CIP4 standing for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress said the programme would provide information to vendors installing JDF as well as guidance for technical staff at graphic arts companies.

Chief executive Martin Bailey said the programme would see each module taught by a CIP4 volunteer via a webinar programme, with each class lasting roughly between one and a half to two hours.

The course will consist of 12 modules, the first of which will commence in January 2004, with the plan to hold two per month thereafter.

The International Prepress Association (IPA) will administer certification and testing based on the 12 modules. A pricing structure for the course programme is in the final stages of administration.

As part of the education programme, CIP4 will also launch a JDF Marketplace publication every quarter, with the first edition out before the end of this year.

It will be published as a PDF file, and will act as a resource for companies looking at JDF products and services.

Available online, the publication will also be distributed via the mailing lists of the IPA.

Four firms have recently joined CIP4 Software 2000 from the UK, EAE software of Germany, US-based RealTimeImage, and VeePee of France.

8PrintWeek readers can attend the whole course with access to live and recorded sessions for $1,695, $200 less than the full price. Access to all the live or all the recorded sessions costs $1,370, $200 less than full price. For readers interested in individual sessions they cost $145, $20 less than full price.

For further information on the course visit: www.ipa.org/jdf

To book with the PrintWeek discount visit: www.ipa.


Story by Andy Scott