Its Mid West division showroom in Tamworth can demonstrate the complete Prinect suite of products, and will soon be joined by its headquarters in Brentford.

Weve had massive interest since we put it in Tamworth, said Lance OConnell, marketing manager pre-press and Prinect. Now theyve seen integration its really starting to push printers buttons.

Although an advocate of JDF and open interfaces, Heidelberg has completed the integration of products from MIS to finishing under the Prinect brand without becoming completely JDF-based. It will have completed its move to JDF by Drupa, but in the meantime is running in a mixed environment of JDF-compliant interfaces mostly in pre-press and proprietary interfaces. The reality is the customer doesnt see it [JDF], said OConnell.

Having its own MIS, Prinance, has made it simpler for Heidelberg to show integration.

A handful of customers are well on their way to completing the integration of their factories using Prinect. The most advanced users are Leeds-based Duffield and Bristols TL Visuals, closely followed by Readings Maurice Payne.

Story by Barney Cox