Prepress
Solimar Systems and Kyocera Document Solutions Collaboration Enables Seamless Transition
Wednesday 21. July 2021 - With low running costs, high productivity, and the flexibility to deliver short- and long-run jobs, it is no wonder that high-speed inkjet has become the preferred technology for transactional, transpromotional and direct mail print applications.
First customers already benefiting from the combined technologies, with one almost tripling its throughput capability.
However, printers looking to make the switch to digital inkjet production require both a reliable, flexible printing system and a comprehensive workflow platform to ensure a seamless transition. A collaboration between two market-leaders provides the ideal solution and importantly, the confidence for those printers to make that switch. This is the opportunity Solimar Systems and Kyocera Document Solutions Europe offer their customers by combining forces and their latest cutting-edge technologies.
The Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 15000c, launched last year, is aimed at the transactional and transpromotional markets. It offers a cost-effective, agile alternative to conventional printing for outstanding results with minimal maintenance. To ensure customers maximize the capabilities of this latest printer, Kyocera required a robust workflow server solution that supports IPDS and AFP data streams and datastream transformations, crucial to taking full advantage of the cost-efficiencies and flexible production achievable with the inkjet system.
Solimars iCONVERT software seamlessly communicates with the Kyocera printer and their preferred front-end system. Any existing workflow systems used by customers are also unaffected by iCONVERT when integrated. The server simply slots into the workflow and appears as an IPDS device to actively transform AFP files into the necessary print language before routing the file to production machines and viewing stations.
“Solimar Systems offers a modular and, therefore, totally scalable solution, providing a unique level of flexibility to ensure that users can meet changing demand,” says Deon Wepener, Expert Production Print Solutions at Kyocera. “As well as the benefits iCONVERT brings to the production process as an effective transform engine, we also chose to team up with Solimar Systems due to the phenomenal service they provide, from sales to training and technical support.”
As a result of the cooperation between these two industry frontrunners, print service providers are already reaping the benefits on the production floor. MultiPost in the Netherlands and Servinform in Madrid installed Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 15000c with iCONVERT to move to an advanced and secure inkjet workflow. Both companies are now enjoying fast, reliable production, optimum efficiency, and high productivity.
Servinform, one of the largest transactional printers in Spain, is producing approximately 120,000,000 A4 documents per month across all applications. After just one week of initial testing, Servinform took the decision to move all transactional work that was being produced on its cut-sheet toner-based machines to their new Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 15000c and Solimar-powered IPDS solution. The transition was easy, even operators at Servinform commented on how seamless the integration of this new solution has been as iCONVERT runs in the background. The files come from the normal system and appear on the new workflow server without any intervention.
MultiPost in the Netherlands offers a complete print and mail service, as well as specialist plastic card processing. The company produces a wide selection of statements and invoices; the introduction of Kyocera and Solimar technologies has enabled additional throughput capabilities that the company needed to meet increased demand. The new systems also proved an effective way of introducing customers to a new, inkjet alternative with the ability to convert data and manage runs of any length without disruption. After the introduction of the new Kyocera and Solimar combined IPDS solution, the business has seen close to triple the throughput capability, significantly boosting profitability and enabling them to target new customers.
Kyocera has a long-term strategy for its inkjet product line with new platforms currently in development and, much like the TASKalfa Pro 15000c, these printers will be built for speed, versatility, and reliability. “We know that habits change and that, when customers make a new purchase, they are not only looking for the technology but for a sustainable partnership,” adds Marcel Ebbenhorst, Production Print Manager at Kyocera. “We also know that our product can often be the core technology within our customer sites, so we want to not only be that technology partner to them but ensure that we align with similarly, like-minded, forward-thinking companies. The solution our customer installs and the companies they are working with will then offer the highest standards in both cutting-edge technology and reliable customer service.”
Commenting on the relationship with Kyocera, Jamie Walsh, Sales Manager for EMEA and APAC, Solimar Systems, says, “The collaboration with Kyocera is a perfect fit for us. Currently, they are using iCONVERT to provide customers with increased production flexibility but there is a bigger picture that both parties can see when it comes to print and mail environments. The broader Chemistry platform from Solimar addresses numerous issues in end-to-end business and manufacturing processes, driving efficiencies and cost savings across the board. This is definitely the start of a long-term alliance that will benefit many print and mail service providers across Europe as it expands and develops.”