E-business @ print : Internet-based services and processes

The Internet has opened up exciting new opportunities for print media companies, enabling information to be processed for both paper and online output. It also offers new possibilities for print media companies to work increasingly closely with customers and production partners. The author provides a comprehensive overview of the new services that are now available and the new processes that the Internet enables. The reader is systematically guided through the various specialist terms, and numerous examples are used to illustrate possible applications, e.g. online editing systems, Web-based project management tools and online tracking of print jobs. The subject is examined from two different perspectives – from the aspect of the company using e-business to improve its own processes, and from the angle of the print media service provider offering his customers e-business services and using these in the production process. The book thus offers practical support when deciding which applications promise to deliver the greatest benefit for the reader’s specific circumstances. It is therefore an essential reference work for decision makers in all business environments. The Internet has created new business areas for the graphic arts industry: Information is formatted to be published both on paper and on-line and new forms of cooperation with customers and co-producers develop. The author gives a broad review of new services and processes, the Internet has made possible. The reader gains insight into the existing diversity of notions and concepts. Various examples shed light on specific applications such as online editing systems, Web-based project management tools, and online-tracking of print processes. Two viewpoints are being considered: The viewpoint of the entrepreneur who introduces electronic business concepts to optimize the company's processes, and the viewpoint of the service provider supplying e-business services. The book enables business executives to make sound decisions on which solution promises the maximum benefit to respond to specific business challenges. Thus it is an indispensible guide for business executives in the graphic arts industry. TOC:Introduction.- New Products and Services.- Process Efficieny through Customer Integration.- Data Format Standards.- PDF/X-3.- JDF.- XML.- Process Efficiency through Self Service: Self-Directed Customers.- Online Calculation.- Placing Orders Online.- Remote Preflight.- Web Printing.- Order Tracking.- Archiving Orders and Offerings.- Stock Reporting Systems.- Online Ordering Systems.- Process Efficiency within Cooperations.- Customers as Co-Producers.- Changes and Releases.- Online Editing Systems.- Remote Proofing.- Electronic Business for Purchasers.- Online Market Places.- Order Management Systems.- Electronic Business for Printers.- Marketing and Distribution.- Procurement.- Conclusion.- Glossary.- Index Theshipshears onthrough billowing seas Carried on tempest’s wings with ease A cry of joy goes up from fore and aft: “Our destination is within our grasp!” But the helmsman’s words are lost in the throng: “We’ve been sailing in circles all along.” Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach This book has been written as an aid to anyone in the print media industry, be they managers or customers, who is looking to steer their business into calmer waters in what are stormy times. New technologies offer tremendous opportunities for innovation and process improvement – but only if we understand the fundamental principles behind them. This is the goal of this book. To this end, we will be looking at how best to network the print media industry with its customers, production partners and suppliers. This networking process covers the production data that can be transferred entirely digitally as far as the press stage, i. e. the digital page to be printed (referred to below as the “technical work?ow”), but also the information, communication and interaction processes which take place before, during and after production, e. g. details of the print run or the planned delivery date (referred to below as the “business management work?ow”). Inter-company networking of the various market players using Internet technology is known as “e-business” in commercial and management circles. Customers Print media Suppliers companies Production partners Figure 1 Persons involved in a production process Preface V "The Internet has opened up new opportunities for print media companies, enabling information to be processed for both paper and online output. It also offers new possibilities for print media companies to work increasingly closely with customers and production partners." "The author provides a comprehensive overview of the new services that are now available and the new processes that the Internet enables. The reader is systematically guided through the various specialist terms, and numerous examples are used to illustrate possible applications, e.g. online editing systems, Web-based project management tools and online tracking of print jobs." "The subject is examined from two different perspectives - from the aspect of the company using e-business to improve its own processes, and from the angle of the print media service provider offering his customers e-business services and using these in the production process. The book thus offers practical support when deciding which applications promise to deliver the greatest benefit for the reader's specific circumstances. It is therefore an essential reference work for decision makers in all business environments."--Jacket Introduction....Pages 1-3 New Products and Services....Pages 5-28 Enhancing Process Efficiency by Integrating Customers in Production....Pages 29-75 E-business for Buyers....Pages 77-85 E-business for Printshops....Pages 87-107 Conclusion....Pages 109-109 E-business (electronic business) is the provision of electronic support for all business, interactive and communication processes between the various market players using electronic networks.