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Automation as a solid option for your printshop - Konica Minolta AccurioPro Flux case study

Workflow has always been a part of the printing process in every printshop. Thanks to the development of new resources and new products, automation has been on the loop for a while now and with the time, many more companies are intrigued of how it can be implemented on their businesses due to the idea of having less dependency on human hands and more on technology. As we do in many other daily used products (like smartphones or virtual assistants at home, for example).

Nowadays, technology has become part of our lives and routines and why not taking the best advantage of every industry? Machines and software controlled by technology is a great idea and the process of using it has revealed many benefits. First, optimizing time in every process, cutting down hours spent on each workstation by one or multiple people. Effectiveness and significantly decreasing production, detecting errors and progressively improve quality.

Choosing the best solution for your business will depend on your needs, budget and your business goals. There are many products in the market so you need to be clear and also realize that this will not be your magic wound and everything will be solved in your printshop. There may be some limitations, pros and cons, depending on the product you choose. Some of the existing workflow solutions in the market need third party tools to work correctly on the entire printing process, so it’s crucial to pick whatever fits you best.

Konica Minolta AccurioPro Flux

Konica Minolta launched a flexible automation software series that targets Central Reprographics Departments (CRDs), Print Service Providers (PSPs), and in-house print shops of schools or companies. This technology has been developed to let customers to automate and streamline operations, expand their print services and allow delivering high-quality digital prints in a quicker time.


Konica-minolta-workflow-AccurioPro-Flux

AccurioPro-flux, courtesy of Print Innovation Asia


AccurioPro Flux has three modules for workflow; the Essential Module contains all print room need for prepress and make-ready management, Premium includes a server to enable collaboration between clients and print team, and the Ultimate version adds a web-to-print function. AccurioPro Flux increases productivity in many ways:

  • More efficient prepress workflow by automating recurring tasks.
  • Minimizing the manual labor required to conventionally sync color and mono printouts.
  • Maximizing the use of different printers to achieve greater efficiency without human intervention.
  • Take up a large amount of the operator’s time.
  • Make-ready function decreases time spent on pre-flight test.

AccurioPro Flux Essential – Prepress and Output

It is the entry-level product of the print automation software series. It offers prepress processes, centralized tasks and control of all production machines. It also has a ready-to-use tool which allows to do some editing without switching to a separate app. Basic preflight check is available, which detects printing problems due to incorrect PDF files, missing fonts, images with low resolution and transparencies. Third-party devices allowance is integrated, so the user can control all machines in the printing room, including machines from another manufacturer.

AccurioPro Flux Premium – Automation and Collaboration

Premium version of AccurioPro Flux not only offers every aspect of the Essential module, but also a server designed for even greater automation and collaboration. With Premium module, users are able to work from anywhere through the app, whether from a PC, Mac or a mobile device. Users are also able to process print jobs directly on the printer through de Flux Panel, checking, previewing and editing. Besides detecting errors, the Flux server can be synced with third party system such as ERP and MIS for a more streamline process. It also facilitates collaboration between team members and every operator can have a personal and individual account so everyone can work at different workstations at the time. Print steps can be sent to clients through email updates automatically.

AccurioPro Flux Ultimate – Web-to-print

This last module of the software includes a web-to-print functionality. This allows clients to submit their orders through the online shop and 24/7. Documents by clients can be automatically preflight checked before printing them. The flux Document Converter allows uploading up to 300 different file formats to the web-to-print platform. This online shop can be also integrated into IT environments.

So Konica Minolta has provided a great option out there in the market so print shops can become not only automated, but improving in many aspects of their businesses including printing speed, the reachability for clients to deliver documents to printer queue, faster and larger communication between user-machine and at distance, so if you are considering stepping up your print shop, this may be a great solution.


Konica-minolta-workflow-AccurioPro-Flux

Konica Minolta AccurioPro Flux, Courtesy of Konica Minolta


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