JDF – An Overview

JDF Technology on One Slide JDF is a Graphic Arts Job Ticket Data Interchange Format Specification - JDF is not an Application or System JDF is encoded in XML Content is referenced, not embedded JDF is extensible JDF Job Definition + JMF Messaging +JDF Capabilities + ICS Documents define the JDF Framework

JDF on Another Slide - Goals and Requirements - Why JDF? Automation increases Efficiency Information allows for informed decisions We have a digital content workflow with a paper based management workflow – there is room for improvement! What does JDF enable? Setup a Job in the graphic arts from the view point of: Technical Applications Management Information Systems Customers Collect data that is relevant to a Job from origination to delivery Business Data Technical Data

History of JDF 1999: Adobe, Agfa, MAN and Heidelberg form the GAT initiative with the goal of defining a job ticket for the Graphic Arts that also integrates MIS. 2000: The CIP3 Consortium takes ownership of the standard. 2001: JDF 1.0 is released. 2002: JDF 1.1 is released. Ambiguities/Bugs found in implementation were removed Additional Processes were added Consistency between diverse areas was enhanced 2004: JDF 1.2 is released More additional processes Even more mature and consistent 2005: First set of ICS documents are published JDF 1.3 will be released

JDF in the workflow Postpress & Delivery

The JDF Node Description of a generic Process The “Verb” in JDF Do something at a given time Structured container for Scheduling and Auditing One JDF node type for both Products and Processes Input (Resources) Output (Resources) JDF Node Start End Time Scheduling Auditing

PrintTalk – www.printtalk.org JDF describes the product to be produced PrintTalk describes the business context of the product Request For Quote Quotation Purchase Order Invoice Change Order … PrintTalk also contains Pricing Information

Product Intent vs. Process Modeling Goal of Product Intent Description Customers view of the “thing” they want to manufacture Contract Negotiation Process Independent Cover End Sheets Reader Pages Book Contents

Product Intent vs. Process Modeling Goal of Process Modeling Interface between MIS and Production Process interdependencies Manufacturing Instruction Details

Gray Boxes Incomplete Model of a Process The MIS View of the process It’s only important if it affects the cost! Thus, parameters not affecting costs are not important Exact Process execution is potentially undefined Ordering of steps is not necessarily predefined Detailed Work Steps may be left out E.g. MIS knows RIPping, but not Trapping or ColorSpaceConversion

Audit Objects in the JDF Ticket Logging of Job Execution Actual times Start time End time Phases Logging of Late Changes Resources (used 85g Paper instead of 80g) Consumables Status Summary Event Log

Semi Real-time data interchange format Small XML structures JMF Messaging Semi Real-time data interchange format Small XML structures JDF is referenced via URL, not bound into message Idea is to minimize network traffic and delay transmission of data until it is actually needed Send potentially interesting information as soon as it is available

Generally used within an Intranet JMF Messaging Used for: Plug + Play bootstrapping (Future) Snapshots of Job / Device status Dynamic job update (Change Orders) Job submission and Queue/QueueEntry handling Generally used within an Intranet

JDF in Creative Specify the Context of a Page Specify Product Details Postpress Delivery & JDF in Creative Specify the Context of a Page Is it a Cover? Page 3 of this PDF is Page 17 of the Book Specify Product Details Media to use Binding Options Color Options Track Times spent on Creative Work Specify Deadlines

JDF in Asset Transfer Link incoming Content Files to user Jobs Postpress Delivery & JDF in Asset Transfer Link incoming Content Files to user Jobs Also useful for Advertisements Page 3 of this PDF is Page 17 of the Book Retain Preflight Information Preflight Profiles Preflight Reports

JDF in Prepress Track Milestones of a job Specify Colors to use Postpress Delivery & JDF in Prepress Track Milestones of a job All pages approved All plates are ready … Specify Colors to use Specify Deadlines

JDF in Press Track Milestones of a job Specify Colors to use Postpress Delivery & JDF in Press Track Milestones of a job All Sheets Printed Specify Colors to use Specify Media Printer Supplied or Publisher Supplied Specify Amounts Waste Overage Specify Deadlines

JDF in Postpress Track Milestones of a job Specify Amounts Delivery & JDF in Postpress Track Milestones of a job Signatures have been folded Binding Completed Specify Amounts Waste Overage Specify Packing Pallets Cartons Boxes … Specify Deadlines

JDF in Delivery Track Milestones of a job Specify Amounts Postpress Delivery & JDF in Delivery Track Milestones of a job Products have been Delivered Specify Amounts Multiple “Drops” with multiple “Drop Items” Individual tracking of Deliveries Specify Deadlines

JDF – A Technical Overview Thank you very much for your attention!