Kodak Looks to Ease Project Collaboration

Eastman Kodak is adding features to version 3.0 of its Insite Creative Workflow System designed to speed creation and proofing of graphic-rich content such as ads, brochures, logos and artwork.

“The files involved are often too big to e-mail,” said Pat Lord, product manager of Kodak Portal Products. “Without a workflow system like this, you would have to e-mail just comments, or physically messenger hard copy or media.”

Kodaks Insite Creative Workflow System is a project-based work space for collaboration and content creation, intended for use by creative professionals and print providers, such as advertising and marketing and print service providers, who can use it for their own projects, or host it on behalf of their customers

PointerRicoh introduces wide-format printers for CAD and technical renderings.Click hereto read more.

The new features in version 3.0, announced Aug. 3, can help reduce overall project time by enabling faster turnaround times, reduce project costs for communication and proofing, simplify the approval process and help companies deal with customers who are not nearby, according to officials with Kodak, in Rochester, N.Y.

Specific new features in Version 3.0 include:

• Shared access to project files
• E-mail notification and to-do lists
• Online proofing client that supports pixel-streaming, collaboration, annotations and color-accurate viewing
• Task-based workflows for review and approval based on each users workflow
• Flexible user rights, and secure and flexible access to projects and project files
• Kodak Matchprint Virtual Technology option, extending color process control throughout the project.
• Viewing two pages side-by-side, plus a third “differences,” in Compare.

The Insite Creative Workflow System server runs on Windows Server 2000 and above; client software runs on both Windows and Macs.

The Creative Workflow System includes Kodaks Smart Review System, which provides various tools for collaborative reviewing and proofing of elements, and is part of Kodaks Insite product suite. The Creative Workflow System can be used independently as a single-portal solution, or with other Insite modules such as Kodaks Web-based Insite Prepress Portal System, which automates and simplifies production workflow, and Kodaks Insite Asset Library.

Version 3.0 is available now. Pricing depends on the size of implementation and the number of modules involved.

Daniel P. Dern is an independent technology writer.

/zimages/2/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms for the latest printer news, reviews and analysis.