Signs of the Times - November 2013 - (Page 38)

TECHNOLOGY REVIEW By Chris and Kathi Morrison Chris and Kathi Morrison own and operate The Image Specialists, a full-service graphics company based in Clements, CA. Chris is also a Microsoft-certified systems engineer. Caldera’s Flow+ 2.0 workflow software and Version 9.20 RIP Or, how to streamline printmakers’ workdays Caldera, a 20-year-olditsimaging software company, with recently released Flow+ 2.0 workflow software, has once again packed new and useful devices and enhancements into printmakers’ tool kits. The widereaching company has addressed key printmaking areas in the Flow+ 2.0 enhancements – the package comprises a new design and graphic interface, real-time statistics and a production-planning module. A print-operations dashboard helps you manage and monitor all work stages and, Caldera says, its new interface streamlines daily tasks by allowing production managers to prioritize jobs or transfer work to other printers. The real-time statistics engine provides a snapshot of your current production load. Further, it generates charts that help you monitor individual jobs and, at a glance, assess the overall workload. The production-planning module Key Information Caldera 1 rue des Frères Lumière - BP 78002 - Parc d’Activités d’Eckbolsheim 67038 Strasbourg Cedex - France +33 (0) 3 88 21 00 00 www.caldera.com Contact: Sebastien Hanssens, vice president marketing and communication +33 (0) 6 777 25 833 sebastien.hanssens@caldera.com also features output-optimizing tools, and works in tandem with the statistics engine, to help you maximize equipment (and resource) efficiency. In addition, Flow+ 2.0 features an advanced quotation system that provides an immediate calculation of each job’s profits, plus it allows you to monitor and control materials, media costs and other specifics. Even Specifications: Caldera’s Flow+ 2.0 workflow software and Version 9.20 RIP Mac Conﬁguration Linux OS Conﬁguration Mac mini, iMac or Mac Pro (recommended) running OS 10.5+ Kubuntu 8.04 or Caldera Debian 1.1 (recommended) 2GB or more Minimum 512 MB per core, recommended 1GB per core. 2GB or 4GB (recommended) Minimum 512 MB per core, recommended 1GB per core. Hard Drive 250GB 250GB Processor Intel-based Dual Core 2Ghz. for Caldera Debian 64-bit compliant 1280 x 1024 minimum resolution 1280 x 1024 minimum resolution Hardware RAM Monitor/Videocard 38 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / NOVEMBER 2013 / www.signweb.com better, it can generate reports that indicate where gains could be made. Version 9.20 RIP Caldera has also released its latest Version 9.20 RIP software, with updates that include advanced preflight and color-management enhancements, true-shape nesting and a new image-bar interface for quick document access. As with previous versions, Flow+ 2.0 is compatible with Caldera’s 9.20 RIP, but also works with most third-party RIPs. The RIP’s new preflight option allows you to check for compatibility against numerous standards and rules, e.g., image resolution, fonts and ICC profiles. It gives you a red- or greenlight report before printing which, truly, will save time and money. You can assign the preflight check to one or all jobs. Color-management is a key component in any RIP solution, and Caldera took it to heart with its cloud-based, ICC color-profile library that uses the software’s EasyMedia standard. To minimize media use when nesting images, Caldera’s True Shape Nesting system follows the actual contours of the image, instead of a boundary box. And, an Image Bar feature gives you an instant visual or a keyword, which handily reduces time spent searching for a specific file or image. As the next wave of wide- and ultra-wide-format digital printers arrives, Caldera will be a driving force. It has set the pace for software workflow solutions – quoting to printing – and minimized the unavoidable bottlenecks along the way. Coupled with its RIP software, Flow+ 2.0 gives total control over every job-related task. Like us, we think you’ll be impressed with these new changes and enhancements. ■ http://www.caldera.com http://www.signweb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - November 2013

Signs of the Times - November 2013
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Commercial
Lighting Techniques
The Moving Message
Technology Review - Caldera Flow+ 2.0 software and its Version 9.20 RIP
Technology Review - KeyedIn™ Sign Edition software
New Products
Design Matters
Enter the ST Intl. Sign Contest!
Deep Thoughts
Temporary Vanity
LEDs: The Omnipresent Illuminators
Accessible Training
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking

Signs of the Times - November 2013