Inkjet & Digital Printing
Three Xeikon 8000s for First Data in Greece
Thursday 12. June 2008 - Quality and Speed in Transactional Printing
The Greek branch of First Data, leading provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions for financial institutions and merchants worldwide, has purchased 3 Xeikon 8000s. Launched last March, the Xeikon 8000 is Xeikons newest flagship, developed to provide uncompromising print quality (1200 dpi at 4 bits per spot) at industry-best speeds (230 ppm). It was exactly this combination that led First Data to choose the Xeikon 8000.
In Greece, First Data provides a full range of electronic transaction services, fraud protection and risk management solutions, as well as contact center services, card personalization services and document printing and enveloping services. The Greek branch serves clients in Greece, Cyprus, Southeast Europe and the Middle East. With the installation of two Xeikon 6000s last year, First Data made the transition to full color transactional printing and realized a significant increase in print volume. The acquisition of the new Xeikon 8000s is a natural progression to enable First Data to meet increased capacity requirements, especially peak demands.
“We had no reason to change a winning team,” explains Leonidas Patrikios, Commercial Director of First Data in Greece, “We have been very satisfied with the performance of our Xeikon 6000s. The quality and speed achieved by the new Xeikon 8000, however, is simply second to none. Our clients have grown accustomed to a certain level of print quality, but with double the resolution we shall manage to even exceed their expectations. Equally important with the improved quality is the speed. Our print volumes keep on growing every day, and this is the main reason for which we need more capacity. Deadlines, however, are tight. Therefore, we also have to call for higher speed so as to cope with peak demands being typical in our business.”
In addition to the improved quality and speed, the Xeikon 8000s digital front end, the X-800, combined with the IPDS Controller offers exactly what First Data is looking for in terms of high-end variable data production: a PDF-based workflow and native IPDS data stream support for transactional printing at rated engine speed. With Xeikons trademark feature, its One-Pass-Duplex technology enabling perfect front-to-back registration and simultaneous double-sided printing, the Xeikon 8000 has a distinct advantage when it comes to ensuring data integrity, which is an obviously crucial requirement given the applications it is being used for.
“We are very excited to have a company of this caliber as a reference,” says Paul Willems, Chief Marketing Officer at Punch Graphix, “First Data will be using the Xeikon 8000 for the exact applications for which it was developed. Their decision is further proof that the market is accepting the Xeikon 8000s value proposition. The fact that they have chosen to reinvest in Xeikon technology is a powerful endorsement and a clear indication that our technology gives a good return on investment. We are happy to be able to get the three engines up and running in the next coming months. We are all looking forward to seeing them fully operational. “
The Xeikon 8000 sets the reference for quality and speed:
· Resolution: 1200 dpi @ 4 bits/spot – addressability: 1200 x 3600 dpi – screen rulings: up to 240 lpi
· Top speed: 230 ppm – duty cycle: 8.5 million A4 pages per month
· One-Pass-Duplex printing for perfect front-to-back registration and data integrity
· Scalable substrate width up to 512 mm and image width up to 504 mm
· Xeikon PA toner for cost-effective, fast, high-quality printing
· 5th color stations for spot colors and security toner
· Powerful digital front-end X-800
· Optional IPDS Controller for high-performance transactional and transpromo printing
· Roll-to-roll or roll-to-cut sheet configuration
The Xeikon 8000 can be seen in action at drupa 2008 until June 11 at the Xeikon stand in Hall 8a (D25) at the Düsseldorf Fairgrounds, Germany.