PLP Digital Systems - All Articles

Save Thousands of Dollars with Competitive Upgrade for Repro Desk

PLP Digital Systems — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0000

An important decision lies ahead if you are using Repro Desk version 4.3 or 1.6. These products have been discontinued and are no longer being maintained or developed. This has several implications:

Your existing software is obsolete
If you are replacing a 9800 with a TDS series printer, Repro Desk 4.3/1.6 is not an option
Existing software defects (bugs) will not be fixed
There will no further enhancements or new features

Customers who have analyzed the available upgrade paths to either Repro Desk Select or Repro Desk Professional have found:

The upgrade is expensive due to server requirements. Estimates ranged from $5,000 to $8,000 for the hardware, operating system, database software, backup software, etc.
The workflow is significantly different (described as "cumbersome" by several customers) when compared to Repro Desk 4.3/1.6.
Neither Repro Desk Select nor Repro Desk Professional adequately address PDF processing issues such as speed and image quality.
Switching to PlotWorks Pro is the best option.

PLP is offering a competitive upgrade from Repro Desk to PlotWorks Pro through September 30, 2011. You will have to make a change a some point in the future. Make the change now to save thousands of dollars with this time-limited offer.

This offer applies to users of:

Repro Desk Professional
Repro Desk Select
Repro Desk Studio
Repro Desk 1.6
Repro Desk 4.3

If you using any of these products to drive color or monochrome devices, either in-house or at your FM sites, we encourage you to learn more about this competitive upgrade offer.

Jump to:

Why should I consider this?
Why should I consider this now?
How do I learn more?
I am interested — please contact me.

Why should I consider this?

PlotWorks Pro is not a Dead End

Established in 1989, PLP has a long history of continuous improvement within the reprographics industry. We typically release major versions every 12-24 months, with functionally meaningful updates throughout the year. If you are concerned that ongoing development of your existing software has been terminated or indefinitely deferred, you should consider this upgrade offer.

PDF Processing is Fast with High Quality

We estimate that the PDF file format represents 85-95 percent of the digital files that reprographers receive. With PlotWorks Pro, PDF processing is not an afterthought or optional capability. It is integrated and frequently updated to address the constant evolution of the PDF files you receive. Customers worldwide select our software for their PDF processing needs due to speed, image quality and our commitment to frequent updates.

Unified Workflow Saves Time and Money

Most of the installations that we have performed in the past 18 months have been for systems to drive monochrome, color, large format and small format devices. Instead of using different software programs to prepare and submit jobs, our customers build their jobs once, and then submit to the printer of their choice. This saves time, saves money and eliminates frustration. With the included WYSISYP viewer you know how each job will print before you print it, regardless of the make/model of printer that will be used. PlotWorks Pro supports:

Large format monochrome printers from Oce (9800, TDS and PlotWave), KIP and Xerox
Large format monochrome printers from Oce (TCS and ColorWave), Canon and HP
Small format monochrome and color printers from most manufactures

Please see the list of supported printers for additional information.

Continuous Innovation Provides Opportunities and Choices

PLP has a long history of providing innovative solutions to the reprographics industry. From a hardware retrofit to use a 9800 scanner in a stand-alone configuration, to online folding solutions for the HP Designjet T7100 printer, we continually strive to deliver solutions that provide new revenue opportunities, more choices, and greater operational efficiencies. When was the last time you saw or received something innovative with your existing software?

Notable innovations in the recent past include:

Job Center. Included with every PlotWorks Pro system, this module allows you to keep track of every job in every production department: color, monochrome, large format, small format, graphic arts and more. With a printable, customizable work order and a centralized job board formatted for a large flat panel display, everyone in your organization will have immediate visibility into work in progress.
Remote Client. Included with every PlotWorks Pro system. With automatic updates, a configurable job ticket and HTTP uploads, the Remote Client streamlines the way customers send you jobs. Learn more ...
eOrder. Included with every PlotWorks Pro system. With the second generation of this web-based order submission tool, your customers may submit their jobs online with a minimal amount of effort. Branded to match the look and feel of your website, eOrder contains a highly configurable job ticket so that you can capture the information you need for each job. eOrder is an optional add-on for PlotWorks Pro.
RevLine. Add value to the construction process. Your involvement in change management and communication makes you an important partner in the construction process. RevLine is an optional add-on for PlotWorks Pro. Learn more ...

Optimal Image Quality

Obtaining optimal image quality from your monochrome printer can be challenging when working with color or grayscale drawings. With PlotWorks Pro, you have multiple options for mapping colors and grayscales to their shaded halftones. Dithering options include high-resolution ordered patterns and error diffusion. And you can specify these on a per-sheet basis. For example, use ordered pattern dithering for sheets containing embedded images, and use error diffusion for line drawings.

Half-size quality is another imaging challenge. Instead of rasterizing PDF and DWF files at full-size and then scaling the raster image to half-size, PlotWorks Pro scales the originals and then rasterizes to retain grayscale and detail. With TIFF images, users invoke our resampling function when scaling to achieve the best possible results.

Ease and Cost of Installation

PlotWorks Pro requires a workstation-class PC, not a server. With PlotWorks Pro you do not need to spend thousands of dollars on a rack-mount server, database software and backup software. Simply install PlotWorks Pro on a workstation and you're done.

World Class Customer Support

PLP is well known for our world class customer support. We have core competencies in image processing, PDF assessment, workflow, logistics and training. Ask any of our customers: with PLP you receive timely and accurate responses to your reported issues and questions. Customer satisfaction surveys (randomly performed when support tickets are closed) consistently rate PLP higher than most of the best known technology brands.

Planroom Integration (DFS and PlanWell)

If you are using DFS or PlanWell, take advantage of the planroom integration included with every PlotWorks Pro system. Simply extract a job from the planroom in the PlotWorks format, and it will appear in your Job Queue a few moments later. When you're ready to print, specify the printer you wish to use and then release the job.

Why should I consider this now?

Customers who upgrade from Repro Desk to PlotWorks Pro by September 30, 2011 will receive substantial discounts. There are several licensing options to choose from, both perpetual and subscription.

A perpetual software license entitles you to use the software as-delivered in perpetuity. A software maintenance and technical support contract, which can be purchased annually, will keep the software current including patches, service packs, point releases and full version releases.

A subscription license entitles you to use the software for the duration of the subscription term, typically 12, 24 or 36 months. Software maintenance and technical support are included. Under a subscription license you can drive up to four printers from a single PlotWorks Pro workstation (provided that the desired configuration is physically and computationally practical), and you may swap printers at any time without additional fees.

Option 1: Perpetual License

Place your order by September 30, 2011 and receive a 35% discount on the software. The final price will vary by system depending on which features are desired or required - we will work with you to determine the optimal configuration for your environment. In most scenarios the 35% discount should amount to at least $3500 in savings. Additionally, the professional services fee of $500 for installation, configuration and training will be waived.

Option 2: Subscription License Paid Annually in Advance

If you're not sure of your long term plans, or if you simply wish to preserve cash, you can rent the software for 12, 24 or 36 months. If you elect to pay annually in advance:

A PC (quad core CPU with 4 GB memory) and flat panel monitor will be provided at no charge for the term of the contract
The professional services fee of $500 for installation, configuration and training will be waived
Your effective monthly fee will be reduced by at least 5.6%

	12 Month Term	24 Month Term	36 Month Term
Effective Monthy Fee	$411	$391	$372

Option 3: Subscription License Paid Monthly

If you elect to pay for your subscription license monthly in advance:

The professional services fee of $500 for installation, configuration and training will be waived
Your monthly fee will be reduced by at least 4.8% with a subscription term of 24 months or longer

	12 Month Term	24 Month Term	36 Month Term
Monthy Fee	$438	$417	$397

How do I learn more?

Feel free to give us a call at +1-703-740-8909 x3, or send us a note.

We would be happy to schedule a one-on-one demonstration for you and your team.

PLP's Blueprint for Change Program Helps Reprographers Profit from CIM

PLP Digital Systems — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:42:26 +0000

Arlington, VA—PLP Digital Systems is expanding its Blueprint for Change program to help reprographers meet today's demands for Construction Information Management (CIM). This four-month marketing strategy program, which piloted in 2010, is now accepting applications for the 2011 session.

Construction technology represents a significant opportunity to companies with strong relationships in AEC, but whose services have been commoditized and whose volumes are dropping by as much as 30% year over year. The Blueprint for Change strategy program (www.plp.com/b4c) is designed to guide these print companies into a new market position, and change their brand to increase sales.

John Cronin, CEO of PLP, says "Changes in the construction industry in the way digital content is managed, shared, and distributed is challenging our customers to stay relevant and strategic to their AEC customers. PLP has always worked to help our customers succeed, and we're excited with the progress our pilot B4C participants have seen."

PLP Digital Systems has partnered with PLS Launch Solutions, a marketing strategy firm, to offer the Blueprint program. President Michele Gleber says, "It's tremendously satisfying to help these businesses change and to measure their progress, not in just a new look or tagline, but real revenue growth from technology and CIM services."

Pilot participants were leading companies like Duncan-Parnell, Lynn Imaging, and Barker Blue, who each have completed major rebranding efforts and seen improved technology sales in 2010.

About PLP Digital Systems

For more than 20 years, PLP Digital Systems (www.plp.com) has powered the information that powers construction. Best known for products like PlotWorks, PLP's software solutions and world-class customer support help their partners produce and manage the construction information that's critical to their customer's projects.

About PLS Launch Solutions

PLS Launch Solutions (www.launchsolutions.com) works with technology leaders looking to grow and change their businesses. Their marketing strategy and execution services have helped CEOs launch new products, diversify into new markets, and change the way they think about, talk about, and reach new customers. PLS has worked in the wide format print and software industries for 25 years, and is based in Rochester, NY.

Media Contact:
Michele Gleber
585-256-1640 x221
michele@launchsolutions.com

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Service Point Signs Agreement with PLP Digital Systems, Inc. to Roll Out OpCenter Platform Worldwide

PLP Digital Systems — Mon, 16 May 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Service Point Solutions, S.A. (www.servicepoint.net) (ticker: SPS.MC) has signed an agreement with PLP Digital Systems, Inc., a leading vendor of workflow and business intelligence for construction information management. This agreement will allow Service Point to maximize the group's operational efficiency in its AEC and infrastructure lines of business, and offer new innovative digital services to its customers.

Under this agreement, PLP will supply the technology for Service Point in all group subsidiaries. PLP's OpCenter solution will provide Service Point with a leading edge platform that increases the transparency and accountability necessary to implement new digital business models.

The OpCenter platform integrates with market leading hardware devices and software applications to provide streamlined workflow and market intelligence in real time. This will allow Service Point to easily distribute, share and track work across its global network.

According to Joan Carles Peiro, COO of Service Point Solutions, "The partnership with PLP allows us to achieve maximum operational efficiencies across the group, providing rich analytical tools to continually improve our production processes."

John Cronin, CEO of PLP says "We are excited to be working closely with Service Point to upgrade their operations to meet the demands of their new digital, ecommerce- business models."

About PLP

For more than 20 years, PLP Digital Systems (www.plp.com) has powered the information that powers construction. PLP's software solutions and world-class customer support help its partners produce and manage the construction information critical to their customers' projects. PLP works with construction information managers around the world to improve their profitability by decreasing operating costs and by creating new revenue opportunities.

About Service Point Solutions

Service Point Solutions (www.servicepoint.net) is a leader in document and information management. It is present in a broad spectrum of industries, including architecture, engineering, construction, finance, public and education segments. It employs 2,400 people across ten countries (the UK, US, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Hong Kong, France and Sweden) via a network of 128 service points worldwide and 794 facilities management programs. Headquartered in Spain, SPS is listed on the Madrid and Barcelona stock exchanges (ticker: SPS.MC).

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PLP Digital Systems Honored as ReproMAX Vendor of the Year

PLP Digital Systems — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Las Vegas, NV—PLP Digital Systems has been named ReproMAX Vendor of the Year for the second time. Each year, hundreds of ReproMAX companies around the world vote to determine which of their partners would be recognized for their commitment to innovation, value added to the construction information management (CIM) chain, thought leadership, quality, and responsiveness.

The Vendor of the Year award was presented to PLP's President and CEO, John Cronin, at the ReproMAX Executive Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"PLP has been a driving force and a thought leader in the industry," stated Rick Bosworth, President of ReproMAX. "Through innovation and guidance they are helping our member companies to play an increasingly important role in managing information for the construction industry."

"This award recognizes the steadfast commitment that PLP has made to ReproMAX, its member companies, and the industry as a whole," stated Cronin. "We're honored to be seen as a leader in helping ReproMAX members improve their businesses. Our CIM technologies let them deliver new services that accelerate their customers' cash flow by increasing transparency and accountability."

PLP was first named ReproMAX Vendor of the Year in 2007, and is the only partner in ReproMAX history to have been selected twice.

About PLP

About ReproMAX

ReproMAX (www.repromax.com) is the largest international network of independent reprographic and document management companies. With expertise in construction data management and construction printing services, ReproMAX has over 300 locations in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

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Introducing the Remote Client

PLP Digital Systems — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 19:35:44 +0000

While a client version of PlotWorks has been available for many years, it has been geared primarily towards in-house usage where advanced capabilities are required. With the introduction of PlotWorks 7.0, a remote client is now available that is designed specifically for remote submissions by casual users. It is easy to use and fills several gaps exposed by competing offerings.

Customer Installable

Have you ever made trips to customer sites just to install client software, or to train them to use the application? By simplifying both usage and installation the PlotWorks Remote Client is truly customer installable. A single installer combined with a simple one-line, cut-and-paste configuration greatly reduces overhead for both you and your customer.

Color and Monochrome Images

You no longer have to be concerned about how customers send you work. Instead of asking them to use one method for monochrome jobs, and another method for color jobs, they can use the PlotWorks Remote Client to send both, even as a mixed job. This is obviously easier on the customer, and makes tracking and management easier for you.

Large and Small Format

With the PlotWorks Remote Client, customers can now send you plans and specifications in a single upload. Plans are detected as large format documents, and specifications are detected as small format documents. All of the data is contained in a single job, and the automatic size detection prevents small format documents from reaching a large format printer, unless you choose otherwise.

Submissions via HTTP or HTTPS

Historically, client applications of this nature have relied on the FTP protocol, either active or passive, to upload images and instructions to a server. FTP submissions will often require IT administrators to do something they loathe – poke holes in their firewall. With HTTP or HTTPS submissions this is not an issue.

Automatic Updates

With hundreds of remote client installations in the field, do you really want to be in the business of visiting each one when an update is required? File formats such as PDF tend to constantly evolve. An application that you installed at a customer site six months ago may be rendered useless over time. The PlotWorks Remote Client updates itself, but these updates are under your control, not ours. You can decide what you want to push out, to whom, and when. The next time the customer launches their client application, it will check your server to see if an update is available, then download and apply the update.

Configurable Job Ticket

All too often we have experienced the "one size fits all" approach to job tickets. The PlotWorks Remote Client includes a highly-configurable job ticket, allowing you to require as little or as much information as you would like. But it gets better. The job ticket automatically updates itself too. Let's say that on day one you only offer three media choices. Two months later you realize that there's a huge market for printing either monochrome or color jobs on Tyvek with your solid ink printer. Simply update the job ticket on your server. The next time a customer submits a job, they will be presented with the new option. You don't have to send them loose files that they install in the wrong places, and you don't need to go on-site.

Submission ID Tracking

Each incoming submission from a PlotWorks Remote Client is assigned a Submission ID -- a way for both you and your customer to refer to the same job. Again, instead of a "one size fits all" approach, the format of the Submission ID is determined by you, not by us.

Automatic Email Notifications

Upon receipt of the job the customer will receive an email message, including the Submission ID, notifying them that their job has been successfully received. The content of the email notification is also configurable. Outbound messaging options for the SMTP protocol include authentication, port number and SSL, allowing you to specify virtually any SMTP service available.

Flexible Authentication

Several authentication methods are available. At one end of the spectrum you may choose to allow anonymous submissions to your server. Or you may decide to assign a unique User ID to every person at every customer site. And there are plenty of options in the middle. For example, you may choose to assign a unique User ID that is to be used for submissions to a particular production location.

Supports Multiple Production Locations

Instead of one centralized server to receive all jobs for all locations, you can easily install one receiving server at each production location in order to reduce "time to data." Alternatively, you can configure a centralized server to automatically route jobs to the appropriate location based on the submission User ID.

Direct to Queue

Every job submitted from the PlotWorks Remote Client will be transferred to a centralized print queue in each production location. The jobs will have a "hold" status pending operator review. The operator can instantly see the Submission ID and related instructions provided by the customer.

PLP Digital Systems - All Articles

Save Thousands of Dollars with Competitive Upgrade for Repro Desk

Why should I consider this?

PlotWorks Pro is not a Dead End

PDF Processing is Fast with High Quality

Unified Workflow Saves Time and Money

Continuous Innovation Provides Opportunities and Choices

Optimal Image Quality

Ease and Cost of Installation

World Class Customer Support

Planroom Integration (DFS and PlanWell)

Why should I consider this now?

Option 1: Perpetual License

Option 2: Subscription License Paid Annually in Advance

Option 3: Subscription License Paid Monthly

How do I learn more?

PLP's Blueprint for Change Program Helps Reprographers Profit from CIM

Related Stories

Service Point Signs Agreement with PLP Digital Systems, Inc. to Roll Out OpCenter Platform Worldwide

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PLP Digital Systems Honored as ReproMAX Vendor of the Year

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Introducing the Remote Client

Customer Installable

Color and Monochrome Images

Large and Small Format

Submissions via HTTP or HTTPS

Automatic Updates

Configurable Job Ticket

Submission ID Tracking

Automatic Email Notifications

Flexible Authentication

Supports Multiple Production Locations

Direct to Queue

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