At this event, take a look at some of the great new products we have lined up for 2013 :

- Caldera’s Version 9.10, our production oriented RIP software dedicated to wide and extra-wide format Print and Print-to-Cut applications.

- Flow+, our complete software solution for organizing and running a Wide Format Printing Business, from quote to delivery
(Read more about Flow+)

- Variable Display, our intuitive and easy to use digital signage solution for traditional LFP professionals, which will also be displayed in the Digital Signage Area (booth #1336)
(Read more about Variable Display)

- InkPerformer, an innovative ink saving module (up to 30%)
(Read more about InkPerformer)

- PrintBoard, a dynamic display solution to monitor your production
(Read more about Printboard)

We are very excited for ISA, Las Vegas 2013 and hope to see you there!

Cet article Come see us at Sign Expo 2013 est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

The standalone PrintBoard package will include the Variable Display media player with a ‘light’ Variable Display software licence, the PrintBoard plug-in for just €995. This will enable the user to monitor up to five contents per server, plus the PrintBoard session, with the option to upgrade to the full version of Variable Display for €495.

Variable Display Printboard

PrintBoard displays information such as the daily square metre production rate, the rate per printing device, the percentage of production per printer and per type of printer and the number of errors per day, alongside the sequence of jobs lined up for each device. This allows for an at-a-glance overview of the workload, and makes it easy for production managers to order jobs for optimum efficiency and productivity.

“Our customers told us that they wanted a more visible monitoring solution that would enable them to be more proactive in driving efficiency, so we came up with PrintBoard,” explains Joseph Mergui, CEO Caldera. “It makes use of data that is already generated by the RIP and displays it in an intuitive format that can be shown anywhere: on the print shop floor, in the office – even in their reception area. Once again Caldera is demonstrating the forward-thinking approach to printing that we know our users value highly.”

Printboard on Ipad

The web-based platform-independent PrintBoard solution can be accessed from anywhere, including mobile devices like the iPad and Android tablets. The Variable Display management software is easy to use, even for those with no previous experience of using digital signage systems, and the hardware is able to drive any kind of digital display while its compact design allows it to be installed discreetly almost anywhere. Caldera is confident that when PSPs experience the ease of using Variable Display with PrintBoard for themselves, they will realise the value of being able to offer Variable Display as an add-on product to their own customers.

“Variable Display was initially developed as a digital signage solution for wide-format PSPs to offer alongside their printed products,” Serge Clauss, Product Sales Manager, Caldera. “That it is also offers a great way to monitor production with the PrintBoard plug-in is a bonus. We see great potential for PSPs to expand into digital signage with Variable Display, and we’re sure that once they see how powerful the technology can be in their own businesses, they will want to capture a slice of the market for themselves.”

The PrintBoard package is now available from Caldera partners.

Cet article PrintBoard, production monitoring display package est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

During the tradeshow, the Caldera team that will count two technicians, an area sales manager and a marketing person will be at the service of the visitors to explain the benefits of the different Caldera products and to do live demos of Caldera software.

Among the products that will be presented are the version 9.10 of the RIP, with new modules such as Print Standard Verifier, which allows the PSP to check his production processes according to the FOGRA and ISO standards; InkPerformer, an innovative module that optimizes the ink consumption; and Variable Display, the first signage solution for the printing industry to interact with the RIP.

For more information, visit the booth #E 514 at Graphispag in Barcelona, from April 17th to 20th. The Caldera team will give you a full demo of the products and kindly help you with your future large format printing projects.

Cet article Caldera at Graphispag est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Vendor Show In Dallas on January 17^th & 18^th

Cet article Come see us at FastSigns, Dallas ! est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Cet article Happy new year ! est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

“We are delighted to congratulate our partners on their SGIA Product of the Year awards,” says Joseph Mergui, CEO, Caldera. “Some categories saw stiff competition, and so it’s a privilege for Caldera to have been the driving force behind nearly all of the winners. It is proof of how versatile and robust our software is that it is able to power wide-format machines of all sizes and a variety of technologies to success for these esteemed honours.”

With wins in both the ‘Grand Format Roll-to-Roll Solvent and Latex Inks’ and ‘Poster Size – Solvent/Latex Printers <96″‘ categories, Mutoh’s high-speed ValueJet series stole the show. Coupled with the streamlined performance of the Caldera RIP engine, the ValueJet 1638 and 2638 offer exceptionally efficient production.

The HP Scitex FB500, the judges’ favourite of the ‘Flat-Bed – Rigid White Ink UV <$200k MSRP’ hopefuls, was described as ‘dependable’ and ‘robust’ by the panel, which also highlighted the ability to print and load media simultaneously. Multi-tasking is also inherent in the Caldera RIP and its powerful performance is the ideal partner for a workhorse like the FB500.

Durst’s Rho P10 250 took home the award in the ‘Flat-Bed – Rigid Substrate UV >$200k MSRP’ category for its ‘remarkable’ versatility, productivity and high-resolution output at 1,000dpi, matched by Caldera’s RIP solutions.

Cet article Caldera powers SGIA Product of the Year winners to victory est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Caldera v9.10 has been developed above all to improve reliability, stability and compliancy, with performance-enhancing tweaks to help drive productivity and efficiency, as well as helping users meet the ever-increasing demand for their output to conform to recognised standards. CopyRIP, VisualRIP, VisualRIP+ and GrandRIP+ will all benefit from the upgrades along with a number of Caldera’s popular add-on modules, including cutting and colour management solutions.

“This update includes some very significant improvements to our RIP solutions,” says Frederic Soulier, Chief Technical Officer, Caldera. “We have put standards compliance at the heart of this release to help print businesses of all sizes take advantage of increased process control easily, improving their output quality and profitability as a result. The productivity gains possible with APPE 2.6, and the new tools and features we have added, make this our most comprehensive and efficient solution to date.”

Process Standard Verifier

An important development for standards-driven print businesses is the new Process Standard Verifier feature for FOGRA Process Standard Digital (PSD) and Process Standard Offset (PSO). For use with Caldera’s colour profiling solution EasyMedia, the Process Control option allows the printing and measuring of standardised colour reproduction charts from within the Print or EasyMedia interfaces. The module also delivers compliancy reports for ISO 12647-2, ISO 12647-7, ISO 12647-8, PSD Absolute and PSD Relative to ensure conformity to FOGRA standards in their printing processes.

A further EasyMedia update allows PSPs to create profiles that take optical brighteners into account. The Optical Brightness Compensation (OBC) works seamlessly with suitable spectrophotometers, such as the X-Rite i1 Pro2 or Caldera ColorPad, to incorporate classic chart measurement, OBC measurement, greyscale chart print and measurement and visual correction with the chosen illuminant. Caldera’s TotalColor or Swing devices can also be used with the addition of a physical filter.

All Caldera RIP solutions will now benefit from the integration of the Adobe PDF Print Engine 2.6 for more consistent and productive printing. The latest APPE helps to streamline production of complex documents and offers improved compatibility with Acrobat, as well as better font support. Caldera v9.10 also supports a Raster2PDF function, which improves processing of raster files by utilising APPE 2.6 and removes the size limitations for some raster file formats, especially TIFF.

The VisualCUT+ module also sees a number of enhancements, such as an improved graphic user interface (GUI), a new preview mode with tools such as zoom and contour selection, the ability to save custom cutting parameters and new cut drivers. In addition, the optional Caldera Textile Step & Repeat tool offers an integrated solution for the printing of seamlessly repeating textiles or other graphic patterns, and now includes a ‘Detect drop’ function to apply the correct shift for pattern repetition automatically.

VariableDisplay PrintBoard

Caldera v9.10 also offers PSPs the opportunity to monitor production from the print show floor using Variable Display, Caldera’s digital signage solution. With the optional Print Board plug-in, data is extracted from the Caldera RIP and displayed on a screen so that key production information – such as which jobs are in progress, or the number of square metres processed each day – is available to all employees.

Also new for v9.10 is the ability to collate multiple-page prints, with users able to choose either assembled printing to repeat the sequence of pages from first to last, or to print all copies of one page followed by all the copies of the next page and so on.

Japanese language support is now integrated in Caldera v9.10, and extensive Japanese support documentation has also been made available.

“Caldera v9 was very well received across the industry and we are building on its success with this update,” explains Joseph Mergui, CEO, Caldera. “Version 9.10 represents a great step forward for wide-format print producers, particularly when it comes to standards compliance. Our mission is always to make printing better and easier for our users and we believe we have achieved this aim in the new release.“

Cet article Caldera aims to set the standard with version 9.10 release est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

French software developer Caldera is celebrating winning a Best of 2012 award at last month’s Viscom Frankfurt show with its InkPerformer module. The ink consumption management tool impressed the awards’ judging panel with the ‘considerable potential savings‘ the software offers, while also helping print business take a step towards more sustainable production.

InkPerformer, created in conjunction with Alwan Color Expertise, is a ground-breaking solution that allows PSPs to not only monitor but also control their ink consumption for optimal ink economy without compromising on output quality.

Caldera won an award for InkPerformer

“We are truly delighted that InkPerformer has been recognised by the Viscom jury as one of the top products to have been launched in 2012,” says Sebastien Hanssens, Vice President Marketing, Caldera. “It is testament to our hard work, and our collaboration with Alwan, that InkPerformer won the software award and we feel the product really deserved it. It is always foremost in our development strategy to create products that make printing more rewarding for our users, and it is edifying when they are then independently acknowledged to do so by industry experts.”

Launched in May this year, InkPerformer is an option for version 9 of Caldera’s RIP solutions that sits in the print workflow before the RIP process and allows users to determine the required level of ink saving, and the threshold at which black is allowed to replace other ink colours in the print. As the Viscom jury noted, this simple adjustment can realise reductions of between 20 and 35 percent of the typical ink laydown, thus offering significant financial and environmental savings for PSPs and paying for itself within weeks.

Cet article An award for InkPerformer at Viscom est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Gaston Giudice

Mr. Giudice  is an experienced bilingual Digital Printing sales professional with extensive business development experience in Latin American markets and was formerly General Director of Visualtech in Argentina . Mr. Giudice will be based in Buenos Aires, where he will develop and maintain Caldera RIP & Workflow solution  accounts throughout Latin America.

Caldera continues to increase its focus on global markets, particularly Latin America. “Several countries, such as Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Peru, are experiencing increased demand for print-to-cut and integrated workflow solutions like Caldera offers,” says Caldera  CEO, Joseph Mergui. “We’re enthusiastic about our growth potential and are pleased to have Gaston on board to help us better serve Latin American customers.”

The new arrivals of Edil Paes (Brazil) and Daniel Corona (Mexico) will also strengthen Caldera’s support and training staff. Both have extensive IT experiences and will help to give partners more extensive support in their native tongue of Brazilian and Spanish.

Cet article Arrival of Gaston Giudice est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Meet Caldera at our partners’ booths: IMAGEX (X 241), GRÁFICA ASIA (X 75) y GIT (X 91).

Discover the new Caldera V9 and all of our RIP and workflow solutions during the software demonstrations at our partners’ booths all along these 4 days and meet Florence Pierre and Leticia Knobloch from Caldera who will gladly answer all of your questions about Caldera and its products.

Looking forward to see you!

GRAFINCA Perú del 20 al 23 de setiembre del 2012

Visite CALDERA en los stands de IMAGEX (X 241), GRÁFICA ASIA (X 75) y GIT (X 91) del 20 al 23 de setiembre del 2012 en el Centro de Convenciones del Jockey Plaza

Descubra Caldera V9 y todas nuestras soluciones de RIPeo y workflow durante las demostraciones de los software Caldera en los stands de nuestros distribuidores y reúnase con Florence Pierre y Leticia Knobloch de Caldera que estarán presentes para resolver todas sus dudas y discutir sobre nuestros productos.

¡Los Esperamos!

Cet article Grafinca Peru est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Meet Caldera at our partners’ booths: Papelerías Lozano (booth E20 and E25), DTTEC (booth E28), and Gandy Digital & Fauna (booth F30). Daniel Corona and Carlos Rodas from Caldera will gladly answer all of your questions about Caldera and its products.

We are looking forward to see you!

FESPA México del 20 al 22 de setiembre del 2012

Visítenos en los stands de nuestros distribuidores: Papelerías Lozano (stand E20 y E25), DTTEC (stand E28), y Gandy Digital & Fauna (stand F30). Daniel Corona y Carlos Rodas de Caldera estarán presentes para resolver todas sus dudas y discutir sobre nuestros productos.

¡Los Esperamos!

Cet article Come see us at Fespa Mexico est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Flow+ Dashboard

The Flow+ team, which recently welcomed Serge Clauss as its new Workflow Sales Manager, has been working to improve and fine-tune Caldera’s flagship workflow software based on customer feedback and believes the additional functionality in the latest version offers one of the most comprehensive solutions available to the industry in a sleek and updated interface.

“We know that simplified end-to-end sales and production processes are becoming more and more important to wide-format businesses as raw materials costs rise and margins are squeezed,” says Serge Clauss. “For many of our customers, Flow+ is a business-critical investment. That’s why the additions to the latest version make it work harder for them on every level.”

Improvements in the quoting system include a more flexible quotation builder, designed to assist companies implementing an MIS for the first time by allowing the creation of quotes with a free text field. This will enable sales teams to learn and adjust to the Flow+ system more gradually, whilst also making for a smoother and quicker integration. In addition, the quoting wizard has been enhanced, meaning that groups of finishing processes can be added to a job. For example, a ‘Banner Finishing’ group could contain ‘pocket sewing’ and ‘eyelet positioning’, helping to prevent work being done without being invoiced.

The CRM module has also benefited from a number of improvements, including better filtering of customer information to help the sales team identify existing clients and leads to be followed up. A list of pending quotes can be called up easily and also exported in a Microsoft Excel format for sales team meetings. Information filtering options have been extended throughout Flow+, putting the right information in the user’s hands when they need it.

Flow+ login screen

A host of new tools have been introduced for Flow+ 1.6 to make planning resources and monitoring production even more intuitive. The daily inventory report can now be exported for analysis, as can overviews on production load, showing how many of which types of job have been scheduled, filtered by device. Similarly, a Job Life Cycle report summarises a job from start to finish and helps production managers identify potential efficiency savings. A further new reporting tool offers the ability to track the amount of time a job spends in pre-press, helping pre-press managers improve productivity.

Another invaluable new tool is the Installation Planning feature, which helps users schedule installations for each job in the system. Deadlines can be set and sub-contractors assigned for each project, and jobs can be grouped together for improved efficiency.

The entire user experience has been given an overhaul too, with a completely modified engine built for faster responses even when the system is overloaded, a sleek, modern new user interface and added Spanish language support.

“Our mission at Caldera is to make printing easier for everyone and this newest release of Flow+ is a great example of our commitment to this,” says Sébastien Hanssens, vice-president of marketing for Caldera. “Collectively, these small improvements will make a huge difference to our customers using Flow+, by providing the tools and systems they need to become more efficient as simply as possible.”

You can also discover our new dedicated website for Flow+ : www.flowplus.fr

Cet article Caldera to debut Flow+ 1.6 at SGIA est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Variable Display – Playlist Edition

Wide-format software specialist Caldera has announced the latest version of its digital signage software designed for wide-format print houses, Variable Display 2. The latest updates include improvements to the scheduling functions and a number of new advanced settings, as well as a new plug-in, which will allow print houses to use Variable Display (variable display website) as a dashboard to follow their activity from the production floor.

Variable Display, which was unveiled last year at FESPA 2011 in Hamburg, was designed as a low-cost digital signage solution combining the qualities of printed and dynamic content as an add-on sales product for large-format PSPs. With a specification list that includes control from multiple operating systems as well as smartphone apps, and the ability to drive screens on several different sites through one interface, Variable Display’s power and ease-of-use was endorsed by Viscom Düsseldorf in 2011, at which Caldera’s solution was used to power all the event’s screens.

Variable Display – Planning

“Since we first launched Variable Display, we’ve had a great response from printers wanting to expand their offering,” explains Sébastien Hanssens, vice-president for marketing, Caldera. “Now they can offer a whole package of marketing materials to a client including a digital signage solution that is quick to set up and simple to use. The latest upgrades offer added functionality to the original user-friendly product, offering wide-format houses a unique solution to help them access the potentially lucrative new world of digital signage.”

VariableDisplay PrintBoard

An interesting new development for Variable Display 2.0 is the Print Board plug-in, the first display solution of its kind to interact directly with a RIP engine. The plug-in will allow users of Caldera’s RIP software to show an overview of their production activity on a screen for all employees to see, with information including which files have recently been added to the spooler, and the number of square metres processed daily by the RIP.

Enhancements to the AIR interface comprise a large part of the upgrade, including the ability to create users with different permissions. Users will also have greater control over planning and scheduling their playlists and content. A new calendar interface will enable drag-and-drop playlist scheduling, to make planning and implementing campaigns quicker and simpler. The conflict detection system has also been improved to reduce the potential for scheduling clashes.

Each player now also has its own web interface with advanced settings such as the ability to alter network settings, reboot or shut down the device and change passwords. Additionally, the web interface allows the user to define the area of the screen that the player will use – a helpful feature when using outdoor and indoor LED billboards – and the x and y co-ordinates of the playlist frame.

Other new user-focused features include the addition of tooltips, plus the sorting and filtering of content within the AIR interface. The ability to send multiple files to the server is also new in Variable Display 2.0, as is the improved installation process: the user is now able to display the IP address, subnet mask and name of a box by plugging in a USB mass storage key.

Cet article Variable Display 2.0 with plug-in est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

[update 01/08/12]

New version of Caldera V9 DVD is now available, bringing support for Mac OS 10.8 “Mountain Lion”.
If you are already using Caldera V9 and you are not concerned about Mac OS 10.8 system, there is no use downloading the version 9.00-A.

Caldera users who upgraded their Mac OS to version 10.8 have to download and install Caldera V9.00-A DVD
There is no specific patch.

WARNING : The V9 requires a specific license key.

[original message]

Dear customers using Mac OS,
In a few weeks a new version of Mac OS will be released (Mac OS 10.8 Mountain Lion).
Caldera V9 doesn’t support this new version.
YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT UPDATE THE CURRENT CALDERA INSTALLATIONS TO THIS NEW VERSION, otherwise the Caldera software will become inoperative.
The Caldera DVD will refuse to be installed on the new version.
You will have to erase the disk to come back to a previous version of Mac OS for it to be reinstalled.
Rest assured that we are making every effort to release as quickly as possible a new version of the Caldera DVD that can be installed on Mac OS 10.8.
Thank you for your understanding,
The Caldera development team

Cet article [update] Caution to mac os users est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

CALDERA ANNOUNCES HKS AND NCS COLOUR LIBRARY INTEGRATION

Recognising the requirements of graphic arts producers to work faithfully within the native colour spaces of their client base, renowned RIP and workflow software developer Caldera now offers extended colour matching capability with the integration of HKS and NCS colour libraries into version 9 of its flagship RIP packages.

Complementing the Pantone and RAL colour systems already incorporated in all Caldera solutions, the inclusion of the HKS and NCS libraries in GrandRIP+ and VisualRIP+  ensures accurate colour matching for Caldera users all over the world, and particularly in  countries where these colour references are used as standard.

HKS is a colour reference used broadly across Europe, conceived through collaboration between German companies: Hostmann-Steinberg Druckfarben, Kast + Ehinger Druckfarben and H. Schminke and Co. The 3000+ N and K libraries integrated into GrandRIP+ and VisualRIP+ provide 3,250 spot colours for uncoated and gloss art papers respectively.

Based on the euroscale colour space, the HKS system follows the guidelines of ISO 12647:2 2002 and conforms to FOGRA standards.

Natural Colour System – better known as NCS – is the national standard colour reference for Sweden, Norway, Spain and South Africa and one of the most popular libraries for the interior design and textile markets. The library of 1,950 colours has been selected through an intensive research and development process to represent the best distribution of the ten million colours the human eye can perceive and is designed to work with any material.

«Our customers are experts in colour, but have previously been confined by software solutions that have only a limited range of color spaces» explains Joseph Mergui, CEO, Caldera. «Caldera remains committed to driving quality by allowing print producers to work with their customers colour requirements, which means working to incorporate best-of-breed reference systems such as NCS and HKS.»

Cet article HKS and NCS integration est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Caldera is proud to join more than 700 leading businesses world-wide as a member of Fogra, the highly respected German-based research institute for the promotion of standards and technology in the graphic arts.

Best known for its offset printing certification, Process Standard Offset (PSO), Fogra is also leading the charge for standardization in the digital printing arena, being actively involved in the development of an ISO standard for the industry. Process Standard Digital (PSD) is Fogra’s own benchmark and forms the basis for the ISO 15311 standard currently being researched by the ISO 130 technical committee, for which Fogra provides the chairman.

Caldera has included a number of solutions with version 9 of its RIP software designed to help users check their compatibility with Fogra’s standards. With this capability, users can assure their clients that the output they produce consistently conforms to internationally-recognised standards of quality.

Caldera’s popular EasyMedia colour management and calibration option for CopyRIP, VisualRIP and GrandRIP includes a Gamut Viewer tool, with which printers can compare their current profile with the Fogra39 profile.

The tool uses Caldera’s 2D and 3D gamut viewers to check whether the current gamut entirely reflects the Fogra profile: if it does, it is fully Fogra compatible.

Easymedia interface

EasyMedia also offers a Color Analysis tool which allows the user to visualize the percentage of Fogra colours included in their profile. The tool also measures the difference between expected and actual colour output, known as a delta-E measurement.

«Accurate and consistent colour reproduction is the holy grail for producers of display materials, particularly those printing for brands with instantly recognisable corporate colours» explains Frédéric Soulier, Chief Technical Officer, Caldera. «Many print buyers will already recognise and demand Fogra’s offset standards, so digital print providers who are able to prove their adherence to Fogra’s digital standards will be a step ahead of the competition. By becoming a member of Fogra and integrating its characterisation sets and profiles into our software, Caldera is once again demonstrating its commitment to offering the best print experience to its customers.»

Cet article Fogra Digital certification est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

By using the Roll Workflow mode, Caldera’s new driver (revision b) allows users to print all the jobs’ A side while the B sides are kept in the Spooler. The B sides can then be printed in one click once the roll has been turned over. The Roll Workflow mode makes a perfect match between each A side and its B side.

This feature allows users to choose, for each job using the workflow:

• to send the B side to the Spooler. The B side is then automatically created from the A side image: turned and mirrored if needed.
• to manually and successively send the A then the B side.

Find all Caldera results on the HP website for the Designjet L26500 and the Designjet L28500 certifications.

Caldera drivers, including the new Roll Workflow mode (revision b), need the Misc-1 patch for Caldera V9 to be effective. You can download them on our extranet.

Cet article L26500 & L28500 certifications est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Wide-format printing software specialist Caldera is celebrating the inclusion of 13 of its partners on Wide-Format Imaging’s Top 40 Shops list for 2012. The respected list of the best US print shops saw six Caldera users make it into the top ten, and a further six rounding out the top 20.

Coloredge

This impressive representation is testament to Caldera’s standing as a global leader in RIP and workflow solutions for wide-format print houses, and the company is delighted to congratulate so many of its American partners on this accolade following a challenging year for the industry. As a fundamental part of any wide-format print business, the right RIP solution can make the difference between being one of the top-performing companies and not quite making the grade, as the Caldera users in the Top 40 list will testify.

Coloredge, which took the top spot in the 2012 list, is currently in the process of standardizing its RIP solutions across all its East and West Coast production facilities and has chosen Caldera as its premier RIP software following extensive analysis of the performance of all the RIPs it currently uses. «Caldera’s overall score was more than double the other RIPs» says Brett Heyman, Prepress Manager at Coloredge. «Caldera has proven to us to have a superior system put in place not only to streamline our workflow, but to provide better features across the board. With the amazing team here at Coloredge New York/Los Angeles and Caldera as part of our premier products, it is no coincidence why we are and continue to be the industry leader in visual communications, creating solutions for imageconscious and consumer-oriented brands.»

Duggal

Alex Wise, Wide Format Operations at Duggal Visual Solutions, ranked by WFI at number three in the country, agrees. «Caldera has far exceeded other RIP technology providers with respect to its versatility and support» he says. «GrandRIP+ provides the tools, flexibility and hardware support Duggal requires as a key component to maintaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace.»

«It is rewarding for us as a company to know that so many of the USA’s leading print businesses rely on Caldera for cutting-edge RIP and workflow solutions» comments Sebastien Hanssens, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at Caldera. «The variety of Caldera users in the Top 40, from small shops to multi-location companies, demonstrates the versatility of Caldera’s products and our commitment to developing solutions for every kind of wide-format print business.»

Cet article 2012 Top Shops est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Caldera launches dedicated cost visualization software for Durst

Cost-conscious Durst Omega 1 and Rho series printer operators can now monitor their profitability and environmental impact more closely than ever, thanks to Caldera’s new dedicated costing dashboard for Durst wide-format printers. The RIP and workflow management software manufacturer has unveiled a Durst-specific version of its popular CostView module, with features including a carbon footprint calculator and real-time job management.

DurstVIEW’s main interface

Based on Caldera’s recently upgraded CostView (version 3.0) software and accessible to any user within a company network through its simple web-based interface, DurstView is set to become an invaluable tool for operators of Durst printers needing to keep a close eye on their costs. Job information is extracted directly from the spooler, and users are able to specify and add costs such as finishing and shipping, enabling managers to consult production data at every stage of the print process.

The job listing and its associated costs can also be exported as a spreadsheet for further analysis. The job listing and its associated costs can also be exported as a spreadsheet for further analysis.

Not only are financial costs easy to track with DurstView but environmental costs can also be measured with the innovative carbon footprint analysis tool, which determines the amount of CO2 emitted for each element of a print job. As quantifiable green credentials become more important to printers and their customers alike, the ability to measure the environmental impact of every job promises DurstView users the edge over their competitors.

«With DurstView, print providers operating Durst Omega 1 and Rho machines are able to fine-tune their profitability with ease, as well as offering added-value carbon footprint information to their eco-conscious customers.» says Sébastien Hanssens, vice-president of marketing, Caldera. «It’s the ultimate production dashboard for the cost-sensitive business.»

Christoph Gamper, Executive Vice President of Durst Phototetechnik AG, says that «since 2001, Durst has been developing large-format inkjet-based printers and has a reputation as being second to none in terms of printing quality and performance. Together with RIP specialist Caldera, Durst has developed the workflow software DurstView further to ensure precise calculation of the production costs and environmental factors for each printing order. We are delighted that we can offer our customers genuine added value in providing full transparency and «greener» technology.»

Cet article Durstview by caldera est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Enhancements

• Easymedia: Support for Barbieri SpectroPad and Caldera ColorPad (OEM version)
• New Pantone libraries (Pantone+ 336 New)
• Easymedia: Added the characterization dataset FOGRA39L.
• ColorBook: New button to open the color book in the image bar after creation. Displaying texts in the preview is now disabled by default because of performance issues. It can be enabled if needed. Modifed some default values according to the most common uses.
• Print: Print only if scale is 100% option can now be confgured to any scale value.
• Image and Application bars can have now up to 100 tabs.
• The maximum (displayable) number of pages in a PS/PDF fle was previously 9999 (in the print window) and 255 (in the Spooler). Both limits have been removed.
• EasyMedia : Print parameters are now synchronized in all wizard steps. Before, the values were specifc to each step.
• Summa cutters now support fle generation (for usage with OPOS).
• Compose: custom ruler display for users of the Durst Omega1

Bug fxes

• Print : Chinese customers can now print annotations and texts in crop marks (fle name and date) correctly. All chinese symbols were printed as squares before.
• Print : Quicksets created for Step&Repeat with more than one page with a multipage fle were causing single page fles to be printed with as many copies as the number of pages confgured in the quickset.
• Print : Fixed missing parameters when reopening jobs issued from workfows. Could affect the following parameters : cutting, Nest-O-Ba, spot, additional inks (white, varnish…)
• Print : Fixed missing lines (white areas) when printing multiple copies of an image assembled manually in Compose in some conditions.
• Print : Fixed printing unicode characters in the annotations and text crop marks (fle name, date). Affected mainly chinese language which had all symbols printed as squares.
• Print : Rendering of PDF gradations with APPE was not as a smooth as it was supposed to be.
• Some stair-case effects could be seen compared to APPE/V8 and GhostScript.
• Nest-O-Matik : Fixed issue with jobs not being fnalized when needed (ie. when printing on sheets)
• Nest-O-Matik : Fixed deleting source fles too early when distributed into several Autonest jobs when printing from a hotfolder with « delete after print » option enabled. Only the frst Autonest job was printed correctly, the others being empty.
• Spot Colors : Spot color type (embedded/additional) was not saved/restored with Load/Save and Embed in/Extract from Image.
• Cut:Fixed detection problem with Mimaki cutters in USB.
• EasyMedia : Fixed « Bad value 27 » error when creating profles with UCR or no black.
• EasyMedia : Changing the Quality of the media project inside the profling wizard was causing all the media parameters to be reset to the default values of the base media.
• EasyMedia : With HP DJ L2x500 printers, the generic media parameters were reset every time the user opened the parameter edition window. The parameters specifc to a profle were not affected.
• Spooler : Fixed missing destination fle for all grand drivers. The feld was always reading « Printer ».
• LiveSpooler : Fixed incorrect colors of ink in the Spooler, when connected to a swissQprint printer.
• Hotfolders : The fles were always opened with APPE even when the Ghostscript was asked. Warning, on launch the interface is always reverted to APPE.
• Hotfolders : Sometimes multipage fles would not be deleted from the hotfolder after being printed.
• InkPerformer : Fixed issue with jobs blocked in « Optimizing Printer Profle… » state.
• Fileman : Some opened TIFF fles with specifc orientation tags were wrongly mirrored.
• HP Designjet L26500/L28500 : When using the Dual Side Printing, if the user cancelled all the jobs, the printer was stuck in DSP mode and required a restart to work in the normal mode.
• VisualCut : Roland SP cutter has the blade offset limits fxed. It can now be set up to 1500 (= 1.5mm) instead of only 150 (= 0.15mm)
• VisualCut : Gerber cutter now has bigger registration marks (1/2” instead of 1/4”)

Enhancements in Patch900-Misc-1

• ColorBook: Added a preview.
• ColorBook: Improved automatic layout. It is now possible to have one-page roll mode. Swatch packs are now organized differently to cover the whole width.
• LiveSpooler: Ink consumption reported from printers is now displayed in spooler.
• EasyMedia: Added possibility to export profles and confgurations for EasyTextile.

Bug fxes in Patch900-Misc-1

• Print: Fixed crashes when changing printer specifc setting with old Roland and Mimaki drivers. The error “One of the printing modules died” error was displayed.
• Print: Fixed the problem with connection some Epson USB printers on Mac. The printer was not detected.
• Print: Multi-page PDF fles with pages of different sizes were not printed correctly.
• Print: Fixed “unsupported input format in xCMMTranslateColors” error when printing some PDF fles in RGB.
• QuickConfg: Fixed crash when a confguration name in print client was containing some specifc characters.
• QuickConfg: White ink parameters were not saved nor restored correctly.
• Mutoh: Printer specifc parameters were not saved and were restored to defaults when print client was opened
• ReopenJob: When reopened, jobs originating from a workfow had the printer specifc parameters all set to wrong values.
• Nest-O-Matik: Centered print option was not working when printing without color bars.
• Spooler: Reopening a job and opening VisualCut interface were not working if the spooler was opened from the desktop icon and not from the application bar.
• InkPerformer: Option “Rip/Print twice and compute saving” was not working properly with images having over 60 characters in the name. Saved ink percentage was not displayed in spooler.
• Easymedia: Fixed crash when using an EyeOne in densitometer mode.
• Easymedia: It is now possible to load correction curves in N-color modes. Open Correction Curves was grayed.
• Fileman: When using PDF boxes other than “Media”, opened fles were having cut contours shifted and scaled incorrectly.
• APPE: Loaded PDF fles could have some strange artifacts in the cut contours.
• Cut: Fixed ZCC mis-placed registration marks.
• Cut: Fixed using ZCC cutfles after upgrading to V9.
• Workfow: Fixed “AppliQuit: Appli not found” message when closing a print client during workfow setup on Mac.
• Tiling+: Changing shape of grommets from square to circle was not working.
• Compose: Dropping multiple copies of an image (Ctrl + drop) was flling only selected templates that were placed below the point of the drop. Now it flls also templates that are higher.

Cet article Patch Misc #2 est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

InkPerformer

InkPerformer CALDERA’s new option dedicated to Ink Jet printers, provides an average 20 percent reduction in ink consumption across all types of wide-format production.

Go to the Inkperformer product page

Cet article Save Ink with Inkperformer est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Pioneering software developer Caldera will once again highlight its innovation in print technology at this year’s FESPA Digital show with the launch of its latest product, EasyTextile™. Created as an easy-to-use entry-level solution for PSPs looking to diversify into printed fabrics, as well as an indispensable tool for pattern designers, EasyTextile™ is expected to be a highlight of the FESPA show later this month.

Easytextile Step&Repeat

With custom-designed textiles in higher demand than ever, the potential for digital printers to capitalise on this market is huge, and with EasyTextile™ high-margin markets like interior décor are put within easy reach. EasyTextile™ comprises two key features to
help PSPs break into the lucrative arena of digitally-printed fabrics: Step&Repeat, which streamlines the process of creating an accurately repeating pattern, and Colorations, for the easy conversion of a design into any number of colour variations.

EasyTextile™ is a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop® which interacts seamlessly with Caldera’s RIP solutions, rather than an optional RIP module, allowing for the software to be used by designers and printers alike. Harnessing Caldera’s in-depth technical knowledge of digital printing technologies, EasyTextile™ gives designers an accessible yet powerful textile printing solution.

Where in the past side-by-side pattern repetition on textiles has been difficult to produce cleanly, EasyTextile™’s Step&Repeat module automatically optimizes the pattern layout by applying a shift, pivoting or inverting to ensure precise pattern matching. Once a pattern is perfectly matched, the data exports directly to the Caldera RIP, ready for printing.

The Colorations component of the new EasyTextile™ software simplifies the process of creating multiple colour options from the same pattern. For pattern designers, this feature presents a compelling opportunity to increase revenue by offering a single design in a whole spectrum of colour schemes, and for printers, Colorations is an ideal tool for the effortless creation of swatch books or printed fabric samples in multiple colours.

Commenting on the ground-breaking new software, Sebastien Hanssens, Vice President of marketing and communication at Caldera, says: «EasyTextile™ is a real first for the wide-format printing market. Until now fabric printing has been a highly specialised area, but with many manufacturers of digital ink-jet printers now developing machines specifically for textile printing, it’s clear that the sector is there to be taken advantage of. With EasyTextile™, Caldera aims to facilitate entry into this market for everyone.»

Cet article Press release Easy Textile est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Caldera Academy 2012

During the event, Caldera managers animated several workshops enabling visitors to have all the necessary weapons to make 2012 a good commercial year. Partners discovered or rediscovered the new features of Version 9, the new RIP Software options (InkPerformer, APPE 2.5, EasyTextile…), the Flow+ Business Workflow solution, the new marketing materials, as well as Variable Display, our digital signage solution.

On the fun side, the week includes nocturnal visits of Strasbourg, as well as local specialties tasting (alsacian wines, tartes flambées,…)

It is in this good humour that Caldera rewarded its best partners, among whom COMPLOTT PAPIER UNION and GRUP TRANSILVAE.

Cet article Caldera Academy 2012 est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Cet article Happy New Year ! est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Innovative French software manufacturer Caldera has teamed up with Alwan Color Expertise, the colour management and standardisation specialists, to create an innovative ink saving module for the latest edition of the Caldera RIP (v9). Named InkPerformer, the option promises users the power to monitor and optimise their ink comsumption, giving commercial printers a significant environmental and economical advantage over their competitors.

Caldera InkPerformer harnesses Alwan’s award-winning profiling technology within the context of the adaptable and powerful Caldera RIP engine to provide an average 20 percent reduction in ink consumption across all types of wide-format production. At a time when raw materials costs, and therefore ink prices, are rising dramatically, this significant saving allows all types of wide-format digital print house to decrease their expenditure significantly, typically achieving ROI within weeks.

Inkperformer interface

InkPerformer sits in the workflow before the file is RIPped and does not require the creation or adjustment of output profiles to implement cost savings. The intuitive user interface allows for the control of two key variables: the BlackStart level, which is the threshold at which black is allowed to replace other ink colours, and the level of ink economy required. The operator can choose the desired setting from Low, which offers a modest ink saving with practically unnoticeable effect on the colour reproduction, Medium, and High, which provides a considerable reduction in lay-down. There is also a Maximum option to prioritise economisation completely over colour, which, while losing some gamut in shadows, is nevertheless suitable for applications to be viewed at distance.

The module, which can be provided with licenses for three, five or more than five devices, calculates a new combination of colours for ink lay-down to retain visual fidelity within the user’s chosen threshold. A supplementary feature in InkPerformer allows the user, if desired, to RIP and then compare the original image with the adjusted, ink-saving image, and even send both jobs to print. This working mode allows for the rapid comparison of jobs and calculates the percentage of ink saved, giving businesses the power to decide for themselves how much lay-down is required for each job.

«With the strong development of digital ink-jet printing systems and applications, we decided that it was time to extend our technology in this market, where we see ink consumption and costs becoming a critical matter for print service providers» explains Elie Khoury, President and CEO of Alwan Color Expertise. «Caldera is an undisputed leader and innovator in the wide-format print sector and already incorporates very powerful technology in its software, such as the Adobe Print Engine.»

«This collaboration allows Caldera users to join Alwan customers in saving tons of ink and millions of dollars every year for the benefit of the planet and of their profits.»

«InkPerformer joins EasyMedia, EasyColour, CostProof and CostView as one of the many optimising functions offered across the Caldera suite» adds Joseph Mergui, Caldera’s CEO. «Alwan’s leadership and experience in the field of colour management and ink optimisation is the perfect complement for Caldera users who are seeking to control their overheads and improve their margins.»

Cet article Caldera create InkPerformer est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Following a successful 2011 show in Düsseldorf, Germany, Viscom has revealed that it used Caldera Variable Display to drive all of the on-site digital signage. The Viscom audio-visual team, headed up by digital signage expert Thomas Dockter, owner of Dockter Marketing and president of the Digital Signage Best Practice Awards jury, was able to install the screens and players ‘in minutes’.

Viscom Düsseldorf needed a turnkey hardware and software solution that would be easy to deploy, could be mounted behind the displays, and that could handle both static PDF and MP4 video file formats with high-quality playback. «It wasn’t possible to connect all the screens securely via WiFi over a big exhibition area like the Düsseldorf fairground.» Dockter explains. «So all media players must be self-sustaining but should be easy to set up and update. The Variable Display system offers all this in a small box with great graphics and video playback quality.»

Previous vertical displays showing the exhibition’s wide array of seminars, talks and presentations schedules had not been effective, with all the screens displaying the same information throughout the venue. «The Viscom team always tries to leverage new technologies.» Dockter says. «Since starting Digital Signage World in 2007 we had been thinking about how to use digital signage to inform visitors and communicate the broad supporting program during the show. For Viscom Düsseldorf 2011, the central idea was to deliver the right information to the viewer at the right place. This resulted in six different dynamic content playlists distributed all over the exhibition halls and the conference area.»

With eleven LG 42’’ full HD TFT screens showing different information relevant to points of entry and footfall at different times, controlling the content needed to be as easy as possible. With Variable Display, scheduling content is managed as part of the package’s easy-to-build
playlist creation, unlike some other digital signage software packages which handle timing separately. Dockter was particularly impressed by the ease-of-use and minimal setup time. «These kinds of projects are always realised under time pressure and last minute changes.» he says.
«With Variable Display, composing a playlist takes just some drag and drop actions and with one click the content is updated.»

Variable Display offered the ability to target visitors at different parts of the building and drive them to the widerange of activities and events through the large, varied show space. The screens outside each of the two halls were automatically updated throughout the day to give information about the next presentation taking place. In addition, the show’s organisers broadcast a welcome message to the exhibitors each morning before the doors opened to visitors, and changed the displays when attendees arrived.

Sebastien Hanssens, Vice President of Marketing and Communication, Caldera, says: «For Viscom to choose Variable Display to power all the digital signage at the 2011 Düsseldorf show is a fantastic endorsement of what we know is a brilliantly simple but powerful software solution. That Variable Display was able to meet all the needs of Thomas and his team without being difficult to install or use just goes to show that managing digital signage on that kind of scale doesn’t have to be intimidating or time-consuming, even for those with little or no experience of doing so.»

For his part, Dockter believes that Variable Display has ‘a lot of potential’ as an easy-to-use digital signage management solution. «It covers the basic needs for a vast number of projects.» he says. «Sign-makers and screen or digital printers especially should check out Variable Display as a supplement to their offerings for trade show stands or business communication.»

«Using the Variable Display solution on this event was the perfect opportunity for Caldera to prove the product’s potential and in-situ efficiency» says Frederic Soulier, Digital Signage Product Manager, Caldera. «We are very proud to have gained the confidence of such an important organisation as Viscom Germany.»

Cet article Variable Display at Viscom ! est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

For Utah-based event advertising specialist Visible Marketing and its sister company, vehicle graphics experts Queen of Wraps, finding the perfect RIP solution to power their arsenal of 17 printers and six cutters was no mean feat. In though, the company ‘saw the light’ and implemented Caldera, and has not looked back since.

With so much equipment to handle, it was essential for Visible Marketing to choose a powerful and flexible RIP solution that could drive all the printers and cutters simultaneously without a hitch, and after limited success with alternative RIP software, the company settled on Caldera. «We’d never go back.» says Nate Griffith, [position] at Visible Marketing. «It’s increased our productivity tremendously. We don’t worry about crashes any more, it fits in well with our Windows-based network, and has a fantastic interface that doesn’t take much to get a new user up and running. Caldera’s SuperSpooler also allows us to monitor a large print environment and all the jobs in the workflow effortlessly.»

Running a combination of VisualRIP+ and GrandRIP+ plus numerous optional modules, including VisualCUT, VisualUser, NestOBA, AddDriver and CostProof, Visible Marketing makes extensive use of the master/slave set-up afforded by Caldera’s RIP solutions. A total of 21 PCs are used to load print jobs into the system and run the printers and cutters, and Griffith explains that since switching to Caldera the company has seen a huge improvement in productivity. «We had five printers attached to our previous RIP.» he says. «It would crash several times a day, bringing all printing to a stop and resulting in wasted time, media, and lots of frustration. We don’t have this issue with Caldera. We’ve increased productivity by 30-40 per cent through efficiency gains, as well as a dramatic decrease in reprints, which ends up saving a lot of money.»

Speed was an important consideration when Visible Marketing went in search of a new RIP solution, so the RIP&Print functionality of VisualRIP+ and GrandRIP+ has been a boon for the business. «No longer do we have to wait for the RIP process to happen prior to printing.» Griffith enthuses. «You can throw a whole roll’s worth of images into a nest and hit print in less time than it would take just to RIP a single file on other systems.»

«Tiling is straightforward, fast and easy.» Griffith continues. «We can drop file after file into the software to cut tiles, and have results in seconds. No screen refreshes, no having to wait for images to rotate.» Given the grand scale of some of the work produced by Visible Marketing, quick and easy tiling is a vital component of the Caldera RIP, as is the Layout & Compose feature which allows users to merge, nest, stitch, rotate and combine multiple file formats so that building double-sided flag files, for example, can be completed as part of the print preparation process rather than being passed back to the designers.

Another particular attraction of the Caldera software for Visible Marketing was the integrated Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE). The company has 15 user licenses for APPE and makes extensive use of it, so knowing that they can rely on the Caldera RIP to process the files with speed and accuracy is crucial. «There is no stumbling over transparencies and other common PDF challenges resulting in reprints. What’s in the file is what gets printed.» Griffith states.

«It’s gratifying to know that switching to Caldera has so vastly improved Visible Marketing’s day-to-day productivity.» says Sebastien Hanssens, Vice President of Marketing and Communication, Caldera. «It’s a story we hear time and again from our customers, but we don’t rest on our laurels: we’re continually developing new and better ways to make printing easier for everyone.» Griffith says he would ‘most certainly’ recommend Caldera’s RIP solutions to other potential buyers. «It is fast, it is intuitive and it is accurate.» he states. «Color is great with EasyColor and EasyMedia, support is phenomenal – though we don’t have to call upon it that often – and the product itself is brilliant. In the first couple of months alone Caldera more than paid for itself.»

Cet article Visible Marketing and Caldera est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

New Caldera V9 sets new standards for colour and transparency control.

Caldera has brought to market a new edition of its pioneering RIP software, Caldera V9, which harnesses the latest version of the Adobe print engine, APPE 2.5, to deliver additional productivity features and refinements. Enhanced colour options, improved transparency handling and faster previewing join with practical additions to provide Caldera’s world-wide user base with the broadest functionality available in this market.

Recognising the need for increased control over the print environment, Caldera V9 brings two significant updates to its already advanced Spooler module. Operators can now double-click a job within Spooler to reopen it within the Print window, allowing them to verify parameters or resubmit it with modified settings. LiveSpooler, meanwhile, introduces a new XML exchange protocol which allows for the monitoring of offline devices within the print environment, thereby improving workflow management – especially for owners of Caldera’s popular Flow+ package.

Users will also discover significant developments in colour control and correction in Caldera V9, specifically engineered to save time and improve accuracy. Amongst these is the ability to make last-minute adjustments to contrast, luminosity and colour balances within the main Print window, avoiding the need to jump between modules for minor alterations.

The operator can also save the current Print window configuration in a named file, allowing for rapid switching between different workflow options. Color Books of swatches are also generated on-demand by V9, providing a multi-page PDF file of reference colours so that operators can more easily match desired brand colours with those available within the given print configuration.

Implementations of the Caldera RIP with the Easy-Media profiling module will also be able to take advantage of i1Prism V2, now integrated within Caldera V9 to provide excellent smoothness in colour rendering and more fine-tune settings, such as contrast and saturation control. EasyMedia users will also note a new function allowing them to report
on ink density and resynchronise ICC profiles if required, correcting linearisation curves to compensate for current printing conditions, such as head changes and remaining ink volume.

Memory management, font support and Xobjects are significantly better supported by the new APPE 2.5 integration, which also provides smaller fixes, such as more consistent direct colour substitution and the ability to replace spot colours in RGB mode. The primary advantage for Caldera V9 users, who have (own) the APPE option, is the improved RIPping speeds, especially for files with transparent elements, which will see 20% of the RIP time shaved off on average. In tandem, the new Global Rasterisation option allows for the preview of more complex documents, such as those with transparency or overprint information.

A totally new option in V9 is the fruit of Caldera’s partnership with colour management specialists Alwan, InkPerformer. This module, which requires a special license key, calculates new levels of black ink to reduce the use of other inks while reproducing faithfully the hues intended from the original file. While vastly increased black laydown produces more graininess, InkPerformer allows print providers to use their professional judgment and take control of their ink costs – especially for situations where exceptional quality is not necessarily required, such as applications with long viewing distances.

«Each release of Caldera brings with it a new generation of upgrades which understand the pressures of modern wide-format production properly and gives print houses the tools to streamline production and improve quality» states Sébastien Hanssens, Vice President Marketing at Caldera.

«This ranges from broader innovations, such as advanced colour control options, to productivityorientated measures, like the creation of reconfigurable, automatic print gutters to avoid density variations and nozzle clogging and, therefore, the expense of head strikes. Ultimately, we believe that Caldera V9 continues to offer the most comprehensive, feature-heavy option on the print software market today.»

Caldera V9 also brings Turkish and Chinese language speakers into the fold, in the latter case by incorporating Pinyin input, with text also rendered anti-aliased for better readability. This increases the number of languages supported by Caldera to 10, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese and Polish, amongst others.

Cet article Press release : Caldera V9 est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Cet article Caldera releases Version 9 est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Caldera, the French RIP software editor, will launch a new digital signage solution with variable content, Variable Display at FESPA Hamburg.

Variable Display provides a digital signage solution for Wide Format Digital Printing providers. It can easily be combined with digital printing jobs for POS material, retail signage, events or others. This solution combines the qualities of both visual PRINT communication and DYNAMIC content, thereby connecting two advertising universes which are either treated separately or as competitors.

According to Sebastien Hanssens, VP Marketing “Variable Display’s objective is to allow our clients to combine within the same project the qualities of PRINT communication (wide format digital printing, low production costs, small print runs…) with a DYNAMIC multimedia content (videos, live updating, personalize content…)“.

Caldera’s new product is designed as a mini-PC which is able to drive any type of monitor. The Variable Display cube is practical, discrete and easy to carry. It can easily be dissimulated behind the monitor which it is connected to. Its user interface can be driven from any type of platform (Windows, Mac and Linux) and from some mobile devices such as iPhone, iPad and Android.

For Frederic Soulier, Embedded Devices Product Manager at Caldera :“Variable Display is the answer to our client’s digital signage demand. It is the most efficient and user friendly solution.”

Variable Display supports a large variety of digital formats: audio, video, flash animations, jpegs, pdf documents, etc. It can also be connected to the internet and web content streams (websites, web radios, WebTV, etc.). All these contents are saved as video campaigns (or playlists). The campaigns can be displayed on either one monitor or on several screens at the same time. It is therefore easy to manage and personalize a fleet of monitors. It is also possible for the public to interact with Variable Display by using QrCodes.

“Caldera’s goal is to revolutionize the graphic industry market by providing, within the same software package, a solution which enables the mix of print and digital signage.” Joseph Mergui, Caldera’s CEO.

Cet article Variable Display, our new solution est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Caldera credits impressive financial standing to sustained expansion

French software manufacturer Caldera has released information about its vigorous financial growth, demonstrating how its commitment to innovation and its international sales and support platform have been key to its solid position in spite of the recent global fiscal situation. Complementing this progress is this year’s release of Variable Display, a digital signage solution for wide-format print companies, and the ongoing improvements brought to Flow+, a print business management solution incorporating ERP modules.

With current working capital standing at €500 000, the main period of expansion for the popular print workflow and RIP software manufacturer has been between 2006 and 2010, where it reports a total augmentation of profit of some 130 percent. This average advance of 25 percent per year indicates how continuous product development and comprehensive support have allowed Caldera to sustain its existing clients to the high standard they have come to expect, while also expanding its customer base.

«With a 30 percent month-on-month increase already in evidence so far this year, we are confident that we will meet and exceed our turnover target for 2011 of €7 million [£6.1m/$9m],» comments Joseph Mergui, chief executive officer of Caldera. «While Caldera will continue to provide and develop scalable, top-flight applications for all types of graphic arts producer, we are now looking to expand our share within Asia and other new territories, with a mid-term turnover objective of €15 million [£13.3m/$21.2m] in 2015.»

«Following on from the success of Flow+, which gives print houses the ability to integrate enterprise resource planning seamlessly with their operational controls, Caldera has also extended its expertise into the digital signage and DOOH markets with a new offering,» adds Sébastien Hanssens, the company’s vice-president, marketing. «Caldera’s Variable Display provides a way for our current customers to manage existingmedia assets across multiple screens using an accessible interface, creating new cross-media opportunities
for graphics and advertising producers.»

«At a time where development in vertical markets is crucial for every business in the printing sector, Caldera is providing the best possible circumstances to our customers so that they can expand their existing services logically and sustainably,» continues Mergui. «We believe that the high quality of printed graphics that our customers produce daily can be extended, with Variable Display, into the digital signage market to create advanced integrated campaigns for their clients.»

Caldera’s complement of 44 full-time staff members services a broad global reach, with 75 percent of its business conducted overseas in the key markets of North America, Germany, Italy and Great Britain. Because different businesses, from individual user environments up to corporations, can enter at a suitable price point and upgrade in a
modular fashion, Caldera’s software solutions continue to guarantee a powerful print management and RIP option for all graphic arts production environments.

Cet article Impressive financial standing est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Cet article Variable Display Website est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

The Natural Color System (NCS) is a proprietary perceptual color model published by the Scandinavian Colour Institute of Stockholm, Sweden. The system is usually used for matching colors (using printed reference cards), rather than mixing colors.

The implementation of the Natural Color System ® © in Caldera’s RIP software allows an exact printing of the NCS colors.

Cet article Agreement between Caldera & NCS est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Click here to download the pictures

Cet article New pictures available ! est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Caldera has strengthened 4 departments with the arrival in the support team of Yong WANG (fluent Chinese and French) and Leticia KNOBLOCH (fluent Spanish, English and French).

Anne-Laure SCHUSTER has joined the administration team as Sales assistant and Loïc HERR is now part of the marketing team as Web Designer.

The development department has strengthened its team with the arrival of Jonathan BUSCHMANN as a Development Engineer.

Cet article Caldera’s teams grows est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Disover Nestobatest

Cet article Spot light : NESTOBA est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

• Agfa Anapurna 2500 LED, Anapurna Mw
• HP-Scitex TJ 8600, LX600, LX800, FB500, FB700
• HP Designjet Z5200, Z6200
• Oce Arizona 550GT, 550XT
• Fujifim-Sericol Acuity Advance HS
• Canon IPF 6300, 6350, 8300, 8310, 815, 825
• KIP Color UJV 180j
• Durst Tau 150i, Rho 750, 162 TS, Rhotex 320
• Gerber CAT | UV
• Mutoh Viper 100 TX, Viper TX Extreme, ValueJet 1304W, ValueJet 1604W
• Océ ColorWave 600
• Grapo Manta, Octopus II, Shark
• Roland VS640, VS540, VS420, VS300, RS-640, LEC-300, LEC-330, LEC-540
• Epson Stylus Pro 7890, 9890
• Teckwin TeckPro-H5000, TeckProUV-3200, TeckStar, TeckStorm-TS, Minoteck
• Vutek GS3200, GS5000r
• swissQprint Impala
• d.gen Artrix-GT, Teleios-GT

New cutter drivers available :

• GCC : Expert 24, Expert 24 LX, Expert Pro

The drivers are available on Caldera’s Extranet : http://extranet.caldera.com (if you are a Caldera reseller or partner) or on Caldera Usernet : http://usernet.caldera.com (if you are a Caldera user).

See all Caldera supported printers !

Cet article New drivers available est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Caldera is now shipped with a new, Debian-based, Linux distribution, which replaces Kubuntu 8.04. This distribution is highly customized for fitting the Caldera requirements, and also includes a very easy installation procedure. The choice of Debian, which is considered by many as the most stable and flexible distribution, will allow more reactivity in terms of hardware support.

For further information please log on to the Extranet (if you are a Caldera partner) or Usernet (if you are a Caldera end-user).

Cet article Caldera release version 8.01 est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Caldera was awarded, for the third time in a row, the DPI Best Product of the Year Award in the Business Management Software category for Costview (Cost Management Software) on iPad at the SGIA 2010 in Las Vegas.

Cet article Caldera product of the year est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

The Chinese version of its RIP software will allow Caldera to have an adapted market solution and maximize opportunities on the Chinese market. “The important growth of emerging countries such as China is an integrated part of our business development. China is massively adopting new digital printing technologies, it was logical for Caldera to strengthen its presence in this dynamic market.“, says Joseph Mergui, Caldera CEO.

Cet article Chinese software version est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

«With the Adobe PDF Print Engine, the Caldera RIPing speed is not only increased for all PDF files, but the output is much more consistent with the products of the Adobe Suite. APPE totally eliminates the need for flattening transparency and renders PS and EPS output obsolete » says Guillaume Muller, R&D Director Caldera.

Learn more about the EasyColor (PDF)

Cet article Adobe PDF Print Engine est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

The Easycolor is an automated solution for linearization and profiling of photographic and wide format output devices for flexible reflective and transparent materials with a thickness up to 0,7 mm.

Learn more about the EasyColor [PDF]

Cet article New EasyColor has been launched est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

• Best MIS (Management) Software : FLOW+
• Best Color Management Software : EasyMedia
• Best Overall Product : VisualRIP+

Wide-Format Imaging readers were asked to cast their ballot for those breakthrough products that have caused the most excitement in the industry and have had the biggest impact in their bottom lines over the past year.

Cet article 3 “Best Product” awards est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.

Caldera Announces Collaboration with Adobe to Improve Wide Format Printing

Caldera extends its partnership with Adobe and announces the integration of the Adobe® PDF Print Engine (APPE) into its RIP solutions. The association of the two technologies will guarantee for production printing fast and reliable reproduction of fi les in the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), including complex images and transparencies.

Caldera has built the technology into its new generation of RIP solutions and will be available with Caldera’s V8 software edition which will be released at the end of 2009.

The Adobe PDF Print Engine enables integrated, end-to-end PDF workfl ows for printing graphically rich content, including variable content for personalized publishing. The Caldera print solutions powered by Adobe PDF Print Engine allow PDF fi les to be rendered natively, without conversion to PostScript, helping to ensure that complex designs and effects, even variable print elements with transparency, are effciently and reliably reproduced.

“With the Adobe PDF Print Engine, the Caldera RIPing speed is not only increased for all
PDF fi les, but the output is much more consistent with the design and editing products of the Adobe Creative Suite. Adobe PDF Print Engine eliminates the need for fl attening transparency, maintaining content in a device-independent state right up until final rendering” said Guillaume Muller, R&D Director

With this new Adobe PDF Print Engine, Caldera simplifi es upstream PDF workfl ows and unifies prepress production. It empowers designers to create leading-edge content with confidence, knowing that it will be reproduced as expected by print producers.

The combined technology also streamlines print production by enabling a single workfl ow for all job types, maximizing reliability and flexibility while providing new opportunities for growth. It provides printers with an easy on-ramp to add personalized publishing to their existing workflows.

“Caldera is proud to be the fi rst dedicated wide format solution to integrate Adobe PDF Print Engine technology. This new solution delivers straightforward outstanding quality and speed from Caldera solutions on complex PDF fi les. It will also build breakthrough innovative solutions using the PDF/VT format for Variable Data wide format printing” said Joseph Mergui, Caldera CEO and President

“Ongoing innovation in wide format printing has enabled new graphic possibilities and business opportunities for printers participating in this segment. By incorporating the Adobe PDF Print Engine into its solutions, Caldera continues to demonstrate its leadership role in the wide format market.” said Raman Nagpal, senior director of Adobe Print and Scan Division at Adobe.

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Worldwide provider of integrated outsourced business services, Service Point has remained market leader for over 85 years by adhering to the core specialisations
of print related: Digital Reprographics, Document Management and Facilities  management. The central focus is on providing end-to-end print and document management, most specifically of large format documentation for projects of a technical or complex nature.

Service Point’s continual investment in technology, people and service delivery now extends to a network of over 450 global facilities supporting clients and their supply chain partner needs across the UK, Europe, the United States and the Far East..

The typical set-up of one Service Point’s print-for-pay facility is primarily composed of HP1055’s, 4000’s and 5000’s as they have historically been servicing the AEC market. The company decided to expand its production and sales to new markets by adding a fleet of HP9000’s to its printer set-up, thus increasing competitive advantage and enlarging its production capacities. It was at this point that they decided to equip all their facilities with the Caldera RIP.

Because of the many different size locations and the difficulty to state a typical setup of a Service Point Facility (it can range from just one HP1055 in one location to 2×4000’s, 2×5000’s and 1x 9000 in another), Service Point needed a modular, flexible and productive solution.

With Caldera, Service Point now manages all the machines with one single RIP, through Caldera’s unique Client/Server and Master/Slave Architecture feature. Staff can see all jobs on all printers (directly or indirectly connected to RIP servers) from one central spooler. Service Point’s IT Director didn’t want to have to spend time training people on different RIPs who would then be driving only one printer. Prior to Caldera as the household RIP, Service Point was suffering huge bottle necks with file processing as files had become larger, the machines were spending half of the time with the receiving light flashing and not printing, therefore not making money.

Their choice was also motivated by speed of the Caldera RIP, namely the fact that the printing starts while the file is being RIPed. Increased productivity being the most important RIP prerequisite to the eyes of a print for pay provider. Service Point’s IT Director was looking for a RIP that was “fast, offered a good production workflow and had a range of usability from simple user to expert. With Caldera, we have sped up our production tenfold and our quality is now unsurpassed by our competition because of our strict ICC profiling regime.”

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Ferrari Color & Caldera Adopting Caldera was more than a opportunity, it was the only way to make our business grow !

As our business has grown over the years, so did the expanse of printers and associated rips. Prior to Caldera, we struggled daily with more than fi ve different rips, each with different color management options, interfaces and setups.

Caldera was the solution to one of our biggest technical challenges fi nding a rip solution that would allow us to consolidate to one rip platform reducing training time and confusion while increasing throughput and quality.

Caldera easily has allowed us to manage fi les across our plethora of medium and wide-format printers which include three Vuteks (2 UltraVu 3360’s and 1 UltraVu 150), a Scitex XLJet+, an Inca Columbia Flatbed, a dye sublimation fabric transfer system, 2 Lambdas, a LightjetXL, multiple Epson proofers and an iCut router. Caldera is a very robust yet simple platform that has increased our productivity as well as our quality. Their architecture of master PC’s and unlimited slaves allows us to grow and scale easily as needed.

The speed of the onscreen display of rip fi les is unequaled! The unifi ed workflow from print to cut, hot folders, integrated color management, customized PPD’s for each device/media has brought real productivity gains to our operation. The quality from our devices with Caldera is better than we have ever seen! The extremely high quality of their technical support department has made the implementation very easy.

With the speed of email and electronic support, the fact that they are located in Europe has not slowed their response to our needs. We would gladly recommend Caldera as an Enterprise level solution to the age old problem of ineffi cient digital workflow.

Caldera is a winner!

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Caldera enables CopyTop, the number one digital printer in France, to extend its offer of services to digital grand format reproduction.

COPY-TOP, leader in the digital printing industry in France, has retained Caldera Graphics, the French publisher of large printing solutions, within the context of the renewing of its stock of large-format inkjet printers.

The experience acquired by COPY-TOP in large-format color inkjet printing rested almost exclusively on machines equipped with internal PostScript controllers whose functionalities were limited. COPY-TOP’s decision-makers quickly realized that only a RIP software solution would offer their users the versatility and flexibility necessary to answer every demand coming from the customers in the stores.

« We’ve chosen Caldera’s solution, first for the quality of reproduction it guarantees on Epson printers, but also for its automatic nesting function (Nest-O-Matik) which allows us to make a substantial economy of media », explained Sylvain Rodet, Technical Director. «The suggested rival solutions didn’t bring us such a level of quality and functionality.»

The whole equipment was provided and installed by the PixelTech company, who has been a partner of Caldera and Epson for a very long time. Pixel Tech has also ensured the
training of the users on the spot, and maintains a daily phone support service. In the end, 19 of the 28 stores of the network have been equipped with an Epson 9800 printer driven by Caldera’s VisualRIP. Additionally, in some of them, the number of HP printers already installed have also been connected to the newly-deployed Caldera RIP, offering them a second youth and allowing them an access to the advanced printing functions specific to
Caldera’s VisualRIP (automated nesting, Step & Repeat, spooler management…).

About Caldera

Caldera Graphics is a software publisher, specialized on Mac OS X and Linux platforms, who offers solutions dedicated to color management, imaging, and to the driving of large-format printing peripherals. For more than 15 years, Caldera’s solution have been production-oriented.

Caldera numbers to date several thousands of users throughout
the world, among professionals of visual communication that are reprographers, silkscreen printers, stand-creators, sign-makers and photo labs. In 2006, Caldera’s GrandRIP has won the DPIA (Digital Printing & Imaging Association) Product of the Year award at the SGIA exhibition in Las Vegas.

About Copy-Top

Nowadays, COPY-TOP is the leader in digital printing, graphic services and digitization solutions (Scan/GED). With 30 years of experience and expertise, COPY-TOP offers a complete range of products and services for businesses, public services and private individuals. From single copies to long series, in black & white or in color, from paper
originals or computer files, everyone will get, thanks to its highly-qualified teams, the advice necessary to producing quality works within short and well-kept delays. Whatever the document to create, COPY-TOP will do everything in its power, including the use of the most performing materials and most recent technologies, to guarantee its customers an optimal quality and competitive prices.

COPY-TOP, much more than printing

About Pixel Tech

Since 1997, Pixel Tech has been offering integrated systems for acquisition, processing and color printing to professionals of largeformat visual communication. A historical partner of Caldera Graphics, Pixel Tech counts many references in graphic arts, reprographics; silkscreen printing, sign-making and photo labs. Thanks to its strong abilities in the field of large format reproduction workflows and color management, Pixel Tech has managed to stand out as a key player on the market of large-format digital printing.

Cet article Caldera enables CopyTop est apparu en premier sur Caldera.com.