Agfa Graphics launches cloud based data exchange

Print Solutions

With the release of PrintSphere, Agfa Graphics now offers printers a standardised way to send and receive files and adds new levels of automation to all existing Agfa workflow solutions. This Software as a Service (SaaS) also provides customer service representatives with a dashboard to properly manage their customers and offers an overview of active jobs.

PrintSphere is a shared service that allows printers to easily exchange files with, for example, customers, employees, and freelancers. Whether data sharing happens internally or externally, this cloud based solution keeps all print data safely stored and organised. Integrated with Apogee Prepress or Asanti, pre-press operators can assign users to specific jobs. An automated messaging system invites these assigned parties to deliver files for a particular job. The system can also be used to create archives of previous jobs, available to a select number of customers.

‘Printers exchange gigabytes of data on a daily basis using a variety of tools,’ said Andy Grant, head of Software, Agfa Graphics. ‘We wanted to offer them a standardised and more efficient way to do that. PrintSphere makes it easy to swiftly send and receive files, it has a browser interface and sits in the cloud, not on your own system.’

There is no need to invest in other hardware or software. Independent of time and place, the solution is accessible through www.printsphere.com or via client applications for Windows, Mac, and mobile. Uploaded data automatically synchronises with local folders, making files available on-site as well.

‘PrintSphere integrates with Agfa Graphics’ existing production workflow software, such as Apogee, Asanti, and StoreFront,’ said Andy. ‘It automates data intake, creates off site backups of critical production databases, and picks up web to print orders to make them available on the local network. That way, it considerably saves time and helps speed up the production cycle. It is not only of great help for the huge files in the sign and display market; also in commercial, and newspaper printing markets, it offers a valuable addition to the entire workflow.’

As a cloud service, the new product follows in the footsteps of other Agfa cloud based tools, such as StoreFront and Arkitex. As security standards are very high, complete privacy and confidentiality of all data are guaranteed. ‘Running on Agfa’s own data servers, PrintSphere offers you and your clients a fast upload connection and a productive working process,’ Andy concluded.