CROSS MEDIA WORKFLOW PLATFORM
COMPREHENSIVE ADOBE PDF PRINT ENGINE (APPE) BASED SYSTEM

CROSS MEDIA WORKFLOW PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND

Beginning in 1934 as Japan’s pioneering photographic film maker, Fujifilm has leveraged its imaging and information technology to become a global presence known for innovation in healthcare, graphic arts, optical devices, highly functional materials and other high-tech areas. In a world full of printing system suppliers, Fujifilm is unrivalled in its ability to create a rich lineup of products from within its own group. In addition to this diversity, Fujifilm products also feature industry leading quality and performance.

WHO - INNOVATIVE IMAGINING SOLUTIONS MANUFACTURER
Award-winning manufacturer of piezoelectric drop-on-demand industrial inkjet print heads.
REACH - TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYED GLOBALLY
Client technology used in a wide range of manufacturing applications
NEED - BRING NEW WORKFLOW SOFTWARE TO MARKET
Wanted a partner capable of developing complete digital print systems.

MARKET OPPORTUNITY
Fujifilm had identified the influencing factor in global CTP, processor and plate business was workflow. They saw an opportunity to replace their existing Postscript workflow with a comprehensive workflow platform for managing integrated ‘cross media’ production

MARKET KNOWLEDGE
MARKETING EXPERIENCE
PROVEN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT EXPERTISE
MANUFACTURER OF INDUSTRIAL GRADE SOLUTIONS

WHY FFEI

Fujifilm and FFEI (Formerly Fujifilm Electronic Imaging) had a long-standing partnership. FFEI had been a core research and development resource for many of Fujifilm’s leading graphic arts products. This included products from FFEI’s Crosfield legacy such as the Celsis drum scanner to Lanovia and Finescan professional flatbed scanners, Colorkit software, Celebrant Extreme workflow and Colorkit profiling suite.

THE SOLUTION
FFEI in partnership with Fujifilm developed Fujifilm XMF, which was launched as a technology showing at IPEX in 2005. The revolutionary XMF (Cross media workflow) was created based around an entirely JDF rules based architecture driving the new Adobe PDF Print Engine.

Phase 1 – design

Product specification developed to meet customer needs

FFEI implemented the Partner Engagement Program (PEP) – a working focus group of Fujifilm distributors across Europe – to assist the development of the workflow product specification. Prospective end users were also engaged throughout this time for concept testing and to aid market acceptance.

Phase 2 – product development

FFEI resourced and scaled its internal capability to 30 software developers

Following FFEI’s ‘V’ model development framework and ‘stage gate’ process, the first alpha model was made available for market testing in just a few months. Working closely with the client and market users, detailed feedback was prepared and incorporated into a full development road map.

Phase 3 – productisation

Product manufactured, with training and support provided

With a technology showing at IPEX and Worldwide role out at Drupa 2 years later development overhead was vast. As a result FFEI resourced and scaled its internal capability to 30 software developers and a secondary architectural software team based in Tokyo.

Looking to invest in cross media workflow technology?

Contact us today to book a consultation – we would be happy to answer any questions you have.