Estimating roll-fed digital printing

[Randall Blinn]

Good afternoon All;

 

Not much activity on the PSI User Group any more – I hope that you are all doing well (and actively looking for your PSI replacement).

 

I have a client purchasing a new roll-fed digital press with the in-line finishing equipment.  They are wondering if anyone has found an ERP/MIS solution that handles this new workflow.  The workflow changes include:

 

1. No more signature/layout like Offset/Sheetfed (i.e. 16 page using a folder to fold to page size)
2. Printing the entire product in-line – for example you have a 20 page 8.5x11 brochure

1. this would run as five (no of four-page “sigs”) 11.25” (or 11.5”) lengths on the roll (or 56.25” of roll length)
2. once one complete brochure is run through the press (i.e. 56.25”), the next copy would be started
3. at the unwind station the five x 11.25” lengths would be “sheeted” providing five 4-page “sigs” – producing out 20 page brochure
4. the 11.25” lengths would be stacked and finished (stitched, folder, etc.) – no collating because the five sheets (4-page sigs) are continuous on the roll

3. This workflow is entirely different than what most ERP/MIS solutions have been designed to Estimate

 

Have you found a stand-alone (or an ERP/MIS) solution that can Estimate this workflow??

 

Randall G Blinn

GRAPHIC COMPUTER CONSULTANTS, INC.

10704 Burnt Oaks Court

Louisville, KY  40241-1707

Office: 502/339-9500

Cell: 502/905-9116