The Essex-based web printer, which was the first UK firm to commit to the software, began using it internally last week after an extensive testing period.

Details of the first publisher to use the software have yet to be disclosed by the firm, but there is a client in the frame.

It follows the upgrade of the software to Delano 1.1 and its switch to the latest version of Apogee X in its pre-press department, which allows the two packages to communicate together using JDF.

Heron had been waiting for the latest versions of the software to be released and for Agfa's engineers to get their Drupa duties out of the way before making the move.

Heron's technical director, PDF workflow pioneer Dave Brown, said: It's like where we were with PDF five years ago. Everyone's a little bit apprehensive."

Story by Barney Cox