Imation hopes to start selling its MatchFlow digital workflow concept at the Technologies For Printing (TPG) exhibition in Paris this month.


The system is "95% ready", according to head of European PR Christian Zins, and the first live demonstrations will take place at TPG.


MatchFlow encompasses RIP technology, media asset management, colour proofing, data management and storage, and data distribution via the internet.


"The idea is to take advantage of our pre-press knowledge by putting everything together, and enhance our offering with sections we didnt have in our portfolio," said Zins.


The firm has established partnerships in areas where it didnt previously have expertise, including a link-up with Siemens for data transmission.


The system incorporates Verify colour matching browser-based software, which end-users can download to ensure colour accuracy of items ordered over the internet.
The firm started developing MatchFlow at the end of last year.


"We saw a business opportunity," said Zins. "We found that people had our systems, but very often they had another task to solve. In most cases we knew about colour management but didnt offer other services."


Imation will occupy stand 5K21 at Technologies For Printing, which will be held from 14-19 May in Paris.


Story by Gordon Carson