Technology and Research

About the Automation Solutions Network

The Automation Solutions Network has established itself as the premiere event to exchange ideas and solutions for JDF workflows. The Automation Solutions Network focuses on the development and practical implementation of JDF-enabled systems and cross-vendor implementations. The group welcomes a wide range of users of JDF-enabled systems as well as the suppliers of those systems. The steering committee of the Automation Solutions Network is made up entirely of printers who have either implemented systems or are in the process of doing so.

As one participant commented, “I had hit a brick wall. The information I have gained here allows me to move the integration forward, I have the proof it is being done!”

“Implementing process automation, even with JDF, requires active participation by the printer’s staff,” said James Harvey, Executive Director of CIP4. “Different vendors have different philosophies for how they are implementing process automation, and printers may find themselves acting as project managers to work out issues that may arise when multiple systems are integrated. The group fills a huge void in the industry by providing a forum where users can learn from each other, exchange ideas, and present issues to the vendor community. In this format, they are sure to get answers.”

“I am very excited about this group, as it will give printers a practical guide to implementation based on best practices and experiences in the industry,” said Dr. Mark Bohan, Printing Industries of America Vice President, Technology and Research. “It has the support of the printer and supplier community, as well as CIP4, and is an outstanding opportunity to expand the scope of JDF implementation and true cross-vendor implementation.”

Steering Committee Chair: Mark Bohan, Vice President, Technology and Research, Printing Industries of America
Vice Chair: Ray Hartman, Independent Consultant 
Membership & Marketing Officer: Mark Wilton, President, Wilton & Partners Consulting, Inc.
Steering Committee Members:

• Technology Representative: Brandon Iskey, Computational Research Scientist, Printing Industries of America
• Printer Representative (Digital Printing): Dave Zamorski, Chief Operating Officer, Associates International, Inc.
• Printer Representative (General Commercial): Rick Riegger, Color Control Manager, Japs-Olson Company
  
•  Printer Representative (In-house Printing): Tom Coker, Senior Manager of Premedia, Communicorp, Inc
• Printer Representative (Web Printing): Christy Miners, Director of Prepress and Technology, Democrat Printing & Lithographing Co
• CIP4 Liaison: Jim Harvey, Executive Director, CIP4 Organization

Registration Information

The Automation Solutions Network meets on a regular basis at printer facilities throughout the country. For ore information on the Automation Solutions Network, please visit registration page or contactautomation@printing.org.

Benefits

• The best source of information for automation and JDF solutions.
• How to increase your productivity and increase your ROI on purchases.
• Case studies of JDF applications.
• Tours of technological leading companies.
• Access to email forum with all presentations and materials.
• Solutions to implementation challenges connecting devices.
• Tips and tricks to the automation process.
• Best practices for JDF application.
• Networking with printers who are implementing JDF.
• Identification of new and innovative solutions.
• Tours of different print facilities and how they have addressed automation and JDF.
• Become more aware of JDF and how it relates to better production standards.
• Gain understanding of the JDF specification and JDF product certification.
• Exposure to the latest cutting edge technology.
• Ability to ask vendors difficult questions on implementation.
• The knowledge to ask the right questions for new purchases or implementation.
• By associating, it shows you are an innovative company.