Agfa has launched what it claims is the worlds first web-based print project management system.

Delano, which was developed with Belgian firm ImageBuilder and Quebecor World, is designed to provide a shared space to allow a print job to be tracked and managed from creation to finishing.


It is aimed at digitizing the operations carried out by customer service representatives, which Agfa worldwide director image processing John Harrison described as the cornerstone of the business.

There is a need to link individual workflows in the process, said Harrison. Everyone has a workflow, problem is there isnt a universal one. If you look for the ultimate you will fail.


Delano is designed to link into production workflow systems like Agfa Apogee, Heidelberg Prinergy and CreoScitex Brisque as well as MIS systems to track the status of jobs.


Agfa originally looked at adding web-based job tracking tools into Apogee but was met with horror from users at the prospect of customers following a jobs progress at every stage. Its like when I get my car serviced, said Harrison. I drop it off and expect to pick it up at the agreed time I dont care about when it gets done as long as its done.


We went to look for a piece of software for project management, said Quebecor World director, technical solutions Jean-Francois Cuillerier. Agfa had many of the pieces already and was willing to get involved. Agfa was keen to work with Quebocor World, which is rolling out beta versions of Delano across its sites to get feedback on the definition of the software.


Due to ship in the Autumn, Agfa is working on how it will sell Delano and is considering selling it as a software package or as an online service.


Story by Barney Cox.