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GATF Releases Four Research Studies
Reports feature PDF setup and digital proofing
Four original research studies on color management workflow, PDF setup and digital color proofing have been released by GATF.
The color management workflow study looks at the color accuracy and workflow timesavings of color management systems. The study finds that color quality depends on operators, but that CMS systems offer time savings and waste reduction.
The PDF setup study was designed to evaluate the image quality of several different compression settings in PDF. The study concludes that compression affects color, detail and modeling. Overall, the JPEG-Medium compression setting produces files 75 percent to 80 percent smaller than an uncompressed EPS image, with little difference in quality.
The digital proofing study looked at 12 digital proofing devices, focusing on repeatability and consistency. The study reports on customer satisfaction, return on investment and degree of use of the technology.
GATF has also released a report entitled Chargeable vs. Nonchargeable Downtime in Electronic Prepress. Composed of 26 questions, the survey asked about procedures and pricing on fixing "easy" preflighting problems, such as converting RGB to CMYK, missing fonts, etc. The study reports that prepress houses, service bureaus and large printers are less likely to provide services without charging than small and mid-size printers.
For more information, contact Sara Welsh at (800) 910-GATF or e-mail info@gatf.org.
Workflow Subsidiary Announces Two Deals
iGetSmart.com joins forces with Print Buyers Association and American Identity
A $5.8 million agreement has been reached between the iGetSmart.com subsidiary of Workflow Management and the Printing Brokerage/Buyers Association.
The agreement gains Workflow a master licensing fee of $5.8 million in return for the utilization of the company's e-commerce platform at the association's 700 brokerage, buyer and trade manufacturing locations in the U.S., Canada and overseas. In addition, iGetSmart.com will receive a percentage of revenues for transactions conducted on its network. The annual PB/BA member throughput currently exceeds $5 billion.
The company has also announced that iGetSmart.com has formed an alliance with Kansas City, Missouri-based American Identity, one of the nation's largest promotional products distributors.
Under the agreement, American Identity can utilize components of the iGetSmart.com system to enhance its electronic service offering to its 20,000 customers. In addition, American Identity will offer its 4,000 rapid ship, on-demand promotional products through iGetSmart.com licensed resellers and the iGetSmart.com Web site.
Roger Henry, president of American Identity, noted that iGetSmart's "depth of back-end fulfillment and supplier marketplace services will allow us to both serve our existing customers and attract new customers more effectively."
Tangled Up in "Nots"?
Help employees see promise rather than peril
We've all witnessed employees who slumped around the office with what seemed to be a dark cloud hovering over them. Wherever they went, problems, miscommunications and extra work followednothing was ever good enough, fast enough or complete enough.
Medical studies and common sense tell us that people tied up in "nots" get tied up in knotsexperiencing more physical, emotional and situational complications than those with a more positive approach. They seem to get less work done and generally have a counterproductive effect on those around them.
Being positive doesn't mean hopping through the office oblivious to all the difficulties and challenges of the work environment, but it does mean looking at situations and seeing the promise rather than the peril.
Encourage your employees to do the following and you'll soon see that different words and different attitudes get different results.
Use positive words. Clinical psychologists say that we hear and remember positive wording better than negative wordingparticularly instructions. Rather than saying "My managers don't communicate with each other," try "My managers should find ways to communicate about projects on a regular basis." Positive words sink in easier, deeper and faster.
Emphasize positive angles. Saying what you are for, instead of what you are against; what you're going to do, not what you won't do; what you can do, rather than what you can't do.
For example, as part of a licensing agreement a large computer company was required to provide telephone support to users via an 800 number. When a call came in on a complex question, the company's reps would spend hours researching the answerbut no records were kept.
A manager was assigned to put together an online database of answers. His first step was to have the reps record their answers and send him copies, so he could enter them into the database.
His memo began: "As you know, we are legally obligated to provide a four-hour response on all customer calls. Currently, we are backlogged with customer calls and making little or no progress; complaints continue to grow..." This negative approach prompted little cooperation.
A second memo generated a much better response: "Would you like to get through your customer calls more quickly? Help is on the way. For the next 30 days, simply record and forward me a copy of..."
Negative words reflect negative attitudes from negative people. The positive angle takes more thought, but the results are well worth the effort.
By Dianna Booher
Dianna Booher is CEO of Booher Consultants, a communications consulting firm in Dallas. She is a keynote speaker and author of 37 books, including "Communicate with Confidence!" She can be reached by calling (800) 342-6621 or visiting www.booherconsultants.com.
Moore Rebounded in 1999
After a difficult year in 1998, Moore bounced back in 1999 with net earnings of $93 million, compared with a net loss of $548 million in the previous year. Sales totaled $2.4 billion, compared with $2.7 billion for 1998.
According to Moore, the decrease in sales of $293 million is mainly the result of divestitures and liquidations.
In addition, a restructuring charge of $68 million was taken in 1999, compared with $615 million in 1998.
Moore also invested $23 million in research and development in 1999 and expects to make an incremental technology investment of $35 million in 2000 to position the company as a leader in digital information systems. In 1999, e-commerce business accounted for approximately $125 million in revenue.
Ward/Kraft Introduces U-Seal
Ward/Kraft, Fort Scott, Kan., has launched U-Seal, a patented self-seal mailer exclusive to the company.
Using a standard C- , Z- or V-fold pattern, laser or cut sheet forms can be folded and sealed by hand or by several machine methodsincluding table top folders, bursters, folder/sealers and Bowie cutters.
According to the company, the advantages of using this product include reduced equipment cost, time and labor savings and a wide variety of design possibilities.
For more information, call (800) 821-4021 or visit www.wardkraft.com.
Datagraphic Names Wiegand VP, Sales and Marketing
Datagraphic, Roswell, Ga., has added Dick Wiegand to its management team as vice president of sales and marketing.
Wiegand has more than 30 years of industry experience, most recently as vice president of sales and marketing for Block Graphics, Portland, Ore.
DFS Introduces Color Printing Program
A short-run, full-color printing program has been introduced by DFS Business Forms.
The "Full Color Solutions" program allows distributors either to submit electronic files or use the DFS complete graphic design service.
The program also offers a full-color catalog for promotional use, a dedicated customer service team and a 100 percent unconditional product guarantee.
For more information, call (888) 598-1234.
Signs of the Times
There is no risk of miscommunication in the cooperative marketing campaign DeSoto, Texas-based Ennis recently put together for distributors.
The program, Not Speaking Your Customers' Language?, employs eight colorful 6x9&Mac253; postcards featuring instantly recognizable symbols to depict various marketing concepts.
By using the cards to target current and prospective customers, distributors can market available products without accruing creative design and printing costs. The cards can be personalized with the distributor's information and marketing message at special cooperative program rates.
Additional information is available by calling (800) 972-1069 or clicking on www.ennis.com.