experienced marked improvement in job throughput," said Tom McCartney, manager, EDS Print Operations, an in-house print operation serving EDS in Dallas. "The product will allow us to take on more print jobs and turn them around faster -- and that's good for our customers."
FreeFlow Output Manager is unique to the industry because it comes with a scripting feature that allows it to work with software from other vendors. Because it supports open industry standards, Output Manager can be integrated with a print shop's existing workflow processes so that print providers can leverage their current investments.
"Xerox is a clear leader in digital workflow for production printing. The FreeFlow Digital Workflow Collection is evidence of the company's history and expertise in this market," said Charlie Corr, group director, InfoTrends/CAP Ventures, a global document technology strategy and consulting firm. "FreeFlow is one of the most comprehensive sets of offerings that help customers reduce production costs and improve efficiency by streamlining workflow—a key strategy that drives profitable business for printers."
Output Manager brings several advantages to print providers:
• Enables cost-effective production of jobs. When jobs contain mostly black-and-white pages with a minimal number of color pages, Output Manager can send the color pages to a full-color printer and the rest to a black-and-white printer to help keep costs down.
• Makes work easier for operators by setting up parameters for print jobs based on their characteristics. For instance, if a job needs to be printed in color on a certain paper stock, the software automatically knows to send it to the color printer filled with the appropriate paper.
• Provides a convenient operator interface. Through standard Web browsers, operators can select when, where and on what equipment a job is produced, regardless of location.
Output Manager works with digital systems that support LPR and IPP-print protocols common to most production printers. Joining FreeFlow Process Manager and Makeready, FreeFlow Output Manager also supports Xerox monochrome wide-format printing systems and delivers the many benefits of FreeFlow digital workflow to wide-format print operations.
Pricing and Availability
FreeFlow Output Manager has a U.S. list price of $20,000 and is immediately available worldwide through the Xerox direct sales force, agents and concessionaires. It will be on display in Xerox booth No. 1601 at the AIIM/On Demand Conference and Exposition, an industry trade show held May 17-19 in Philadelphia.
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