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drupa2016 - In Medias Res ValuePublishing REVIEW 2.001

Die drupa ist stets ein Ort der Top-Gespräche und einzigartigen Momente, wie mit Didier Gombert (großes Foto am Stand von Objectif Lune). Foto/Collage: Andreas Weber

 

Kritische und bewusst streng gehaltene, selektive Analyse von Andreas Weber, Head of Value, im Rückblick auf die famose #drupa2016 — Lesezeit: 10 Minuten. Halbwertzeit min. bis zur #drupa2020 — Die Themengliederung aller drei Berichte im Überblick:


Fazit Teil 1

Kommunikation über Print ist wahrhaft eine Kunst. Wer sich auch nach der #drupa2016 über Print adäquat informieren will, muss maximale Online-/Twitter-Kompetenz besitzen. Sonst landet man im Nirwana des Lost in details“-Syndroms und holt aus seinem hohen Messe-Investment viel zu wenig raus! — Übrigens ist es anders als über Twitter/Posten kaum möglich, in Echtzeit das Wichtigste auf den Punkt zu bringen und multimedial durch Text, Foto, Video in einer digitalen und globalen Welt erlebbar zu machen! Dies gelingt vor allem durch ValueStorifys. Siehe: #drupa2016 review — All about the role of print in the communications mix sowie #drupa mc — print re-invented!


 

Frage: Ist es möglich, das Angebot einer drupa als globale Leitmesse komplett zu erfassen?
Antwort: Nein! Das ist auch gar nicht nötig. Das beste Prinzip lautet: Reduktion auf das maximal Wichtige. Daher nachfolgend eine analytisch-subjektive Selektion dessen, was aus ValuePublishing-Sicht relevant war!


Vorspiel: Wo bleibt der Bezug zu dem, was die Printbranche voranbringt?

„Rund 260.000 Besucher (2012: 314.248 Besucher) aus 188 Ländern und rund 1.900 Journalisten aus 74 Ländern sind nach Düsseldorf gereist, um sich über technologische Innovationen, Weiterentwicklungen und neue Geschäftsfelder zu informieren,“ verlautbarte die Messe Düsseldorf am 10. Juni 2016 stolz. Und mit 76 Prozent lag die Quote der internationalen Besucher um 16 Prozentpunkte höher als im Jahr 2012. Deutschland markiert damit einen riesigen Besucherrückgang! Quelle: drupa/Messe Düsseldorf

Ob die Zahl der Besucher den Ausschlag für nachhaltigen Erfolg gibt, sei dahingestellt. Aber eine Schrumpfung um fast 55.000 Besucher im Vergleich zur drupa 2012 ist in jedem Fall bedenkenswert. Zu behaupten, das sei OK, weil die Messedauer ja verkürzt worden sei, erscheint ungefähr so „logisch“ wie das Argument, gutes Essen schmecke umso besser, je mehr man davon mengenmässig verspeist.

Fakt ist vielmehr: Der allseits herausgestellte Dreiklang der modernen Druckindustrie — Digitalisierung, Automatisierung und Flexibilisierung, kurz mit Print 4.0 in Anspielung an Industrie 4.0 charakterisiert – hat zur Folge, dass immer weniger Betriebe mit immer weniger Personal ein inzwischen wieder dynamisches Produktionsvolumen stemmen. Ergo: Weniger ist mehr! ABER: Für die #drupa2016 hätte die beste Voraussetzung bestanden, neue Zielgruppen zu motivieren und zu mobilisieren, um die ambitionierte globale Leitmesse zu besuchen. Das hat aber (wie schon 2012) nur marginal/punktuell geklappt, aber nicht breitenwirksam. Denn neue Besuchergruppen sind durch „Wir können Print 4.0“-Rufe und „Wie toll, was wir da machen-Selbstdarstellungen von Ausstellern nicht zu mobilisieren. Aus meiner Sicht ist eine riesige Chance vergeben worden. Viele Marktteilnehmer werden sich dadurch unnötig schwer tun, um das zu kompensieren. 

Vortrag Andreas Weber Swiss Publishing Days 2016.001

Der kompakte Vortrag mit dem #drupa2016 Review von Andreas Weber kam sehr gut an auf dem Swiss Publishing Day 2016 am 30. Juni 2016 in Winterthur. — Doku via YouTube (Live-Video-Doku) oder via Slideshare (42 Min.-Video plus alle Charts).

Zu vielen Ausstellern muss es wohl egal sein, was die Kunden ihrer Kunden denken. Einige Hersteller betonten, das Wichtigste sei, dass sie weit über ihre Erwartungen hinaus Verkaufsabschlüsse tätigten.

  • Beispiel: Landa verkaufte nach eigenem Bekunden für über 450 Millionen EURO Nano-Druckmaschinen, die (allerdings) immer noch nicht lieferfähig sind. — Siehe dazu meine Traumgeschichte „Danke Benny. Touch the future again and again…”
  • Seriöser resp. sinnvoller aus meiner Sicht: Heideldruck erwähnte bei seiner Annual Analyst Conference am 8. Juni 2016 über 1.000 Kaufverträge über lieferfähige Produkte und Lösungen, um Kunden zu ermöglichen, ihr Kerngeschäft Offsetdruck zu stärken und/oder gleichzeitig sich der Herausforderung „Digitaldruck auf industriellem Fertigungsniveau“ anzunehmen; mehr als 5.500 Heideldruck-Kunden meldeten sich für den neuen Heidelberg eShop an.
  • HP Inc. rühmte sich, mit der kompletten Halle 17 im Gepäck, der größte Aussteller der drupa 2016 gewesen zu sein, und lobt sich selbst: „HP experienced its best attended drupa ever with sales far exceeding expectations, achieving 150 percent of our sales goal,” urteilte laut Branchendienst WhatTheyThink.com Francois Martin, Global Marketing Lead Graphics Solutions Business HP Inc. Fast schon pingelig wird aufgezählt, wieviel Maschinen man verkauft habe, um zu dokumentieren, dass man die eigenen Lösungen zur Marktführerschaft gebracht habe. — Nur mit dem von HP vielgelobten PrintOS, dem neuen und ultimativen Betriebssystem fürs Drucken, kam man laut divergierenden Medienmitteilungen mit 200 resp. 500 Subskribenten, in jedem Falle also weniger als 5% aller Kunden, nicht so weit. — Damit ist HP entgegen der eigenen Einschätzung vom Mainstream weit entfernt und  immer noch nicht vollständig im Print 4.0-Zeitalter der durchgängigen Digitalisierung, Automatisierung und Flexibilisierung angekommen.

Die Umsätze bei Heidelberg wie auch bei KBA, Canon, Xerox, Ricoh und KonicaMinolta liegen allesamt höher als beim „größten“ Aussteller der #drupa2016, der zudem deutlich höhere Stand- und Werbekosten zu verzeichnen hat. (Kann man so etwas einen Pyrrhussieg nennen?). Allein drei Aussteller als Newcomer aus Israel konnten in Summe HP’s Umsätze weit übertreffen resp. eine sehr viel bessere Relation zwischen Invest und Return-on-Invest erzielt haben; neben Landa sind dies Highcon und Scodix, wie der israelische Wirtschaftsdienst Globes vermeldet hat. — Learning: Wer wie HP darauf setzt, sich Erfolg erkaufen zu wollen, muss nicht automatisch erfolgreicher sein als andere. Zumal, wenn wie im Falle HP zur #drupa2016 eigentlich nur Optimierungen der bestehenden HP-Lösungen geboten wurden. Tatsächlich Neues und für die Print-Branche im Sinne des „Touch the future“ insgesamt Relevantes hat sich für mich bei HP auf der #drupa2016 nicht erschlossen. Schon gar nicht durch HP’s mediale Kommunikationsarbeit!

ValuePublishing #drupa20150 Review.001

Petra Lüftner kommentierte am 4. Juli 2016 per XING als Reaktion auf mein Traum-Erlebnis — Danke, Benny! Touch the future again and again… — wie folgt: „Ich war total traumatisiert von so viel Zukunftsvisionen und der ernsthaften Frage, für WEN und welchen MARKT all dieses dort stattgefunden hat. Die Realität sieht meines Erachtens heute und auch in den kommenden Jahren ganz anders aus. Verkaufen, nur um des Verkaufens Willen, ohne fachliche und zeitnahe Analyse der Marktes? Wie oft schon wurde in der Vergangenheit der Hype um neue Technologien zum Untergangsszenario mancher Firma 🙁  Denn nicht die ‚Technology’ ist es, was wir zuerst überdenken müssen, vielmehr die Wertschöpfungskette und die Anwendbarkeit des vorhandenen Instrumentariums.  Ein erfolgreiches Unternehmen zeichnet sich durch einen realistischen Bezug zum Markt und die darauf optimierten Prozesse und Produkte, nicht durch blinkende Displays aus.  So stellte sich am Ende meines Traums die Frage, ist alles was glänzt Gold oder sollte man doch den guten alten Fadenzähler zur genaueren Betrachtung des Ganzen nutzen? Herzliche Grüße in die Stadt des URSPRUNGS, die Gutenberg-Stadt Mainz“.

In medias res: Willkommen im digitalen Printmedienkosmos

Wichtiger erscheint mir, der Nabelschau einiger Top-Aussteller nicht zum Opfer zu fallen, sondern stattdessen konkret aufzuzeigen, welchen Einfluss tatsächlich innovative Technologien-Angebote auf der #drupa2016 für die Branchenentwicklung haben. Denn, wie und ob Print gewinnt, hängt nicht von Boxen-Verkäufen, sondern von Lösungskompetenz und drei zentralen Faktoren ab:

  1. Welche Rolle spielt Print im Kommunikationsmix? Gerade mit Blick auf BigData, Cloud, Social Media und IoT.
  2. Wie und warum definiert Inkjet-Druck die industrielle Herstellung von Printmedien neu?
  3. Wer als Aussteller hat auf der #drupa2016 die Messe-Leitidee „Touch the future“ tatsächlich am besten verkörpert und nach vorne gebracht?

Zeit also für eine an der Realität orientierte Bestandsaufnahme, die alle (kaum noch zu überblickenden) Neuheiten der #drupa2016 zusammenfasst, plausibel bewertet und in den Kontext mit den gewachsenen Anforderungen im Digitalzeitalter stellt.

Das Prinzip der Digitalisierung im Kontext mit Print erklärte Heideldruck-CEO Dr. Gerold Linzbach im Vorfeld der drupa 2016 ganz exzellent (Siehe „drupa ante portas: Automatisierung, Flexibilisierung, Digitalisierung machen Print zum Top-Wachstumsmarkt!“). Auf der drupa präsentierten Dr. Linzbach und sein Vorstandsteam am 8. Juni 2016 souverän vor hochrangigen Finanzanalysten, was Heidelbergs Comeback ausmacht  — übrigens von der drupa-Community kaum bemerkt, führte die gelungene Konferenz für #Heideldruck zu einem Kurssprung nach oben, inklusive Kaufempfehlung der Analysten:

  1. Ein radikales Umdenken und Umschwenken Richtung Print 4.0
  2. Maximale Markt- und Kundenorientierung mit Fokus auf ‚Customer Journey‘ (im Sonne von: Welchen Weg wird mein Kunde gehen, wenn er neue Lösungen einsetzen möchte?)
  3. Neupositionierung Richtung autonomes Drucken sowie das „Amazon-für-Printherstellung“ durch eine integrierte Heideldruck eShop-Lösung

07-drupa2016 ValuePublishing Storify on HeideldruckWeitere Informationen zum Comeback von Heideldruck: ValueStorify „drupa 2016 — #Heideldruck: Back to profitable growth!“ mit Live-Texten, -Fotos, -Videos.

Heideldruck sieht für sich gute Chancen, die „alte“ Welt des Offset-Druckens mit der neuen Welt des „digitalen“ Druckens zu vereinen. Das wird belohnt: Wie Mike Hilton in seinem Global News Review dokumentiert, erhielt Heideldruck in mehreren Kategorien den IDG Business Media and Dimension Data Deutschland’s Digital Leader Award 2016.

Daran anknüpfend ist zu beachten, dass der Umgang mit dem Phänomen „Big Data“ in der Printproduktion mehrere Dimensionen und eine dynamisch stärker werdende Priorität aufweist:

  • Aus dem Web resp. der Social Media-Welt und via Cloud-Services explodiert die Datenmenge dessen, was aus der virtuellen Welt ins Print überführt wird;
  • Inhalte können dabei automatisiert auf Basis von intelligenten Algorithmen zusammengestellt werden für massenhaft individuelle, bedarfsgerechte Druckprodukte.
  • Zum anderen müssen riesige Datenströme beim Produktionsmanagement intelligent gehandhabt werden, um effizient, qualitätvoll, ohne Medienbrüche und möglichst schnell, das heisst in Tagesfrist fertigen und liefern zu können.

Dies geschieht auf verschiedenen Ebenen, wobei im Web verstärkt Systemarchitekturen zur freien Verfügung stehen, die nahtlos Druckdaten automatisiert erzeugen und per Internet an selektiertere Dienstleister/Drucksysteme transferieren können. Die einfachste Form sind Drucke beliebiger Daten via Smartphone oder Tablet. Apple mit AirPrint oder Google mit CloudPrint waren die Pioniere der Generation X; Drucksystemhersteller wie Canon oder HP folgten mit eigenen ePrint-Lösungen. Zum Anderen werden Daten aus Wiki—Plattformen zum Beispiel per PediaPress-Technologie in Bücher verwandelt, auf Basis der vom Internetnutzer online selektierten Wikipedia-Artikel. Weiterhin können Social-Media-Nutzer per Knopfdruck ihre Chroniken auf Twitter, Instagram oder Facebook in Publikationen verwandeln, um gedruckte Poster z.B. der Facebook—/Instagram-Freunde, Leinwanddrucke  oder Tagebuch-Chroniken in Buchform aus Twitter und Facebook automatisiert zu erstellen (siehe mySocialBook, Twenty20 oder boomf mit Druck von Instagram-Fotos auf essbare Marshmellows).

Diese Services werden von Konsumenten ebenso genutzt wie von Unternehmen für Werbezwecke, die solche Projekte in ihre digitalen Marketingkonzepte einbinden (Siehe den ValuePublishing drupa-Vorbericht zum Highlight-Thema Multichannel). Bei den reinen Unternehmensanwendungen werden Marketing- und IT-Daten automatisiert ohne Medienbruch zusammengefügt und daraus Cross-Media-Kundenkampagnen erstellt, die Unternehmensangebote wie zum Beispiel Vertragsverlängerungen bei Versicherungen koppeln mit den Feedbacks von zehntausenden Kunden, die dann an die Unternehmens-IT und deren CRM-Systeme zurückgespielt werden, um die Kundenprofile aktuell zu halten und sogar einzelne Transaktionen zu dokumentieren. Alle Unterlagen sind dann sowohl digital als auch gedruckt verfügbar. Der Kunde entscheidet, welche Form er bevorzugt.

 Als Lesetipp empfehle ich die brillanten Kommentare von Christian Kopocz auf LinkedIn, der als Entrepreneur und Finanz-, Marketing-, Digitaldruck- und Multichannel-Profi exzellent twittern sowie bloggen kann und sein #drupa2016-Erleben aus Sicht des kundigen Fachbesuchers schildert:

Druckers Dilemma: „Herrje! Was habe ich denn mit Social Media und Big Data zu tun? — Eigentlich will ich doch einfach nur drucken!“

Naturgemäß stellen Big Data resp. Social Media die Welt der Druckereiunternehmer auf den Kopf. Das Denken und die Technik-Ausstattung in Druckereien sind darauf ausgerichtet, dass der Kunde/Drucksachenbesteller die Pre-Media-Arbeit selbst erledigt. Und der Druckerei druckbare PDF-Dateien übergibt. Man bedient einen Nachfragemarkt. Denn bis dato folgen Printproduktionsprozesse einem starren, linearen Ablaufschema: Daten werden digital editiert, mit Expertenwerkzeugen formatiert und dann unveränderlich für den Druck aufbereitet und an Druckereien übergeben. Der Mensch diktiert sozusagen der Maschine, was sie tun muss. Die Druckerei lebt vom Bereithalten von Produktionsmitteln und -kapazitäten — mit dem Vorsatz bzw. der Verpflichtung, Bedürfnisse der Kunden bestmöglich zu erfüllen. Damit sind Drucker wie ihre Lieferant glücklich. Aber: Tatsächlich haben beide Fraktionen im Drucksektor die Kontrolle über den Markt längst abgeben. Und wer kennt schon durch Innovationen hervorgerufene Bedürfnisse, die sich erst noch entwickeln können, wenn das neue auch bekannt ist? Wie gesagt, die Kunden der Druckerei waren kaum auf der #drupa2016 zugegen und können sich auch nicht über klassische Fachmedien oder durch bloggende Marktforscher  informieren, weil die sich in Details verlieren…


 Zwischenruf: Anders agieren!

Kai Büntemeyer„Den schlimmsten Fehler, den man machen kann, ist auf der drupa einfach eine Maschine zu kaufen, ohne vor- und nachgelagerte Prozesse zu bedenken!“ — Kai Büntemeyer, Vorsitzender VDMA Druck- und Papiertechnik sowie Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter von Kolbus GmbH & Co KG auf der pre-drupa-Pressekonferenz des VDMA am 4. April 2016.


Der einzig mögliche Innovationsansatz ist daher, den starren Prozess aufzulösen, indem Daten von verschiedener Seite stationär und mobil bearbeitet werden, also von Analog zu Digital und umgekehrt als iterativer Prozess nahtlos automatisiert transformiert, inhaltlich angereichert sowie individuell und „on-demand“ per Digitaldruck ausgegeben werden können. Workflow-technisch gesehen, wird ein Pipeline-Prozess in ein vernetztes, interaktives, individuell auszugestaltendes  Plattform-Konzept überführt, das neue Formen der Konnektivität bietet.

Ganz nah an Big Data: Print 4.0 braucht Communication 4.0

Auf der drupa 2016 konnte man darüber mit Pionieren und Unternehmern wie Didier Gombert, einer der Gründer und Vorstandsvorsitzender des Technologie-Entwicklers Objectif Lune (OL), bestens und auf hohem Niveau diskutieren. Gombert hatte vor einiger Zeit schon den technischen Umbau aller seiner Software-Lösungen vorgenommen. HTML, CSS und JavaScript bilden nunmehr den Ausgangspunkt. Der Fokus liegt auf digitalem Business Communication Management (kurz: ccm). Print kann sich dort stets nahtlos „andocken“ und wird Teil digitaler Kommunikations- und Geschäftsprozesse.

„In der Auseinandersetzung mit der Digitalisierung hat sich die Printmedienbranche lange auf die Steigerung der Herstellungseffizienz fokussiert. Entsprechend folgt jede Art Printmedienherstellung stets digitalen Prozessen. Das ist gut so. Aber: Die Effektivität von Print als vernetzbarem Medium im Digitalzeitalter kam zu kurz und hat jetzt höchste Priorität“, stellt Gombert fest. Der visionäre Unternehmer gilt seit über 20 Jahren als Vorreiter einer neuen „digitalen“ Philosophie, die Printmedien zeitgemäß im Kommunikationsmix einbindet. Grundlage bildet für Gombert das „Connect“-Prinzip. Aus einem „digitalen“ Baukasten verschiedenster Lösungen entwickelte sich ein skalierbares Lösungsszenario, das Einsteigern wie Profis hilft, Print in der Geschäfts-/Kundenkommunikation optimal einzusetzen und stets mit digitalen Kommunikationsprozessen einfach und kostengünstig zu vernetzen. Themenhighlights zur drupa 2016 sind für Gombert sozusagen „beyond technology“ neue Kommunikationsaufgaben wie „Customer Experience“ und „Customer Journey“. Darunter wird verstanden, hundertprozentig markt- und kundenorientiert Produkte und Lösungen im Dialog mit Kunden (weiter) zu entwicklen. Im Fokus: Optimale Schnittstellen zwischen Mensch-Maschine — Maschine-Maschine — Maschine-Mensch. Kein Wunder, dass Gombert auf der drupa 2016 mit allen seinen wichtigen Kunden und Partnern zusammentraf, um den Ball weiter zu spielen. Dazu gehören Konzerne wie Canon, Konica Minolta Pitney Bowes und Ricoh.

ValuePublishing Big Data Visuals.001Ganz nah an Big Data ist auch der Titel eines Reports, den Andreas Weber für das #drupa2016-Print-Special der führenden Technik&Innovations-Zeitung VDI nachrichten verfasste. — Erweiterte Fassung des Reports als Trendanalyse (in englischer Sprache).


Fazit Teil 2

Print als Medientechnologie spielt nicht mehr eine Sonderolle quasi als Analog-Relikt in einer digitalen Welt. Print ist und bleibt die tragende Säule der Geschäfts- und Kommunikationswelt und kann nahtlos in digitale Geschäfts- und Kommunikationsprozesse eingliedert werden! Um in der neuen Welt des Print bestehen zu können, erfordert es seitens der Druckereien den Neustart-Knopf zu drücken. Mit Technik-Käufen oder dem Versuch, durch Technik-Einsatz gar neue Geschäftsmodelle zu entwicklen, kommt keiner weiter. Alle sind aufgefordert, das Zusammenspiel von Brainware, Software und Hardware neu zu definieren und daraus Markt-konforme Lösungsangebote im Dialog mit Kunden zu entwickeln.


Fortsetzung folgt mit Teil 3 — Des Pudels Kern: #unleashprint („entfessele Print“)


Hinweis

Im Fokus dieses umfassenden #drupa2016 Review stehen drei wesentliche Überlegungen als Leitlinie, die sich durch meine umfassenden Vor-drupa-2016-Analysen bereits abzeichneten:

  • Was bringt die Branche und den Markt tatsächlich voran?
  • Wie ordnet sich Print in der Big Data-Welt ein?
  • Welche Player/hidden Champs sind wichtig?

Da sich dieser Sachverhalt nicht trivial erschließen lässt, indem man einfach eine Vielzahl an Neuheiten und Presemeldungen auflistet, nachfolgend mein Bericht in drei Teilen, der das #drupa2016-Messegeschehen bewertet, plausibel in den Kontext stellt, Hintergründe erläutert und am Beispiel des für mich gelungensten Messeauftritts detailliert erklärt, welche Lösungsansätze Sinn machen. — Stichwort: #unleashprint!

Wer sich für alles bis ins feinste Detail informieren möchte, kann dies im ValueBlog in besonderer Form tun. Unter dem Suchwort: „Mike Hilton’s Global News“ finden sich über 600 Pressemeldungen zu allen relevanten drupa-2016-Neuheiten. — Siehe auch den Vortrag mit dem kompakten #drupa2016 Review auf dem Swiss Publishing Day 2016 in Winterthur vom 30. Juni 2016 via YouTube (Live-Video-Doku) oder via Slideshare (42 Min.-Video plus alle Charts).

Value Publishing About @drupa2016.001

ValuePublishing Storify Review 18062016.001

drupa2016 ValuePublshing Review Social Media Heroes.001

Great work. Great tweets. Great results. And a lot of fun beyond technology by LOVRA’s amazing chill-out sessions. Last but not least: Many THANKS to the Xerox Social Media team members Stefan, Bill, Jenna.

#drupa2016 Review: Print wins! If…

Dear friends of drupa!

Please read and share our unique series of #drupa2016 reports. We are proud to enable a real multimedia and multichannel experience. And we are happy to interact with a huge global audience covering 120+ countries.

Kick-off: splendid #drupa2016

Our ValuePUBLISHING TRILOGY — a quite critical, selective analysis looking back at the splendid #drupa2016 (in german language)

Topics Outline Overview:
• Part 1 – Proof of concept: Does the printing community communicates properly?
• Part 2 – Crucial: Reduce to the max — don’t get lost in details!
• Part 3 – The crux of the matter: #unleashprint 

 


Back to the future: Some fun

#drupa2050 — TX to Benny: Touch the future again and again…
#drupa2050 — Danke, Benny! Touch the future again and again…


Enjoy ValuePUBLISHING’s #Storify stories the most valuable way to catch up all major topics of #drupa2016 in a smart multimedia format. Convenient to navigate, wonderful to explore and easy to share. Our guideline: Less is more — so reduce to the max!

 

Note: We are proud of the fact that around the globe hundreds of thousands of unique viewers follow us already and interact with our content — shared via Twitter (@ValueCommAG plus @zeitenwende007), Facebook, LinkedIn, XING and Google+. — More than 70 % of our viewers are leading innovators dedicated to all kind of graphic communications applications. 

 

 

The secret of #drupa2016 in 20 sec. — Summary by Andreas Weber, Head of Value.

 

 

GENERAL OVERVIEW

drupa2016 REVIEW — ValuePublishing Storify:
All about the role of print in the communications mix

drupa2016 — ValuePublishing Storify:
Pre-drupa media conference March 2016

 

 

 

IN MEDIAS RES

drupa2016 — ValuePublishing Storify:
Ready for #unleashprint? YES WE CAN(on)

drupa2016 — ValuePublishing Storify:
Heideldruck back to profitable growth

drupa2016 — ValuePublishing Storify:
Heideldruck Press Conference Feb 2016

drupa2016 — ValuePublishing Storify:
PitneyBowes reinvented mail (live at drupa may/June 2016)

drupa2016 – ValuePublishing Storify:
Objectif Lune put business communications to the next level

drupa2016 — ValuePublishing Storify:
Automated Digital Cutting made by Zünd Systemtechnik

 

Das Geheimnis der #drupa2016 in 23 Sekunden — Von Andreas Weber, Head of Value.

 


In addition for extended reading check out our focused trend reports via ValueBlog posts by Andreas Weber

Note: Almost all Blog posts are available in english and german.

 

ValuePublishing Storify Review 18062016.001


As well you can find a whole series of ValueDialog stories:

ValueDialog — Christian Kopocz: “Multichannel ensures relevance!”

To get access to more ValueDialog stories use our Blog search tool.

 

Value Publishing About @drupa2016.001

 

 

Graphic Repro On-line News Review to Friday 17 June 2016

Welcome to this first post-drupa news roundup, with over 50 news items for you in the headlines since last Monday, plus late additions to the pre-drupa News in our own dedicated Newsroom from Asahi, Fujifilm and Agfa Graphics, and another important initial 20 ‘at-show and post-show’ announcements… from Heidelberg, Koenig & Bauer, Kodak, EFI, Muller Martini, Leonhard Kurz, Manroland Web Systems, and Fujifilm with Heidelberg; and especially from drupa 2016 show organiser Messe Düsseldorf with its end-of-show closing announcement, following what has been described as ‘the best drupa since 2000’. This drupa article also contains 21 endorsements and personal comments from key exhibitors, such as Guy Gecht, EFI; Benny Landa; Gerold Linzbach, Heidelberg; Jean-Pascal Bobst; Francois Martin, HP; John Blyth, Ricoh Europe; and 15 others. All of the above articles and announcements do not include the mass of at-show sales successes which appeared in our daily news columns throughout the week – with masses still to come, and with more still arriving on a daily basis.

What is the secret of #drupa2016 in 20 sec. — Summary by Andreas Weber, Head of Value.

Then we have a really exciting new addition for you in our drupa Newsroom. If you weren’t at the show, or even if you were at this year’s event in Düsseldorf, you can now get your hands on all nine daily issues of the drupa daily show magazine, with complete PDFs of each issue to download. These are jam-packed with news and highlights and a daily ‘Red Sofa’ interview with key exhibitors’ starting with drupa President and Koenig & Bauer chief executive Claus Bolza-Schünemann; followed by Canon EMEA president and chief executive Rokus van Iperen; Benny Landa; Enrique Lores, HP president of Imaging and Printing; Konica Minolta’s Olaf Lorenz general manager Business Solutions Europe; Jean-Pascal Bobst; Eijiro Hori, president of post-press kit manufacturer Horizon; Kodak chief executive Jeff Clarke, and lastly, Marabu chief exec utive York Boeder, talking to two of Europe’s top trade press editors: Thomas Fasold of Druck&Medien, Germany; and Daryl Danielli, of PrintWeek UK. 

The drupa daily also includes some of the hottest show technology, sales and products that were the buzz words at drupa 2016, sourced, curated and produced by a team of the industry’s leading journalists throughout the show. Comments and rumours, photos and all that made it ten fantastic days at drupa and in drupacity Düsseldorf.
The world’s biggest and most important trade fair for print and cross-media solutions also announced that it is to stick to its proven four-year cycle and drupa will be held again in Düsseldorf from Tuesday, 23 June, to Friday, 3 July 2020. 
Please scroll down very carefully this week. You will also find three Verdigris Blogs from Laurel Brunner, all published since our last update. There is a message from Laurel in her most recent Blog for the drupa organisers, who missed a great opportunity in not taking a sustainability lead at this year’s event, and hopes the environment will be in sharper focus in 2020.
I hope you enjoy this week’s selection.
Until next time, when I shall strive to bring you lots more.
My best regards,
 
Mike Hilton

Our e-News comprises:  Headline News – Online Feature Articles – the Verdigris initiative from Digital Dots. Our Drupa and FESPA Newsrooms can be accessed from the Index on our Home Page, as well as News in Review, which provides a weekly overview and listing of all news added to the site. 



Headline News
Over 28,000 news items have now gone online since we launched our Website in September 2001. News for the past 24 months can still be accessed via the Home Page and its continuation news pages 

Mon 13 June…   
Decisive impulses for the global print industry at drupa 2016
drupa 2016 was a resounding success with excellent business deals concluded in an outstanding investment climate…

Novus Holdings South Africa adds Kodak Prosper S-Series
Kodak and Novus Holdings South Africa celebrate biggest Kodak Prosper Installation in Southern Hemisphere at drupa 2016…

Caxton and CTP in African first with Kodak Prosper Inkjet
Kodak and Thunderbolt Solutions to Change the Face of Leading South African Newspapers with Prosper S-Series variable inkjet…

NXP Europe invests in new DM-Liner from Leonhard Kurz
British digital printing company NXP Europe is first worldwide to invest in B2 format Digital Metal technology from Leonhard Kurz…

Ricoh SA dedicates June as Eco Action Month
Ricoh puts the green muscle of over 100 000 employees globally, behind World Environment Day on Sunday 5 June…

EDP Awards Heidelberg Omnifire 250 for colour 4D printing
The European Digital Press Association selected the Omnifire 250 4D printing system for ‘Technical Committee Award’ 2016…

New super-fast Epson SureColor printer wins EDP Award
Epson’s new SureColor SC-P20000 won ‘Best Photographic Printer’ at the European Digital Press Association Awards…

Rotometrics European Open House in September 2016
BPIF Labels to partner this key biennial event in the label calendar since 2012, with additional 40% space for this year…

The next InPrint in Munich, Germany in 2017
From 14 to 16 November, InPrint offers exhibitors a platform for showing cutting-edge printing technology…

drupa to stick to its proven 4-year cycle
The No. 1 trade fair for print and cross-media solutions to be held in Düsseldorf again from 23 June to 3 July 2020…

Tue 14 June…   
Sappi continues move to biomaterials and bio-energy
Sappi to construct a second-generation renewable sugar extraction demonstration plant at its Ngodwana Mill in South Africa…

Print makes strong comeback at the ‘Best drupa since 2000’
Claus Bolza-Schünemann, CEO and president of Koenig & Bauer and drupa president 2016, announced a positive closing verdict…

Heidelberg on course for growth
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG set the course for growth and sustained profitability in the financial year 2015/2016…

CTP Printers Cape Town launches new Lithoman IV
Special 24 hour print event in May at CTP Printers Cape Town introduced the latest Manroland Lithoman IV web press…

Kodak demonstrates leadership through innovation at drupa
Kodak generates significant industry buzz at the largest print show on earth with outstanding results 181% of target…

BHS Corrugated and Screen announce partnership
Screen and BHS to develop high-volume inline industrial digital printing solution for the corrugated board industry…

Adare SEC to add two full-colour Ricoh Pro VC60000s
UK-based Adare SEC makes multi-million pound commitment to colour personalisation with two Ricoh Pro VC60000s at drupa 2016…

EDC Expert first to invest in Ricoh Pro VC60000
EDC Expert (former Emerson DC) invests in Eastern Europe’s first Ricoh Pro VC60000 continuous feed inkjet platform…

Antalis Packaging offers free audits in UK
Free comprehensive packaging auditing services now available through latest Antalis Packaging investment…

Tipografic signs drupa order for Christmas delivery
Label producer Tipografic signs with Heidelberg UK for latest Speedmaster XL 106-7+L, Polar 115 Autotrim, and Bander…

Wed 15 June…   
Muller Martini’s drupa leaves a convincing impression
Muller Martini CEO, Bruno Müller, looks back at the company’s successful participation at drupa 2016 and Finishing 4.0…

Springfield buys third Screen Truepress digital label press
Springfield Solutions, UK, invests in third Truepress Jet L350UV press at drupa to keep pace with steady growth…

Heidelberg grows with digital as 1000th Versafire sold
Heidelberg has sold its 1000th Versafire digital printing system worldwide (formerly named Linoprint prior to drupa)…

Ricoh SA has chosen to focus on the Western Cape
Ricoh SA Western Cape assembles top industry teams for services-led operations in document imaging and production print…

Mimaki hat-trick at European Digital Press Awards
Accolades for Mimaki UJV55-320, Mimaki UJF-7151 plus and Mimaki TX300P-1800 at the EDP Awards presented at drupa 2016…

Agfa Graphics Jeti Mira recognised in EDP Awards
European Digital Press Association rewards Agfa Jeti Mira as ‘Best wide-format flatbed printer up to 250 sq/m hour’…

SPGPrints PIKE digital textile printer wins EDP Award
SPGPrints’s PIKE digital textile printer has won the European Digital Press Award for ‘Best Industrial Textile Solution’…

Canon South Africa makes moves to become carbon neutral
Canon SA is steadfast in its commitment to optimise resource efficiency and contribute to environmental sustainability…

EFI and Esko to bring combined workflow solution to market
EFI and Esko announced a LOI at drupa for workflow collaboration in the high-growth packaging segment…

Ricoh partners with EFI Vutek for large-format inkjet
Ricoh partners with EFI Vutek to offer market-leading large-format flatbed printing solutions…

Thu 16 June…   
HP’s largest customer deal in HP Indigo history
Shutterfly signs for 25 HP Indigo 12000 Digital Presses to capture 2016 holiday peak season production demands…

UPM: Students need fluent reading skills
The Finnish Reading Centre to organise 100 literacy workshops for technical studies students with UPM’s support…

EDP Awards with three product wins for HP Inc. at drupa
HP SmartStream Mosaic, HP PrintOS and HP DesignJet T830 were each named the best product in their category…

Exclusive carbon-neutral Eco-Range boxes from Antalis
Antalis Packaging in the UK has launched its Eco-Range of single wall corrugated box products…

LED-UV and perfecting from KBA bound for Glasgow
Two Rapida 106s for J Thomson Colour Printers in a two-press deal signed at drupa: a six colour and a ten-colour…

World’s first Book of One Bookline for NBD Biblion
The world’s first Muller Martini Diamant MC Digital Book of One Bookline goes to NBD Biblion in The Netherlands…

CEWE adds three Versafire CPs from Heidelberg
Europe’s biggest photo service provider CEWE chooses Versafire CP digital printing systems from Heidelberg…

Vale Press unveils B2 expansion with drupa purchase
Huge success following its move into B2 two years ago has led Vale Press back to Heidelberg…

Two iconic newspapers now printed in Turenki, Finland
Hansaprint prints Financial Times and International New York Times on the World’s First Ricoh Pro VC60000…

Crossprint adds perfect binding to support new business
Isle of Wight commercial printer adds Horizon perfect binder and three-side trimmer to expand in-house services…

Fri 17 June…   
Manroland Web: Strong drupa performance with great prospects
The fully networked production for the future: Manroland Web Systems is very satisfied with its showing at drupa 2016…

EFI acquires Optitex and its 3D design technology
EFI acquires emerging and fast-growing Optitex to extend its leadership in the digital transformation of the textile industry…

Konica Minolta wins two cut-sheet EDP Awards
Konica Minolta’s new AccurioJet KM-1 sheetfed B2+ UV inkjet digital press and bizhub PRESS C71hc awarded…

From web to corrugated with Highcon Axis at LxBxH
Beta site LxBxH Verpackung, has gone live with its online customisable corrugated box ordering system…

World’s first LED-UV on high speed web offset press
The Goss M-600 press surpasses expectations with first installation of LED UV drying and VITS Sheeter…

Walsh snaps up Heidelberg’s new high output Stahlfolder
First Irish company to purchase the new Stahlfolder TH 82-P that was launched by Heidelberg at drupa…

CFI Technologies orders second Ricoh Pro VC60000
Galiote Prenant Group has ordered a second line just months after becoming first in France with a Ricoh Pro VC60000…

IME by Estimprim orders KBA Rapida 105 PRO
Eight-colour KBA B1 perfector for French book specialist…

KMS Litho seeks digital expansion with Versafire CV
KMS Litho undertook extensive research into digital options and came down in favour of the Heidelberg Versafire CV…

Micropress orders Primera MC saddle stitcher at drupa
The new Muller Martini Primera MC will boost Micropress UK’s productivity…

Last lead article from previous update…  

Last issue’s lead article…

UPM is changing its corporate structure in Finland
UPM-Kymmene Corporation is proceeding with the plan announced last December, to change its corporate structure in Finland…

GraphicRepro.Net e-News  (ISSN 1814-2923) is sponsored and made possible by:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG  (Heidelberg), The world’s largest printing press manufacturer for the industry worldwide. Heidelberg customers enjoy the most comprehensive and extensive sales and service network in the industry for JDF compliant workflow, computer-to-plate, sheetfed offset, Web-to-print, digital printing, digital inkjet for labels and packaging, packaging and finishing, all with complementary consumables. Heidelberg has offices in around 170 countries. Visit the Heidelberg Website for more information.

drupa 2016 (drupa), the international flagship fair of the printing and media industry, responds to the challenges of the changing market and provides pioneering solutions for the future. This is highlighted by the new marketing and communication strategy where drupa claims its position as ‘No.1 for Print & Crossmedia Solutions’ with the slogan ‘touch the future’. The issues of ‘package printing’, ‘multichannel’, ‘green printing’, ‘3D printing’, and ‘functional printing’ will become increasingly important to the overall communication strategy. To find out more, visit the drupa 2016 Website.

Online Feature articles 2014 – 2016
There were again well over 70 last year, 90 in 2014, and 92 articles in 2013 which can still be accessed via the Index on the Home Page, with prior years’ via Search Archives (option 2).

Technology-related Chapter 02

Previous…   
Asahi mini-white paper: Water- vs Solvent-washable
Making flexographic printing more sustainable and efficient with water-washable flexo plates as compared to conventional solvent-washable plates…

Online Features May/Jun Chapter 05

Previous…   
Canon SA a sponsor for South African Disabled Golf Open
Canon SA was proudly part of the 2016 Nedbank South African SA Disabled Golf Open at Zwartkop Country Club in Pretoria from 2 to 4 May 2016…

Verdigris – Environmental Initiative

Laurel Brunner’s weekly Verdigris Blogs 2016

Preparing for drupa 2020
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 17 Jun

Paperlab Update
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 10 Jun

Energising
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Sun 05 Jun

Drupa Newsroom
Our Drupa Newsroom with news from Messe Düsseldorf and for Drupa 2016 can be found in the Index. It is divided into the following Chapters for your convenience and ease of use… but you must scroll down to view each Chapter when you visit the Newsroom

drupa daily to download as PDFs
These jam-packed drupa daily news issues are ready to read now. You can download each one complete as a PDF…

drupa daily issue No 1 on 31 May 2016
Includes drupa President and Koenig & Bauer chief executive Claus Bolza-Schünemann’s Red Sofa chat with Thomas Fasold…

drupa daily issue No 2 on 2 June 2016
Includes Canon EMEA president and chief executive Rokus van Iperen’s talk with Darryl Danielli about the importance of merging cultures…

drupa daily issue No 3 on 3 June 2016
Includes Landa Digital Printing founder and chairman Benny Landam as he tells Darryl Danielli how he has been retired for 50-plus years…

drupa daily issue No 4 on 4 June 2016
Includes Enrique Lores, HP president of Imaging and Printing talking to Darryl Danielli about growth…

drupa daily issue No 5 on 5 June 2016
Includes Olaf Lorenz, GM of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, as he discusses the KM-C with Darryl Danielli…

drupa daily issue No 6 on 6 June 2016
Includes Jean-Pascal Bobst, chief executive of Swiss manufacturer
Bobst talking to Darryl Danielli about the importance of family…

drupa daily issue No 7 on 7 June 2016
Includes Eijiro Hori, president of post-press kit manufacturer Horizon sharing his thoughts on the importance of partnerships with Darryl Danielli…

drupa daily issue No 8 on 8 June 2016
Includes Kodak chief executive Jeff Clarke talking to Darryl Danielli about the business’s evolution and how it’s getting back to its roots…

drupa daily issue No 9 on 9 June 2016
Includes Marabu chief executive York Boeder talking with Thomas Fasold about digitisation in printing and the strengths of screen printing…

drupa 2016 Exhibitors’ show + post-show News
Latest additions can be accessed in our drupa Newsroom.

Fujifilm and Heidelberg target growth potential of the industry
Successful partnership between Fujifilm and Heidelberg confirmed as CEOs agree to target growth potential of the industry…

Manroland: Strong drupa performance with great prospects
The fully networked production for the future: Manroland Web Systems is very satisfied with drupa 2016…

Muller Martini’s drupa leaves a convincing impression
Muller Martini CEO, Bruno Müller, looks back at the company’s successful participation at drupa 2016…

Print makes strong comeback at the ‘Best drupa’ since 2000
Claus Bolza-Schünemann, CEO and president of Koenig & Bauer (KBA) and drupa president 2016, announced a decidedly positive closing verdict…

Kodak demonstrates leadership through innovation at drupa
Kodak generates significant industry buzz at the largest print show on earth with outstanding results at 181% of target…

Decisive impulses for the global print industry at drupa 2016
drupa 2016 was a resounding success with excellent business deals concluded in an outstanding investment climate…

drupa to stick to its proven 4-year cycle
The No. 1 trade fair for print and cross-media solutions to be held in Düsseldorf again from 23 June to 3 July 2020…

Agfa Graphic’s next generation thermal plate system
Always innovating, Agfa Graphics announced its new generation thermal plates solution at drupa 2016…

EFI adds new, scalable blade-based Fiery DFEs
Power the latest generation of ultra high-speed inkjet presses supporting packaging and transactional applications…

EFI launches new, cloud-based Fiery Navigator software
A new cloud-based product that gives digital print service providers insight into their production data…

EFI newest Midmarket Print Suite European debut at drupa
The updated Productivity Suite, with EFI Pace as the core MIS and a rich collection of print specific components, delivers certified, end-to-end business and production workflows…

EFI’s advanced portfolio showcased in Hall 9 at drupa
Fueling Customer Success: EFI’s Breakthrough New Digital Print Platforms at drupa spark New ‘Imaging of Things’ opportunities for Print Providers…

EFI’s Groundbreaking LED inkjet single-pass platform for corrugated
EFI launches revolutionary single-pass inkjet press for high-speed corrugated board production…

Heidelberg’s ‘Simply Smart’ motto for drupa 2016
drupa 2016: Heidelberg continues growth course – new market opportunities in the digital age…

Heidelberg Cloud forms the basis for future-oriented services
Smart Collaboration: Heidelberg Cloud, Heidelberg Assistant, and Heidelberg eShop are setting new standards in customer/supplier relationships…

Heidelberg’s Primefire 106: World premiere for industrial inkjet
drupa 2016: With the Primefire 106 Heidelberg presented a world premiere for industrial inkjet printing in 700 x 1000 format…

HP unleashes industry-leading digital printing portfolio
At drupa, HP reimagines possibilities of printing with new Pagewide, Indigo, HP JetFusion 3D printing solutions and more…

NXP Europe invests in new DM-Liner from Leonhard Kurz
British digital printing company NXP Europe is first worldwide to invest in B2 format Digital Metal technology from Leonhard Kurz…

Push to Stop – Heidelberg makes autonomous printing a reality
The new generation Speedmaster ushered in a paradigm shift in industrial print production with its new ‘Push to Stop’ operating philosophy…

World premiere of the new drupa-generation Speedmaster XL 106
Peak performance redefined: drupa-generation Speedmaster XL 106 revolutionises industrial print production…

drupa ante portas Blogs 2016
The tenth and final article in this series from Andreas Weber in Mainz, Germany…

Previous…   
drupa ante portas: Big Data Up Close
Digital technologies impact the entire cosmos of print media and complete workflow, too. By Andreas Weber, Mainz/Germany…

drupa 2016 News from Exhibitors (now in alphabetical order)
Latest additions can now be accessed in our drupa Newsroom.

Asahi: Gearing Up for drupa 2016
At Asahi Photoproducts, we are busy getting ready for drupa. We hope we will see you there; we’ll be located in Hall 11, stand A60, at the show, and we have some great technologies to share!…

Fujifilm ‘5D Printing Strategy’ at drupa 2016
Fujifilm to unveil its 5D Printing Strategy at drupa 2016 in partnership with EPAC Technologies…

Agfa to demo new Arkitex Production at drupa
Agfa Graphics announces latest Arkitex Production newspaper prepress workflow to be demonstrated at drupa in Hall 8a…

post-drupa 2016 News from Messe Düsseldorf

Decisive impulses for the global print industry at drupa
drupa 2016 was a resounding success with excellent business deals concluded in an outstanding investment climate…

drupa to stick to its proven 4-year cycle
The No. 1 trade fair for print and cross-media solutions to be held in Düsseldorf again from 23 June to 3 July 2020…

FESPA Newsroom
The dedicated FESPA Newsroom can be found via the Index on our Home Page.

FESPA Federation News in 2016

The Graphic Repro On-line Website is supported and sponsored by: 

Antalis South Africa, Canon SA, Screen Europe,  Drupa 2016,  Esko,  FESPA.  Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG,  HP Graphic So lutions, Kemtek Imaging Systems,  Krause-Biagosch,  Leonhard Kurz Stiftung,   Manroland Web Systems GmbH, Muller Martini AG,  Ricoh Europe,  Sappi LimitedThunderbolt Solutions, and UPM-Kymmene.

If you would like to send news for consideration for the Graphic Repro On-line Website (ISSN 1814-2915) or to submit comments, please e-mail Mike Hilton at: graphicrepro.za@gmail.com.


BEST WAY TO UNDERSTAND #drupa2016:

Click to get access to our unique Value Storify to get all relevant facts and comments in a few minutes.

 

08-drupa2016 Review ValuePublishing Storify on Role of Print in the Communication Mix.png

 

ValuePublishing Big Data Visuals.001

Digital technologies impact the entire cosmos of print media and complete workflow, too.

By Andreas Weber

 

Note: The latest market trend analysis by Andreas Weber is the extended version of an article which will be published by the leading technology newspaper VDI-nachrichten. VDI-nachrichten addresses a premium reader target group of more than 310,000 technical and innovation experts in German industry.  — See as well market trend analysis “Focus Packaging”.

 

The internet is the enemy of print. That had long been the perception in the print media branch. A blind eye was turned to the fact that technologically for decades, digital high-performance networks and data transfer have been indispensable for print technology development. 

This occurs on various levels, whereby online, a system architecture is freely available that automatically generates print data and transfers it by internet to selected service providers / printing systems. The simplest form is prints of any data via smartphone or tablet. The first were Apple with AirPrint and Google with CloudPrint; print system manufacturers such as Canon and HP followed with proprietary e-print solutions. On the other hand, data from Wiki platforms such as PediaPress technologies, are transformed into books based on Wikipedia articles selected by the user online. Furthermore, social media users can transform their chronicles on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook into publications at the push of a button to automatically create, for instance, printed posters of Facebook/Instagram friends, canvas prints or diary chronicles in book form from Twitter and Facebook (see mySocialBook, Twenty20 or boomf with the printing of Instagram photos on edible marshmallows).

 

A few samples how Social Media became already the source for new print applications (driven by innovative suppliers).

 

These services are used for promotional purposes by both consumers and companies who include such projects in their digital marketing concepts. For pure business applications, marketing and IT data are automatically merged without media disruption to create cross-media customer campaigns that couple a company offer such as an insurance contract extension with feedback from tens of thousands customers, which is then exported to the company’s IT and CRM systems for keeping customer profiles up-to-date and even documenting individual transactions. All documents are then available in both digital and printed form. The customer chooses which form he prefers.

Background
The internet protocol TCP/IP got its breakthrough by enabling large amounts of data to be transferred quickly and reliably, especially for publishing and print applications. The user interface/mouse and particularly PostScript as a page description language revolutionised the generation of print data and print media production already in the 1980s. The sheer unlimited and ubiquitously available storage options through the internet for large amounts of data stemming from all areas of life and industry gave rise to the big data “phenomenon” — with the lure of evaluating unstructured or semi-structured data in relational databases for analyses of any type. 

 

digitalisation_gestion_conges nereo

Digitalisation sets the pace

Two aspects were the logical result for the print media branch: 

  • first, all production workflow has to be “digitally” optimised;
  • and secondly, much more data is easily available through the internet that can be printed without media disruption.

The Internet becomes tool and marketplace in one. Accordingly, the online printing sector has grown dynamically: new specialised firms led by CIMPRESS/Vistaprint, Flyeralarm, Onlineprinters/diedruckerei.de or United Printers have accounted since 2009 in Germany alone for a trebling of volume that will most likely surpass the 3+ billion Euro mark in 2016. Popular applications/products are photo books, posters, flyers/mailings, brochures and more.

Key to success for online printing are the principles that characterise the 2016 motto “Touch the future” of drupa, the world’s leading print trade fair: automation, flexibilisation, digitalisation form the basis of “Print 4.0” — a new term borrowed from “Industry 4.0”, the highly commended industry standard from the Hannover Messe 2016. The rudiments of “4.0” have already been established in the printing branch for more than 10 years. The basis: JDF. The digital “Job Definition Format” allows made-to-order production to be taken care of automatically. Added to that is the complete cross-linking of production workflow and production machines including online remote services.

 

Heideldruck Press event 2 18022016.001

 

The print technology manufacturers have readied themselves for that. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen has developed a new digital strategy integrating all print technologies and is going one step further at drupa 2016: The “Heidelberg Cloud” moves into focus with its smart print-shop concept. That is a new, extended approach that cross-links fully automated production with business aspects for the transparent and efficient operation of a printing business — incl. engagement with the customers/print buyers who are informed of the status of their orders online or per mobile. Even the automatic ordering of consumables and printing paper is integrated. In the digital printing sector, HP is doing likewise with its “PrintOS” platform that is to be launched at the end of May 2016 and cross-links the proprietary HP systems/technologies used by its customers.

 

Background:

HP PrintOS wants to enable the processing as simply as possible of any number of print orders from order acceptance to mailing, to work efficiently with partners and colleagues and exploit new growth potential. On a cloud-based, and according to HP open and absolutely secure platform, users have access at any time – no matter where they happen to be. However, PrintOS can only be used by those who have HP printing solutions (HP Indigo digital presses, HP PageWide web presses, HP Scitex presses and HP Latex printers). https://youtu.be/Rd2x2hRnikE

 

Internet as tool and marketplace in one

The internet, including the online and mobile worlds, is thus becoming an integral part of any type of print media production. Even imaging specialist Canon, the only exhibitor that can cover all drupa highlight themes, backs digital cross-linked transformation and synchronisation of all production, communication and business processes. The social media-conforming Canon motto #UnleashPrint particularly substantiates the drupa 2016 aspiration.

From 3D applications to printing products “cross-linked” through augmented reality, application scenarios that pool all of Canon’s expertise will be shown at drupa 2016. The driver in the “background” is Canon’s solutions skill for accelerating digital transformation through customised software and the merging of proprietary and third-party (such as Microsoft, Oracle, etc.) solutions. Canon gave a taste of what was to come at its future show “Canon Expo” in October 2015 in Paris: It was demonstrated live and explained in presentations how a (fictive) brand of mountain bikes can be staged in media and communications right from the start, from the photo shoot to marketing materials up to e-commerce with a web shop. Everything cast from the same mould, everything seamlessly interwoven. And this, too, at the point-of-sales, for example, where the quality of digitally printed packaging is determining the way forward. Equally impressive was the “creative” zone which showed what a consumer experience is like when everything that one imagines can become reality: From the perception of the world “out there” to one’s own home — everything is supported by Canon in multimedia, by image/photo, video, printed photo book, iPad app, etc.

 

The Art of Print – Rembrandts revival!

Causing a sensation worldwide recently was “The Next Rembrandt” project: On the initiative of art experts at the Het Rembrandthuis Museum in Amsterdam and scientists from the Delft University of Technology with the support of technology partner Microsoft, all available data and information left behind by Rembrandt was evaluated – some 15 terabytes of data in total. “The Next Rembrandt” was to be made up of 168,263 Rembrandt painting components derived from 3D scans that resulted from a laborious, digital 3D composition in a synthesised new painting. However, no 3D printer was used as reported by the media, but a digital printing system. It is not public yet what kind of digital printing system they used. But: Mid of March 2016 at the Canon Business Days in Venlo, The Netherlands a printed copy of the „The Next Rembrandt“ was shown. It could be produced by advanced Océ VariaDot Imaging-Technologies which are already used to reproduce image motifs in relief, based preferably on 3D scans, such as for the reproduction of old fabric wall coverings formerly created by artists. [See the exclusive ValuePublishing story „Rembrandt verleiht Print postum eine ganz neue Bedeutung“ (in german language)]. 

ValuePublishing Canon Stories.001

 

Print 4.0 needs Communication 4.0

“In dealing with digitalisation, the print media branch focussed a long time on increasing production efficiency. Accordingly, any type of print media product always followed digital processes. That is a good thing. But, the effectiveness of print as a cross-linkable medium in the digital age was given short shrift and now has top priority,” stated Didier Gombert, founder and CEO of technology developer Objectif Lune (OL). For more than 20 years, the visionary entrepreneur has been a pioneer of a new “digital” philosophy that integrates print media topically in the communications mix.

For Gombert, the foundation is the “connect” principle. From one “digital” building block of various solutions, a scalable solution scenario develops that helps both beginners and pros to optimally use print in business and customer communications and always cross-links easily and affordably with digital communication processes. His success proves him right: With 240 employees and 3 development centres in North America, Europe and Australia, OL serves more than 20,000 companies around the world and is supported by a network of qualified partners. For Gombert, theme highlights at drupa 2016 are new communications tasks that are “beyond technology” so to say, such as “customer experience” and “customer journey”. This is understood to (further) develop 100% market and customer-oriented products and solutions in a dialogue with the customer. In focus: optimal interfaces between man-machine — machine-machine — machine-man.

 

ValuePublishing Big Data Visuals.002

 

From Pipelines to Platforms

Up to now, print production processes have followed a rigid, linear workflow scenario: Data are edited digitally, formatted with expert tools and then prepared unalterably for print. People tell the machine, so to say, what to do. An innovative approach, therefore, is to dissolve this rigid process, whereby data from various sources can be processed online or offline, from analogue to digital and vice-versa — quasi as an iterative process – seamlessly transformed and automatically enriched with customised and “on-demand” output per digital printing. Seen from a technical workflow angle, a pipeline process is transferred to a cross-linked interactive platform concept that offers new forms of connectivity.

Interesting stimuli are also coming in this context from post-press processing and paper technology. For automation, paper technology specialist BW Papersystems banks on a new type of online remote service such as its ExpertOnline. Originally conceived as a technical services support, it soon became apparent that masses of machine data from giant paper production plants could be exported and intelligently analysed. From this, production workflows and techniques could be optimised.

On the other hand, BW Papersystems is the first specialised technology manufacturer to rely on dialogue throughout the entire value chain in print production – that is, from pre-media, print, paper and processing technology and application specialists – to enable continuous, fully-automated processes. No continuity in print production can be ensured otherwise. This type of automation is important, especially for online printing and particularly for the latest digital print productions as print production facilities become more efficient in their output and vast amounts of data are accrued. At Onlineprinters/diedruckerei.de, for example, 500,000 customers are served, with up to 4,000 orders carried out per day on an annual average and 1.25 million deliveries per annum.

 

Conclusion

The handling of “big data” in print production has several dimensions: From the web and social media world or via cloud services, the amount of data is exploding that is being transferred from the virtual world to print; content can be automatically compiled on the basis of intelligent algorithms for masses of customised, needs-oriented print products. On the other hand, huge data streams have to be handled intelligently in production management to be able to produce and deliver efficiently, with quality, without media disruption and as quickly as possible, that is, within the deadline of a day.

 

Tip for drupa visit

  1. Exhibitors such as Objectif Lune in Hall 7a/E23 and BW Papersystems, Hall 10/D20 on automation through digitalisation from pre-media to post-press processing

  2. In the drupa innovation parc, Hall 7, new digital innovative solutions are grouped, which are also explained in technical presentations

  3. Different to all other drupa exhibitors Canon covers all drupa high-light topics in once. The motto #UnleashPrint comes to life. Hall 8a/B50.

drupamc Stats ValuePublishing.001

Great results via ValuePublishing as a #1 provider of real-time content and smart storytelling!

By Andreas Weber

The hashtag #drupamc worked very well to publicize in real-time all those good news from drupa 2016 media week which happened in Düsseldorf from 29 February to 2 March 2016. AD Communications, Messe Düsseldorf and all those motivated exhibitors enabled with their presentations a great experience for all of us from the trade press around the globe.

It is that easy today if you know how it works: If you have good news convert it in brillant messages and deliver it on a multimedia-driven professional level and you are able to attract a huge audience in real-time. Around the globe!

 

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We are so proud to announce amazing ValuePublishing results to celebrate Print and all those value adding services which were presented during #drupamc. In total, we covered >40% of all the shared content using the hashtag #drupamc, because many others liked our smart storytelling messaging and shared it immediately.

Some key facts and analytics:

Results of our ValuePublishing Social Media activities for #drupamc 2016 via @ValueCommAG + @zeitenwende007 and our ValueSocialPlatform accounts

  • #1 in Real-Time Gross Reach (>750k via Twitter, Storify, ValueBlog, LinkedIn, Facebook, XING and Google+ from Feb, 29th to March, 3rd)
  • #1 in Interaction (>100k, 67 countries involved)
  • #1 in Smart Storytelling (>300 Posts with text messages, posts and >50 short Videos)
  • #1 in Google’s Search Ranking (so far) for #drupamc
  • #1 in Content Quality via expert comments, Video Selfies, fun actions 🙂 which got re-tweeted by vendors, agencies, publishers, colleagues and new contacts.

—Date: March 4th, 2016

Notes. Source for Twitter stats: Hashtrack. Source for Value Stats in total via the analytics tools provided by WordPress, Facebook, Xing, LinkedIn. — Less than 10% of the #drupamc attendees were able to tweet (properly); vendors like Xerox created a huge reach with their corporate PR messages, but on a very low interaction level. All of them shared ValuePublishing content as well. So we covered in total >40% of the shared content.

 

Amazing to watch that almost a hundred twitter users added us to their specific #lists on Twitter because of our smart combination of hashtags, like #print + #Iot + #Cloud + #Multichannel + #BigData. At least it was possible to reach a new audience as well which is highly relevant for drupa to touch the future. Those Twitter experts would never react to a single hashtag #print or even to #drupamc.

Outlook: Our ValuePublishing approach, based on the motto “Innovative technologies and solutions must also be communicated in a consistently innovative way“, works perfectly. We can’t wait to continue further on before, during and after drupa 2016 to bring Print forward! Get in touch with us to become part of it!

 

Please check our #drupamc report as well.

 

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drupamc report key visual.001

5th drupa media week could become the most innovative. Because drupa 2016 will be different. It is not any more about machines. It is about solutions, Cloud, Apps and Brainware! BUT: Does the audience really understand what’s going on?

Real-time ValuePublishing report by Andreas Weber

Amazing what was going on those days in Düsseldorf. The drupa media conference #drupamc was excellent and has proven: Print has changed fundamentally. It is all about digital printing + IT + Social Media + IoT + Cloud …

Check out the ValuePublishing Real-Time Report via Storify! A unique resource serving you best via relevant messages, photos and short movies. Be curious and stay tuned.

My “Darling” of Day 2: Canon’s new approach #unleashprint.
Watch my Selfie Video with Mark Lawn!

 

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Echtzeit-Bericht per ValuePublishing von Andreas Weber 

In Düsseldorf zeigte sich auf der drupa media conference (#drupamc), wie das Print-Business sich gewandelt hat. Alles dreht sich um Digitaldruck plus IT plus Social Media plus Cloud plus IoT… Im Fokus: Inkjet in neuer Dimension.

Die beste Informationsquelle bietet meine Real-Time Onlinebericht per ValuePublishing mit Tweets, Fotos und Videos von mir sowie ausgesuchten Fachkollegen aus aller Welt.War mein “Darling” am ersten Tag HP mit #PrintOS, so war es am Zweiten Canon mit #Unleashprint (entfessele Print). Und am dritten Tag punkteten gleichauf  EFI mit der überzeugendsten, Epson und Bobs mit der überraschendsten und GlobalGraphics mit der analytisch besten Präsentation.

Zum Start der Canon #unleashprint Kampagne gab es als Premiere ein sehr cooles Video-Selfie-Kurzinterview mit Mark Lawn.

Bitte Klicken zum Weiterlesen des Echtzeit-Berichts über die gesamten drei Tage!

 

drupamc report key visual.001

 

Value Publishing Storify as HTML

 

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Heideldruck Press event 2 18022016.001

Von Andreas Weber | Englisch version available

Das Traditionsunternehmen Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Börsenjargon „Heideldruck“) zündete nach seinem fulminanten Neustart, der im Dezember 2015 der internationalen Fachwelt vorgestellt wurde, die nächste Stufe. — Meine Meinung: Print als Medium und Print als universell einsetzbare Medientechnologie ist nun endgültig und souverän im Digitalzeitalter angekommen. Great job! Very well done, Heideldruck-Management! Das wird die Branche voranbringen.

Per ValuePublishing haben wir eine umfassende Online-Echtzeit-Report erstellt, der über die wichtigsten Aspekte Auskunft gibt, und bereits per Value SocialMedia bei über 100.000 Fachleute aus aller Welt Interesse fand. Siehe die Zusammenfassung per Storify-Bericht, die Texte, Fotos, Kurzvideos und Experten-Kommentare wiedergibt. Die wichtigsten Tags: #print #bigdata #IoT #multichannel #Innovation

 

 

Das Motto „Simply Smart“, das wie berichtet Heideldruck zur Leitmesse drupa 2016 wählte, klingt vielversprechend. Dahinter verbirgt sich eine über rund zwei Jahre vorbereitete neue Unternehmensstrategie, die alles auf den Kopf stellt, was die Print-Branche gewohnt ist. „Es gab viele Baustellen“, räumt Vorstandschef Dr. Gerold Linzbach ein. Nun hat er es mit einem neuen, hochengagierten Team geschafft. Wie Phönix aus der Asche scheint sich Heideldruck zu erheben, um neue Maßstäbe zu setzen. Worum es geht? Es geht darum, wie man die industrielle Fertigung von Printmedien im Digitalzeitalter plus ihre Nutzungsmöglichkeiten für die Geschäfts- und Privatkommunikation in neuer Dimension ermöglicht. Nicht mehr, nicht weniger. Die Wende besteht darin, dass man bei Heideldruck nicht mehr Maschinenbau und Schwermetall in den Fokus rückt, sondern innovative Software-Architekturen und werthaltiges Know-how, wie man Printtechnik in profitable Geschäftsszenarien integriert. Es geht um digitale Kompetenz und nicht mehr um die Frage, ob traditioneller Offsetdruck oder moderner Digitaldruck nun die besseren Verfahren seien. 

 

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Kundiges Fachpublikum aus aller Welt. Foto: Heidelberg

 

Fast so spannend wie die vielen Heideldruck-Neuigkeiten zu vernehmen, die am 18. und 19. Februar 2016 in Heidelberg verkündet wurde, war die Reaktion im Publikum zu beobachten. Die Fachelite der globalen Printmedientechnik-Publikationen war geladen, um ein Feuerwerk an Lösungs- und Produktneuheiten kritisch zu prüfen. Das Urteil war eindeutig: „Hut ab. Das war auf den Punkt gebracht, was uns als Branche definitiv nach vorne bringt“,“ sagte z. B. Klaus-Peter Nicolay, Verleger und Chefredakteur von Druckmarkt. „Klasse! Das geht bei Heidelberg genau den richtigen Weg“, präzisierte kurz und knapp Bernd Zipper, Technologie-Berater und Online-Printing-Experte von ZIPCON Consulting. Und Verleger Michael Seidl, EMGroup Wien, stellte fest: „Nunmehr sind Fakten geschaffen, nicht nur Neuheiten angekündigt, die der Branche weiterhelfen und Print für die Zukunft stärken.“

 

 

„Heidelberg will Daten veredeln“

„Daten statt Tonnen. Maschinen sind — mit einer gewichtigen Ausnahme — nur eine Randnotiz im Drupa-Angebot von Heidelberg. Der Konzern nimmt seinen Slogan ‚We are more than machines‘ derzeit überaus ernst“, bewertet Martin Schwarz vom 4c Magazin seine Beobachtungen. Es ginge schließlich darum, ein Ökosystem rund um die installierte Maschinenbasis aufzubauen, das Daten und Algorithmen konsequent zur Performance-Steigerung von Druckereien nutze. Und fährt fort: „Unter Umständen setzt Heidelberg den einzig möglichen Impuls für Disruption in einem enorm saturierten ökonomischen Umfeld. Heute noch mag vieles Kür sein, was da vorgestellt wurde. Bald schon wird es Pflicht sein. Genau so Pflicht wird es aber werden, die schöne neue digitalisierte Servicewelt zu einem Ertragsbringer auszubauen.“

Smart Services sind mittlerweile eine der zentralen Säulen von Heideldruck, wie Vorstand Harald Weimer überzeugend darlegte. (Nebenbei: Per iPad führt Harald Weimer live vor, wie man das Print-Geschäft steuern kann. Siehe auch unser Interview „Print ist smart“). Services bringen bei Heideldruck bereits ein Umsatzvolumen von über 500 Millionen Euro pro Jahr. Neben der Wartung von Maschinen und Lösungen inkl. maximal hoher Systemverfügbarkeit sind der Wissentransfer zur Optimierung von Management, Produktion und Vertrieb wichtig geworden. Heideldruck macht ein Netzwerk verfügbar, das valide Daten aus mehr als 10.000 im Markt installierten Maschinen plus über 15.000 Software-Produkte verfügbar macht, um Benchmarks zu gewährleisten respektive Ideen für Verbesserungen voranzutreiben. Man kann dies „Schwarmintelligenz mit System“ nennen. Denn Heideldruck-Kunden können über ein sicheres Online-Portal auf all diese Daten zugreifen, Heideldruck-Service-Dienstleistungen inklusive Remote-Support abrufen sowie relevante Verbrauchsmaterialien bestellen. Heideldruck betritt mit der zur drupa verfügbaren Neuheit „Heidelberg Assistant“ ein lukratives Feld: Ein System, das als Erweiterung eines E-Shops, quasi wie eine App, Druckereikunden jederzeit einen passgenauen Überblick über empfohlene Wartungen gibt, Serviceanfragen erlaubt oder Verbrauchsmaterialien online bestellen lässt. Dies erfolgt auf Basis von „intelligenten Algorithmen“ um die richtige Menge an Materialbestellung zu empfehlen und bedarfsgerecht sofort zu bestellen. Bis dato kennt man Ähnliches nur im Office-Publishing über die sogenannten Managed Print Services (MPS).

 

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Stephan Plenz präsentiert den ersten Primefire 106-Testdruck. Foto: Heidelberg

Ein echter Knüller: Primefire 106

Neue Technologien von Fujifilm und Heideldruck setzen im Inkjetdruck neue Maßstäbe, verkündete Heideldruck-Vorstand Stephan Plenz, der die Inkjet-Technik-Entwicklung verantwortet und bei der Präsentation der Primefire 106 zu Höchstform auflief. Das Thema ‚Produktionsdruck’ wurde neu definiert. Es gibt kein ‚Entweder-Oder‘ mehr, sondern nur ein „Für-alle-Fälle-gerüstet resp. Sowohl-als-auch“.

Bewusst oder unbewusst, im Anklang an den legendären Apple-Chef Steve Jobs, antwortete Plenz auf die Frage nach einem der Geheimnisse der neuen Maschine, einem neukonzipierten ‚digitalem Druckzylinder‘: „It’s magic!“. Stephan Plenz wie auch das aus Japan angereiste Top-Managment von Fujifilm legten überzeugend dar, dass nunmehr nicht noch eine Inkjet-Maschine auf den Markt geworfen werde, sondern genau diese, die den Anforderungen an industrielle Fertigung gerecht werde, was bis dato nicht der Fall ist.

Dazu wurden in nur 15 Monaten auf Basis gemeinsamer Patente von Heideldruck und Fijifilm u. a. neue Inkjet-Druckköpfe entwickelt, mit Siebenfarbendruck, sowie ein „Conditioning“-System, das erlaubt, nahezu jedes Material bedrucken zu können, ohne das die Tinte ins Papier oder den Karton eindringen muss. Insbesondere dicke Materialien sind möglich. Damit ist von vorne herein eine wichtige Hürde genommen, die bislang Inkjet-Druck im Industrieumfeld bremst: Die Beschränkung auf wenige Papiersorten. Ganz wichtig ist zudem: Innovation zu leisten ist das eine. Technik-Innovationen sinnvoll im Markt zu platzieren, das andere. Heideldruck sucht sich gezielt Einstiegsszenarien aus, um nicht der Verführung der ‚Eierlegendenwollmilchsau‘ zu erliegen. Die neue Primefire-Technik wird zunächst auf bestimmte Segmente im Verpackungsdruck ausgerichtet und soll Ende des Jahres 2016 bereits ausgeliefert werden. Die erste voll funktionsfähige Maschine wird auf der drupa 2016 zu sehen sein. Im Team mit den Klassikern der Speedmaster-Baureihen.

Heideldruck hat die wichtigsten Infos und technischen Details zu seinen Neuheiten per Charts und Presseinfos publiziert. Das genau nachzulesen lohnt sich.

 

Fazit: ‚Indeed, it’s magic.‘ Noch nie war es im Vorfeld einer drupa so spannend wie derzeit. Print neu erfunden und angepasst an die Geschäfts- und Konsumentengewohnheiten im Digitalzeitalter ist exakt, was wir brauchen. Das Heideldruck nunmehr als Phönix aus der Asche abhebt, wird der gesamten Branche gut tun. Und natürlich auch der drupa als globale Leitmesse für Druck und Papier, der es helfen wird, neue Besuchergruppen anzusprechen. Nämlich solche, die Print nicht mehr wahrnehmen, falsch einschätzen oder gar für antiquiert und überkommen halten. — Der Gegenbeweis ist nunmehr erbracht. Print gewinnt im Digitalzeitalter. 

 

 

My very first comment on ‪#‎Heideldruck‬ Primefire 106, a new approach for industrial ‪#‎Inkjet‬ printing business.

 

Hinweis: Wir setzen die Berichterstattung mit einem Interview fort, bei dem Heideldruck-Vorstand Stephan Plenz Rede und Antwort stand. Zusätzlich werden wir die besten Berichte von Kollegen aus aller Welt zusammenfassen, um die Vielfalt im Meinungsspektrum zu zeigen.

HP Love Planet Francois Hollande Paris

The French President François Hollande reading the Love Planet book manufactured by HP Indigo. Photo: HP Inc.

 

Graphic Repro On-line News Review to Friday 12 February 2016

 
Welcome to another week of news highlights which has seen only 30 news items and articles go online since last Monday, including one new addition to our FESPA Newsroom from Esko; plus six in our drupa Newsroom, as we add a new ‘drupa ante portas Blogs’ section from Andreas Weber. We also have the two most recent Laurel Brunner Verdigris environmental Blogs from both Monday and Friday, as Laurel gets back on track. We decided to also include the Monday Blog as our Monday News leader, to remind you of this valuable environmental section on our Website [since 2008], which can be accessed via the Index link at any time. All of Laurel’s Blogs and articles are still accessible in our archives.

Kay financial news leaders this week came from Langley Holdings [Manroland Sheetfed] on Tuesday, reporting that Manroland Sheetfed, the largest of the group’s divisions, was in positive territory for the fourth year in succession following increases in sales and orders; and then on Wednesday from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, which has increased sales and recorded a net profit after taxes in its third financial quarter 2015/2016; and lastly from Sappi, also on Wednesday, which has seen its first quarter profits triple on significantly stronger performance. Wonderful news considering the seriously negative news surrounding major markets and currencies this past week.

drupa 2016 newsroom Multichannel

Thursday saw EFI take the lead at the recent Cevisama 2016 in Valencia, where the manufacturer won the Spanish Society of Ceramics and Glass ‘Alfa de Oro’ award for machinery innovation. You’ll also find a report from Ricoh SA following new Ricoh research, which claims that junk mail is pushing European consumer loyalty to the limits, further citing that 84% of consumers will take action over irrelevant, non-personalised communications. It is a recurring topic which perhaps warrants debate, but we’ve heard it before and nothing much seems to have changed. Antalis took the lead on Friday, as it unveils a new information-packed Website to support customers in the packaging and logistics markets.

As for recent key sales and installations successes, you will several this week led by Durban-based CDR Repro, a printing and production company on Monday, which has doubled its digital printing output with a Xerox J75 press. Then we have Cestrian Imaging UK which has added two EFI Vutek HS Pro high-volume inkjet presses. Tuesday saw a third Muller Martini FlexLiner added at PVS in Austria, as the growing demand for inserts continues to increase. Also Mimaki in the UK for badge and promotional merchandise production at WCM&A.

On Wednesday, KBA reported that Ultimate Paper Box in North America is investing in a third large-format press, a Rapida 145, underscoring its commitment to excellence in fast-growing quality custom packaging; while Potts Print Printers in the UK has selected Fujifilm as its partner for future growth with two Acuity inkjet machines. On Friday, Heidelberg USA reported that the Linoprint CV digital press is providing new business opportunities for customers across the United States; while Heidelberg UK reported that growth in business in both litho and digital services spurred Linoprint CV and Suprasetter CTP investments at Spectrum Printing in Leicester. Last but not least, POLAR reports the installation of its 600th cutter in Russia at  APD printshop in Nizhniy Novgorod.

You’ll find new kit from Kodak on Thursday, as it adds new anti-counterfeiting Thermal Transfer Ribbon for its Kodak Traceless Anywhere protection system; and then from Flint Group on Friday as it equips its flexographic and letterpress platemaking systems with high intensity UV-A lamps of the latest generation.

A tailender from HP this week, as HP Indigo teamed up with Paris Match to deliver a unique Climate Change Initiative first book at the UN COP21 Conference. Please don’t miss the article on Tuesday, which also features President François Hollande of France, viewing the printed ‘Love Planet’ book at COP21 in opulent surroundings.

That’s it. There’s more for you to explore below if you scroll down carefully.

I’ll be back next week around the same time.

With my best regards,

Mike Hilton 

 

Bildschirmfoto 2016-02-15 um 08.06.14

 

Our e-News comprises:  Headline News – Online Feature Articles – the Verdigris initiative from Digital Dots. Our Drupa and FESPA Newsrooms can be accessed from the Index on our Home Page, as well as News in Review, which provides a weekly overview and listing of all news added to the site. 

Headline News
Over 27,000 news items have now gone online since we launched our Website in September 2001. News for the past 24 months can still be accessed via the Home Page and its continuation news pages

Mon 08 Feb…   Environmental Laws: Laurel Brunner’s Verdigris Blog
For Monday 08 February still appears in our Verdigris environmental section. This introduction provides an added reminder and link…

Callas Software in the ECM Solutions Park at CeBIT

CeBIT 2016 14 to 18 March, 2016: Callas Software to focus on digital projects based on ISO PDF/A…

Sign & Digital UK 2016 to enhance visitor experience
New show features announced for April 2016 show at the NEC…

CDR Repro doubles digital output with Xerox
The Durban-based printing and production company has doubled its digital printing output with a Xerox J75 press…

Cestrian Imaging completes dual EFI Vutek purchase
Cestrian Imaging UK increases production levels with two EFI Vutek HS Pro high-volume inkjet presses…

Tue 09 Feb…   Langley Holdings publishes positive 2015 results
Manroland Sheetfed, the largest of the group’s divisions, was in positive territory for the fourth year in succession…

Top topic for 2016: Print in the communications mix
New series of ‘drupa ante portas’ discussions with leading multichannel experts. Introduction and the first four Blogs: by Andreas Weber…

First-ever planet-related photograph petition at COP21
HP Indigo teamed up with Paris Match to deliver a unique Climate Change Initiative first at the UN COP21 Conference…

Muller Martini FlexLiners meet growing demand for inserts

The Muller Martini FlexLiner is a heavy-duty machine for large insert volumes provides efficiency in the mailroom…

WCM&A adds new Mimaki UJF-7151 Plus
British badge and promotional merchandise manufacturer adds UK’s first Mimaki UJF-7151 Plus from distributor CMYUK…

Wed 10 Feb…   Heidelberg announces Third Quarter 2015/2016 results
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG increases sales and records a net profit after taxes in its third financial quarter…

Sappi announces its First Quarter 2015/2016 results
First quarter profits triple on significantly stronger performance…

Esko to feature efficient workflow at FESPA 2016
End-to-end integration aids profitable production for sign, display and wide-format businesses…

Ultimate Paper Box invests in new KBA Rapida 145
Investment in a third large-format KBA press underscores commitment to excellence in fast-growing quality custom packaging…

Potts Print installs UK’s first Fujifilm Acuity F flatbed printer
Potts Print selects Fujifilm as its perfect partner for future growth and installs two Acuity inkjet machines…

Thu 11 Feb…   
EFI Cretaprint wins prestigious Alfa de Oro award
At Cevisama 2016 in Valencia, EFI won the Spanish Society of Ceramics and Glass ‘Alfa de Oro’ award for machinery innovation…

Junk mail pushes European consumer loyalty to breaking point

According to new Ricoh research, 84% of consumers will take action over irrelevant, non-personalised communications…

Kodak expands Traceless Brand Protection system
Kodak adds new anti-counterfeiting Thermal Transfer Ribbon for its Kodak Traceless Anywhere protection system…

Fri 12 Feb…   Antalis Packaging launches new customer-centric Website
Antalis has unveiled a new information-packed Website to support customers in the packaging and logistics markets…

Customers reaping cost-effective benefits of Linoprint

Linoprint CV from Heidelberg provides new business opportunities for customers across the United States…

600th POLAR cutter in Russia installed at APD

APD printshop in Nizhniy Novgorod has installed the 600th POLAR cutter in Russia – a N 137 AT HD model…

Spectrum Printing beefs up CTP and digital press capacity

Growth in business in both litho and digital services spurs Linoprint CV and Suprasetter CTP investments from Heidelberg UK…

Higher intensity Nyloflex and Nyloprint exposures

Flint Group Flexographic Products equips flexographic and letterpress platemaking with high intensity lamps…

Lead article from Friday in last week’s update…

Last Friday’s leads…   drupa cube: The Medici Group to spur out-of-the-box thinking
Best selling author Frans Johansson and other thought leaders to deliver keynotes in the cube during drupa 2016…

GraphicRepro.Net e-News  (ISSN 1814-2923) is sponsored and made possible by:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG  (Heidelberg), The world’s largest printing press manufacturer for the industry worldwide. Heidelberg customers enjoy the most comprehensive and extensive sales and service network in the industry for JDF compliant workflow, computer-to-plate, sheetfed offset, Web-to-print, digital printing, digital inkjet for labels and packaging, packaging and finishing, all with complementary consumables. Heidelberg has offices in around 170 countries. Visit the Heidelberg Website for more information.

drupa 2016 (drupa), the international flagship fair of the printing and media industry, responds to the challenges of the changing market and provides pioneering solutions for the future. This is highlighted by the new marketing and communication strategy where drupa claims its position as ‘No.1 for Print & Crossmedia Solutions’ with the slogan ‘touch the future’. The issues of ‘package printing’, ‘multichannel’, ‘green printing’, ‘3D printing’ and ‘functional printing’ will become increasingly important to the overall communication strategy. To find out more, visit the drupa 2016 Website.

Online Feature articles 2014 – 2015
There were again well over 90 last year, including nine downloads, as well as 92 articles in 2013 which can still be accessed via the Index on the Home Page, with prior years’ via Search Archives (option 2) on the Website.

Technology-related 2016 Chapter 02
You will find 20 current feature articles in this Chapter, with the most recent from Heidelberg.

Previous…   TCL Packaging adopts Water Washable Asahi Plates
TCL Packaging teams with Creation Reprographics and Asahi Photoproducts to deliver premium performance and to challenge gravure…

Online Features 2016 Jan/Feb  Chapter 03

EXCLUSIVE Report…   EFI Connect 2016: Welcome to the Future of Printing
At EFI Connect 2016, EFI revealed its clear and focused picture of the future of printing, and how the company plans to respond to market changes…

Major order for Heidelberg from Atta.45 in Sweden
Swedish print shop invests ?13 million: Biggest part is comprehensive product, service and consumables package….

Verdigris – Environmental Initiative

Laurel Brunner’s weekly Verdigris Blog 2016

Stepping Back to Step Forward
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 12 Feb

Environmental Laws
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Mon 08 Feb

Previous…    Doing It
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Mon 01 Feb

Drupa Newsroom
Our Drupa Newsroom with news from Messe Düsseldorf and for Drupa 2016 can be found in the Index, as well as via the special Newsroom button on the right of the Home Page near the top. It is divided into the following Chapters for your convenience and ease of use…

drupa 2016 Expert Article Series
Can be found in our Drupa Newsroom via the Index on the Home page.

LATEST…   Large Format and Wide Format inkjet printing
Touch the future. Drupa Expert Article No 7 by international independent consultant Sophie Matthews-Paul who has been involved at the start of wide-format developments following their evolution into the devices they are today…

drupa ante portas Blogs 2016

drupa ante portas – Top topic for 2016: Print in the communications mix!
This is a new series of extraordinary conversations with leading multichannel experts. We invite you to read the introduction and the first four discussions / blogs: By Andreas Weber

Highlight topic Multichannel: ‘Individual solutions are in demand’
This is the fifth in this new series of conversations with leading multichannel experts. We also invite you to read the introduction and the first four discussion blogs (above): By Andreas Weber

drupa 2016 News from Messe Düsseldorf

LATEST…   drupa cube: The Medici Group to spur out-of-the-box thinking
Best selling author Frans Johansson and other thought leaders to deliver keynotes in the cube during drupa 2016…

drupa cube: Die Medici Group ist Innovationspartner der drupa

Bestseller-Autor Frans Johannsson und zwei weitere Vordenker halten die Keynotes im cube während der drupa 2016…

Attractive offers for travel and accommodation
Use Print@home and free transport to drupa by bus and train. The online ticket shop opened on 2 January, 2016…

Passende Angebote für Anreise und Unterkunft

Print@home und kostenlos zur drupa mit Bus und Bahn. Online-Ticketshop geöffnet am 2. Januar 2016…

MUST READ…    2nd drupa Global Insights Report Executive Summary
Touch the future – Applications that can create growth. Printfuture (UK) and Wissler & Partner (Switzerland) were appointed by Messe Düsseldorf to conduct these two report series…

drupa 2016 News from Exhibitors
Latest additions can now be accessed in our Drupa Newsroom.

Last time…   Lake Image Systems at drupa 2016 in Hall 11
Lake to showcase a full range of variable data integrity and print quality inspection for packaging, labels and commercial print…

Xerox at drupa 2016 in Hall 8b
Helping print service providers transform and grow…

FESPA Newsroom
The dedicated FESPA Newsroom can be found via the Index on our Home Page.

FESPA Digital 2016 in Amsterdam

Esko to feature efficient workflow at FESPA 2016
End-to-end integration aids profitable production for sign, display and wide-format businesses…

Last time…    J-Teck3’s portfolio of five collections at FESPA
J-Teck3 to showcase its market-leading digital inks for textile and graphics applications at FESPA Digital…

Sawgrass will showcase full portfolio at FESPA Digital
Sawgrass to present award-winning Virtuoso 630mm 8-Colour HD Product Decorating System at FESPA Digital in Amsterdam in March,,,

Kiian to showcase wide variety of textiles at FESPA
Kiian Digital to present diverse applications achievable with its full sublimation range at FESPA Digital…

Mimaki set to inspire Digital Print Heroes at FESPA Digital 2016
The future of digital printing for signs & display graphics and textiles is available today…

European debut for Onyx 12 at FESPA Digital
Onyx Graphics driving ONYX Thrive software at FESPA Digital…

Fujifilm reveals more for FESPA Digital in March
Fujifilm the perfect business partner at FESPA Digital 2016…

FESPA Federation News 2016

Last week…   FESPA Awards gala dinner to showcase incredible talent
Book now for the glittering ceremony which will take place at Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam on Wednesday 9 March 2016…

FESPA Textile partner lineup revealed
8 – 11 March: The biggest textile event with the most comprehensive showcase of digital textile print technologies in Europe this year…

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drupa 2016 highlight Multichannel ENG

By Andreas Weber | Click to access german version

The topic of “multichannel” appears to be extremely complex. For many, it is also complicated. Whatever, by the end of this year at the latest, there will be no way around it – you will have to come to terms with it. And here are three reasons why:

  1. Unsolved problem: “How do I effectively and permanently reach my customers and others who are interested?” 
  2. Shift to customer orientation: “It is no longer ‘it’s the brand that counts’, but the market that counts.”
  3. The new trendsetters IoT & Industry 4.0: “In an interlinked and automated digital world, dialogue is the deciding factor!”

“Nothing stays the same!” said Christian Kopocz, entrepreneur and Executive Director of the international XMPie User Group. “The change driven by technology and consumers increasingly forces information and personal exchange across many other channels — in addition to print, web and e-mail, video content, social media and mobile services have all become relevant. Individual solutions are in demand.”

If you look and listen carefully, the turning away from decades of successful mass communications may not be taking place abruptly, but it is unstoppable and irreversible. Publishing houses are experiencing that, just as are TV stations. And, of course, the printing industry, particularly the sector of commercial printing. Digitalisation is changing everything — every type of business including marketing and communications processes. The Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0 are fast-forwarding automation on all possible levels.

It is worth listening to the experts who have been involved with the development of suitable solutions. “The digital age is the age of the customer. Why? The audience you serve is always interconnected and online,” explained Dr. Jacob Aizikowitz, President of XMPie. He went on to add, “You need to become part of the resulting continual conversation and interlinking. Old-school marketing methods no longer fit in this new scenario. Achieving wide reach and attention through mass media is no longer as successful as it was in the past. Brands are setting the example of how to be involved in a relationship with your customers and others who are interested, and for carrying out an on-going sustained dialogue.”

Holistic View

Source: XMPie, A Xerox Company

 

Everything is changing: Multichannel newly defined!

Up to now, there has been a confusion of terms: Cross-media is the same as multichannel which is the same as omnichannel. What is mostly advocated is that the aim of content marketing is to make content public on as many channels as possible, all at the same time. But that is not at all what it is about, since this scares off the receiver. Jacob Aizikowitz is clear about just what it is that makes multichannel: “It is all down to making it possible for personal, relevant and interactive communication to take place in a creative way, offering touch points at the right time in a mix of digital and print media.” 

Smart service providers are already exploiting this way of thinking, by having successfully transformed their traditional business models. Printers have become media production service providers who, through multichannel services, have evolved into marketing service providers. The side effect: From the skilful interplay with digital printing, diverse opportunities for success arise that first, go beyond booming online printing and second, open up new areas of business and profitable growth.

Renato Vögeli of Vögeli AG in Switzerland explained this as follows: “We understand multichannel communications to be the individual addressing of the target group across various channels in order to reach the individual wherever he or she may be. With that, we can take the target group along on a journey in a mix of online and offline that offers various points of contact.”

His German colleague Patrick Donner, TraffiC Online Print Solutions GmbH, added, “We at TraffiC define multichannel communications quite specifically and very pragmatically: bringing communications from different media together with focus on print, e-mail, web and social media. The aim is to bring about emotional experiences that effectively deliver a haptic sensation via print as well as the speed and round-the-clock availability of digital communication.” For Patrick Donner, individuality in the interlinking of print and online is the key to attracting the interest of the communications partner. “To our way of thinking, multichannel communication creates effective personal experiences as opposed to the ‘one-for-all actions’ that are otherwise customary.”

Christian Kopocz rounds out the reassessment of multichannel communications by summing up what it is really all about: “The customer decides how, when and where he would like to be addressed. For me, multichannel is the communication of relevant content to the preferred channels of the customer!” Both today and tomorrow, service providers are and will be constantly required to think ahead and become pro-active. “I see that as a real mammoth task since up to now, even with multichannel innovations, everything was undertaken in a very linear manner: Investment was made in a new business model that was brought to market and then practically, like a loan repayment, was worked off monthly. Less thought was given to continuous, 100% customer-oriented, sustained development and none at all to it as an investment in the future.” According to Kopocz, the result was often in the form of bad figures. It doesn’t have to be that way at all: “Stay curious and don’t let the contact with your customer flag – that will always take you to your goal!”

 

Note: drupa 2016 will show the latest multichannel solutions and applications. That makes it worth paying a visit to Dusseldorf!

drupa blog — Multichannel (English only)

 

drupa 2016 newsroom Multichannel

drupa 2016 highlights ENG

By Andreas Weber | Click to access german version

 

Seldom has the run-up to drupa as a global trade fair for printing and paper technology been so exciting. Seldom have we been able to conduct so many interesting talks prior to drupa as now. There is hardly any exhibitor who can still afford to have a silo mentality (“My Innovations — My World”). It is rather more a question of “How do we align ourselves in an interlinked world marked by digitalisation?” 

 

Industry leader Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG was one of the first exhibitors to express this when it revealed its new drupa motto “Simply Smart” at its year-end press conference held at the beginning of December 2015. Smart means: Making interlinked, relevant, consistent and interactive new solutions possible for the communication of printed matter at various levels. (See my commentary and real-time report “Heideldruck 4.0: Zurück in die Zukunft | Back to the future”.)

Value Blog Dialog Harald Weimer 12-2015 ENG.001

 

The smartly chosen highlight themes of drupa 2016 point the way ahead. And emphasise a greatly expanded range of products to be exhibited: In addition to the “standards” Print and Packaging as well as Green Printing, there are now 3D Printing, Functional Printing and Multichannel.

If you thoroughly reflect on these themes, you will come to the realisation that they do not introduce a new silo mentality. On the contrary. Multichannel pervades all the themes of drupa 2016, since it is what defines the basic principle of how innovations need to be staged. Packaging, 3D Printing and Functional Printing open up completely new business opportunities that make the drupa this year more attractive than ever for new target groups. The novelty: The new opportunities call for a new type of cooperation among technology providers, their users and their customers (brand companies/commercial enterprises, organisations, etc.).

MSD_Banner_257_drupa2016_48_619x180_US-Static1

 

“Time for a Change: Touch the Future NOW!”

Our focus in the coverage and commentary will be oriented to the above-mentioned new understanding of drupa 2016. First, with a 100% multichannel approach in trade communication through ValuePublishing. Second, through addressing new target groups in the culture and creative industries — with annual revenues of €146 billion — as the key innovation drivers for the economy as a whole.

We will be providing highly topical content in real time on all the drupa highlight themes. As for the technology trends in print and packaging, the latest digital printing applications will receive our full attention. Finishing and innovative solutions in paper technology are also relevant when it comes to the success of print in the communications mix.

We are having an exciting time analysing the types of themes and activities that certain exhibitors will be able to muster up. There are bound to be some surprises in this area. That HP with its Graphic Solution Business division, for instance, may end up for the first time being the biggest exhibitor. Or that, if we consider our analyses from the Canon Expo 2015, imaging specialist Canon may very well be the only exhibitor to cover all six drupa highlight themes!

It will also be extremely revealing to know what impact the split of the Xerox Corporation into two companies will have and how its claim to leadership will be represented. In any case, with its subsidiary XMPie, Xerox is the trendsetter in multichannel innovations.

We already published a series of extraordinary conversations with leading multichannel experts. Please click and read:

  1. ValueDialog with Jacob Aizikowitz, XMPie President:
    Multichannel leads to sustainable business success in the digital age! 
  2. ValueDialog with Christian Kopocz, Multichannel Entrepreneur und Executive Director XMPie User Group (XUG)Multichannel ensures relevance!
  3. ValueDialog with Patrick Donner, TraffiC Print Online Solutions GmbH:
    New take on multichannel communications: “There is no either/or!”
  4. ValueDialog with Renato Vögeli, Vögeli AG Medienproduktion & Druck:
    Multichannel turns communication into a personal experience!

More and up-to-the-minute news coming soon. The excitement is growing – and we’re excited, too, because: drupa ante portas!

 

XMPie Jacob Key Visual.001

 

Our pre-drupa coverage highlights are as follows:

  • Daily tweets/posts on LinkedIn, XING (German Section Digital Printing Forum) Facebook, Google Plus as well as Twitter via @ValueCommAG and @zeitenwende007.
  • Weekly overview of global innovations in print and publishing, in association with our ValuePublishing partner Mike Hilton, Editor-in-Chief, Graphic Repro On-Line via the ValueBlog. See:
  • A series of dozens of exclusive interviews with top-class drupa exhibitors. (See sample, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Harald Weimer, Member of the Management Board).
  • Expert commentary and talks on trends and prospects from the trade fair visitors’ point of view.
  • Live reports from selected exhibitor press conferences as well as from the drupa media week, March 1 and 2, 2016 in Dusseldorf.
  • Commentary on current market data of the VDMA, Printing and Paper Technology Section, on April 4, 2016 at an exclusive meeting of experts in Frankfurt am Main.

 

Bildschirmfoto 2016-02-08 um 11.53.56