Validated proofs and simplified print-to-web workflow

Kehl (Germany) – CA Communication, a leading French independent marketing services group, is using Dalim Software solutions to improve its print-to-web productivity. Dalim Software’s DALiM TWiST intelligent workflow, suggested by resellers and integrators Espace Diffusion and Galilée, Folio Group members, provided the ideal solution. As a result of the successful implementation CA Communication then placed another order for a Dalim Software product: SWiNG Studio Pro.

The original problem consisted of being able to supply CA Communication’s print service providers with a validated proof and making the print-to-web process more fluid (i.e. re-purposing print files used for Internet applications). To this end, it was vital to solve the prepress problems. “We saw demonstrations of the software and decided initially to install DALiM TWiST at our head office," says Frédéric Sanuy, Production Director at CA Communication.

Cutting-edge prepress workflow
CA Communication produces over 9,000 catalogues a year, which are subdivided into food, office equipment, themed and seasonal catalogues. The company was founded in 1990 and now operates from several sites across Europe in line with its client-centred philosophy. In addition to its headquarters in Paris, it has offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux, Metz, Agen, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lisbon and Milan, as well as a photo studio in Poland. CA Communication has a wide range of resources in image management and photocomposition, call centre technology, photoengraving and imaging, direct marketing and Internet technologies.

CA Communication’s roots are in the food industry; the need to communicate about products and promote sales led the company to form its own communications department. Today, CA Communication works with major groups, in particular wholesaler Metro Cash & Carry, which it represents exclusively in France. Its client portfolio also includes Leclerc, Auchan, Carrefour and Bricorama, amongst others.

CA Communication meets its clients' catalogue and product requirements. It takes on the editing of PDF and TIFF/IT files for possible reuse on the web via a dedicated interface, and also edits the catalogues. The catalogues and editing are put together at a national and regional level, and each shop in its client chains is free to use the content. “The agency puts the reality of print-to-web into practice by offering the client the possibility of distributing its catalogues both interactively and by offering the native Xpress file via Quark Server technology," points out Frédéric Sanuy.
 
Three-fold investment
CA Communication has made significant investments in Dalim Software’s solutions, purchasing DALiM TWiST with options and two FolioSwing Studio Pro packages, based on DALiM TWiST technology.

“As soon as we installed our first DALiM TWiST solution from Dalim Software, we solved one problem with the on-the-fly conversion of a printed page for reuse on the web. This print-to-web function has saved us a great deal of time. For example, we can provide the interactive Metro catalogue in record time using the super compression function. What’s more, DALiM TWiST’s In and Out hot folder management is very simple.”

CA Communications also wanted to produce TIFF/IT and PDF (secure PDF/P2 and PDF Plus) graphic files. It therefore replaced its old systems, which had become obsolete, with the DALiM TWiST-based FolioSwing. “With Dalim Software’s solutions, we can immediately produce completely secure PDF/P2 2005 files with rasterised images and vectorised text,” explains Frédéric Sanuy. “Our aim is to produce all of our PDFs in DALiM TWiST, as we can send the PDFs directly to their destination. DALiM TWiST turns into a solution that can communicate with any type of technology via hot folders, whether it be OPI or Quark Server,” he adds.

Dalim Software’s secure file optimisation technology enables users to provide digital graphic files that comply fully with the specifications required by clients, immediately after their approval. “FolioSwing, which is based on DALiM TWiST, is a unique tool that allows for the production of PDF files from a wide range of formats (PostScript level 1, 2 or 3, DCS 1.0 or 2.0, PDF level 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3 (2001 and 2003), PDF/X-Plus, Pass4Press and PDF/P2, as well as TIFF/IT) for the transfer of files for fully secure production," explains Isabelle Billerey-Rayel, Business Development Director for Dalim Software.

In Bordeaux, CA Communication is gradually rolling out the DALiM TWiST-based FolioSwing. The solution being implemented is a fixed but not restrictive workflow, given the diversity of the PDF files to be produced. Although production is limited to 40 files per hour, this is sufficient to meet current needs, and in the event of excess demand, the solution deployed in Paris is available via VPN and can produce 300 files per hour.

A second order for the DALiM TWiST-based FolioSwing has followed on the implementation of the first two Dalim Software solutions to act as a back-up system.

Upgradeable Dalim Software solutions
“We can move on with our business and the investments made in the Dalim Software solutions are to some extent permanent,” says Frédéric Sanuy.

Thus, for the creation of interactive web catalogues, CA Communication offers its clients its own interactive catalogue solution starting with the DALiM TWiST-based PDFs, converting them into Pyramid TIFF files and sending them to its own server dedicated to interactive flash catalogues. Previously, prepress work was carried out externally; today, the company manages over 70 personalised workflows: web, print, mixed and printers.  It has become a print production hub.

“Dalim Software’s solutions are modern tools that allow for dialogue between modules. The open technology used in Dalim Software products means that they can communicate perfectly. Dalim Software has taken over from the modern "print-to-web" server RIP solutions," concludes Frédéric Sanuy.