News

Metrix Delivering “Zero Touch” Automation for Job Planning and Imposition

Chicago, IL, September 11, 2011 – LithoTechnics, Inc., developer of Metrix®, the intelligent, automated job planning and imposition system, announced today that they will demonstrate their upcoming release, Metrix 2011.1, which incorporates their groundbreaking automation technology.

Metrix has always automated certain tasks, such as calculating the job plan based on the job specifications, press setup, and finishing requirements, and then delivering the finished imposition. Moreover, setup of the Metrix project has been possible via XML since Metrix version 2.0 released in 2006. However, exporting the project as JDF or imposed PDF to the prepress system, and/or exporting JDF files to the finishing department, still required an operator present to approve and click “Export”. 

Metrix 2011.1 changes the entire paradigm. Now, with a Metrix XML job description file and either the Metrix Automation Server or the Metrix Automation Lite module, estimators, planners, prepress operators, or indeed other software systems can drop the XML into a hot folder and move on. This can literally mean that plates drop out the other end of the process, when no error conditions have been triggered. Metrix Automation can send email when the process begins for a particular project, when it has completed successfully, or when operator attention is required.

For larger companies requiring high throughput, Metrix 2011.1 Automation Server delivers breakthrough performance and productivity. Metrix Automation Server allows for a virtually unlimited number of hot folders, and parallel processing of multiple concurrent projects per hot folder! For companies not requiring such high volume throughput, the Metrix 2011.1 Automation Lite module offers incredible value. Automation Lite installs as an optional module of the standard Metrix and allows for a single hot folder per Metrix client, processing one project at a time per hot folder. It is an extremely affordable solution that enables every printer to process work completely automatically, error-free, and at unheard of speed.

Rohan Holt, President of LithoTechnics, Inc., and inventor of Metrix, said, “End-to-end, ‘lights-out’ automation has always been part of the Metrix vision, and for certain markets Metrix Automation completely fulfills that dream.” Holt continued, “Metrix Automation will do, totally automatically, what many companies spend hours of skilled labor doing. Many printers have a hard time believing this is possible. I invite everyone to come to our stand at GraphExpo (#653) and have a look for yourself. We will be demonstrating Metrix Automation Lite, and seeing is believing.”

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If you’d like more information about this topic, or if you’d like to arrange an interview with Rohan Holt, please call Davo Laninga.

About LithoTechnics

LithoTechnics is a privately held company founded in 2003 by Rohan Holt. Holt invented the first production planning software for the sheetfed market in 1995, and Metrix®, LithoTechnics’ flagship product, is the culmination of Holt’s years of print production experience and accumulated software design expertise. Metrix, launched in 2004, received the prestigious 2005 PIA/GATF InterTech™ Technology Award, recognized industry-wide as a symbol of technological innovation and excellence. With offices in Edmonds, Washington, Turnhout, Belgium, and south of Sydney, Australia, LithoTechnics is a software company focused on providing key tools and technologies to enable print workflow automation. LithoTechnics is a full member of the CIP4 Organization.

For more information visit http://www.lithotechnics.com
Contact Information
Davo Laninga, LithoTechnics, Inc.
Tel: +1 928 257 3286
Email: davo@lithotechnics.com

Metrix® is a trademark of Outback Software Pty Limited and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. JDF is a trademark of the CIP4 Organization. Other company, brand, or product names are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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