Part 1: Software Printers and Enterprise Customers Are Finding More Software Solutions for >> VDP Success

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Part 1: Software Printers and enterprise customers are finding more software solutions for >> VDP success.

22 What’s Easier to Do, 23 Harder to Sort Out?

Variable data printing (VDP) strategies are on a lot of minds and whiteboards these days. “More people are interested in it because it’s getting easier to do,” stated one industry pundit. The VDP market is as dynamic and diverse as the documents it helps generate. Dozens of companies offer scores of solutions, while users and services providers are busy creating applications by the thousands. This report highlights the diversity of the market and provides a snapshot of some of the many solutions available.

BY CARRO FORD WESTON

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Ease of use, quick deployment, seamless postcards, coupons, newsletters, full-length output generated by billing information a DAM system. For Web-to-print integration, open systems, single platform, proposals, and more, with each individually systems into fully customized documents. applications, one key problem Web-based capabilities, enterprise scalabil- customized by text, image, color, chart, and The company is focused on two verticals: solved by the use of Pageflex tech- ity, and multi-channel delivery—these are layout. Working with QuarkXPress 6.0 for healthcare and retailers. nology is providing accurate some of the terms venders use to describe the Mac OS X, Darwin makes it possible to “Our integrated technology and produc- online previews and online their VDP heaven. Since so many claim sim- create, preview, and print full-color variable tion platform enables us to convert standard editable documents with an exact ilar capabilities, what do they say makes documents of unlimited length and com- billing output into fully customized, patient- match to the printed output.” When organizations need to their products unique? plexity. Advanced pre-flight allows users to friendly documents delivered in the most modernize their workflows Part of the uniqueness of PlanetPress check for the longest combination of vari- effective manner. Our uniqueness is driven by One Platform, Many within current infrastructure, Software from Objectif Lune comes from able information text fields, in order to our proprietary platform, which provides all Possibilities documents“ can be stored at offloading the heavy lifting to the printer- adjust the text boxes. The Spire color server services from within IXT’s core architecture.” Another aspect of the vast vari- printer level, receiving legacy any PostScript Level 2 printer to be exact. and Creo Variable Print Specification file One reason VDP solutions have grown able market is represented by data with no need for “When organizations need to modernize format combine to drive highly efficient more popular is that vendors have paid solutions like DesignMerge additional middleware and no change to system their workflows within current infrastruc- processing of variable output. The Creo attention to market trends, such as the from Meadows Publishing applications.” ture, documents can be stored at printer Variable Print Specification allows precise desire for integrated systems and work- Solutions. These specialty products level, receiving legacy data with no need control of print criteria and output. The flow, and processes that extend beyond the enhance the capabilities of other tools to Statement produced with DIDIER GOMBERT, CEO, OBJECTIF LUNE PrintSoft Americas’ for additional middleware and no change Spire color server, driving a range of digital print room. “The trends we see are that better play in the variable data arena. “We PReS Printer Resource to system applications,” explains Objectif color presses, interprets Creo’s Variable organizations are looking for help beyond are the premier extension for QuarkXPress, Software. Lune CEO Didier Gombert. “This grants Print Specification for high-speed output of creating a variable document for print or offering capabilities unmatched at our price users greater freedom in selecting the even the most lengthy, complex documents. electronic delivery. The customers we talk point and the only cross-platform VDP prod- hardware they need, because they know to are looking to manage the entire cus- uct for QuarkXPress,” explains Jeff Cain, 24 the same documents will perform equally From PReS to Proprietary tomer communication process,” notes DesignMerge OEM and Channel Manager. 25 well on a number of different engines.” A PrintSoft’s flagship product, PReS Printer Group 1 Manager of Market Development, “We are in the process of offering the same PlanetPress workflow module manages Resource Software, allows both simple and Clarence Hempfield. “Group 1’s Customer capabilities as a plug-in for Adobe’s distribution and production of documents, complex layouts with text, pictures, data- Communication Management (CCM) soft- InDesign.” Further differentiation comes locally or remotely, while providing options driven graphics, barcodes and variable ware is unique because it is not just a VD from cross platform support for Mac OS9 to create electronic versions for distribu- data. “Users can create a document in any application, but rather it is a true customer and OSX, Windows 98/NT/2000/XP, and vir- tion via email and fax, and for archiving. output format for printing or electronic communication management solution that tually all VDP languages. Capabilities like Creo’s Darwin tools allow users to create, The Darwin VI Authoring Tool from Creo publishing,” explains Paul White, PrintSoft simplifies everything from accessing and CopyFit, GroupPicture, rules, sequencing, preview, and print variable documents of unlimited length and complexity. helps create full-color, variable information Director of Marketing. “PReS Designer, the manipulating data to document creation, bar coding, and multiple VDP language sup- In retail, the opportunity is to design front end, lets users rapidly create distribution, vaulting of data and docu- port offer added value. convert standardized output complex variable data documents in real- ments, and replenishment.” “GMC has responded to the convergence into personalized credit time featuring dynamic graphics using “Our early customers are adding on of applications today by broadening the “statements,” DTP, drag-and-drop techniques. The prod- capacity, and applications are getting very capabilities of PrintNet to handle the needs LYLE BEASLEY, CEO, IXT SOLUTIONS uct also has a scripting language for more creative,” says Alice Fackre, Pageflex Product of three variable document types: promo- complex applications. PReS drives printers Marketing Manager. To accommodate this tional printing for sales and marketing, one- in their native language at rated speed, and burst of creativity, Pageflex lets documents to-one printing such as direct mail and it does real-time IPDS output, something flex to handle variable content in a single lay- benefits packages, and transactional output, that some competitors do not do.” out. “Easy-to-use and easy-to-deploy are the all from one platform,” says Rene Mueller, Nearly 70 percent of PrintSoft’s 6,000- hot buttons, along with integration with exist- CEO of GMC Software AG. “Comprehensive, plus licenses are held by service bureaus, ing infrastructures, everything from order integrated PrintNet capabilities allow our but many service bureaus have turned out management to CRM and DAM systems. customers to go from raw data editing, to lay- their own proprietary versions of the VDP With Pageflex, multiple data sources can be out, composition, test printing, production tools they need for their customers. used in a single variable data project, for printing, and final finishing.” The software IXT Solutions uses its proprietary tech- instance, data coming from a Web form, makes it easier to proof tough variable con- nology platform to transform standard input from a CRM system, and content from tent applications using live data, something

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LEVERAGING VDP SUCCESS ACROSS MANY VERTICALS

As a direct marketing partner for customers, variable By automating Americo’s policyholder communications and messaging capabilities are extremely important to PLM’s strategy. setting up a centralized rules repository, the number of manual “Timely, relevant communication is becoming more and more steps needed to issue and underwrite policies were reduced by >>Creative Cross-Selling critical to the success of businesses today,” says Rob Seccareccia, 80 percent, increasing workflow productivity and efficiency. >>Variable Data Delivers VP of Digital Services for PLM Group. “Solutions that enable first- Through the impact of this reengineering effort, Americo for Pizza Promotion Use of variable data isn’t limited to marketing messages or to-market positioning and cost reductions are the most valuable.” projected first year savings alone of approximately $450,000. account balances. For The Principal Financial Group, VDP involves PLM uses a combination of PrintNet T Triple Suite document By issuing policies faster, more than 8,000 Americo agents Variable data technology puts customization in the hands of on-the-fly, data-driven selection of images, logos, and fonts. design and composition software from GMC Software, and a suite nationwide get paid sooner, which ultimately translates into local franchises for a successful campaign that is delivering The Principal Financial Group is the nation’s largest 401(k) of PrintNet Web modules. increased customer service and greater net premiums. tasty results for Pizza Hut. This is one of many examples of administrative services provider. “With our document design, composition, and Web tools, variable data innovation to be found in the PODi searchable With retail banks now free to offer insurance products, and insur- PLM gains opportunities to streamline workflow, improve online database of best practices in digital printing. ance companies able to provide mutual funds, home equity loans, and turnaround of print-on-demand applications, and save costs,” Pizza Hut’s research indicated higher numbers of other investment options to their customers, statements were an Seccareccia notes. He anticipates increasing efficiencies of working mothers were experiencing the strain of work and opportunity to cross-sell newly available services. The Principal operation as much as 25 percent. “We have more power and >>Customer-Centric household responsibilities. By 4:00 PM, many of these moms Financial Group recognized that market changes had made account flexibility to tailor content, messages, and images to the exact Marketing were still not sure what to serve for dinner, and the drive statements key tools for strengthening long-term customer loyalty. requirements of our clients. We also can tap into an extensive home was a good opportunity to influence their decision. Group 1’s design partner, Information Design Associates, range of data sources.” Faced with an erosion of their existing credit card base, fewer The resulting SunVisor Value marketing piece folds to helped The Principal Financial Group redesign their defined Web-based capabilities help PLM achieve significant time annual transactions per active accounts, and a reduction in accommodate the sun visor in a family vehicle. Attached to contribution participant statements to make them more usable and and cost savings by eliminating courier services to deliver hard overall portfolio balance, Dayton, Ohio-based retail giant Elder- each piece are a number of coupons that reference the Beerman decided to take strategic actions to improve their credit specific Pizza Hut restaurant in the customer’s area. Each 28 attractive. The new statement is printed on an 11 x 17 sheet and copy proofs. “We can show clients a more convenient Web 29 folded, creating a four-page booklet. Headings were enlarged to proof,” Seccareccia notes. In addition, each document works card program. Their approach to was to marry intensified new store location can customize and order specific print runs with lead readers to important data-driven information such as account exactly the same way in the Web-viewed variable data proof as it account acquisitions with a customer loyalty program that their location information, predetermined offers, and balance and a personalized rate of return for the reporting period. will in actual production. As a result, costly errors in production coupled specialized incentives with enhanced, marketing-driven quantities. Currently 130 locations are ordering The Principal Financial Group added dynamic color pie charts to runs are greatly reduced. customer statements. 500,000 customized pieces on a quarterly display asset allocation and total account balance by risk category. A successful customer loyalty program hinged on the basis. The new statement also enables them to co-brand the statements company’s ability to segment customers into distinct groups and Originally, the concept was tested in the Atlanta for commercial accounts by adding company logos on the fly. intelligently market to them based on their specific buying market, and results demonstrated that participation rates, The Principal Financial Group was using COBOL programs habits. Elder-Beerman’s existing credit system was extremely total bill, and the return on investment for the SunVisor with embedded DJDE commands to produce pension and 401k robust, but lacked flexibility. While they were using the statement product were significantly higher than for traditional take- statements. These programs couldn’t support the new design >>Growth Equals to communicate with their existing customers, all customers away promotion products. incorporating more powerful variable content, which included Re-engineering receiving the same promotional message and inserts. Currently, over 130 restaurants are participating in the full-color dynamic graphics. A single DOC1 application using just What they were really looking for was the ability to create program. With a greater than 700 percent ROI and weekly one set of rules composes 1.5 million statements in Postscript Americo Life, Inc. provides over $44 billion of life insurance personalized customer statements. They discovered that the sales $5,000 higher per site than other campaigns. Pizza for printing on nine Xerox 2060s and an equal number of PDF protection to more than 850,000 policyholders, with new ones necessary custom programming required to get these results Hut and their franchises are very excited about the statements for archival and reprint purposes. coming on every day. from their existing billing program was cost prohibitive. With IXT effectiveness of this campaign. New premium revenues increased 28 percent in 2002, and Solutions, they found a choice they could afford. SunVisor Value achieved a redemption rate of 18 83 percent in 2003. To support the rapid growth, the company IXT automatically converts Elder-Beerman’s standard billing percent versus the eight to nine percent for needed to re-engineer its processes to more efficiently produce files into statements and letters designed specifically for each traditional box top promotions. The redemption personalized, compliant policy packages and enable more rapid customer, with no custom programming required. The one-to-one rate, when combined with an average guest roll out of new products. segmentation of personalized messages and coupons transformed check of $14.62, results in per restaurant >>Making Customers xPression from Document Sciences helps the insurer a monthly financial statement into an extraordinary marketing tool. sales of at least $5,000 greater than More Competitive leverage all forms of content and data within Americo’s With IXT’s personalized credit statements, Elder-Beerman with other promotions. These enterprise IT systems to produce policy-related documents. now delivers effective, targeted messages directly on each credit results provided an ROI of The PLM Group is one of Canada’s fastest growing full-service xPression streamlines policy creation and delivery by enabling a statement each month. “Our customers have responded 707 percent, nearly 300 commercial printers. Advertising agencies, plus end users in single platform for high-volume print policy production, as well positively, with significant increases in both card usage and percent greater than retail, financial, and automotive industries, rely on PLM to make as real-time delivery of policy-related documents that can be credit sales growth,” said Steven Lipton, Elder-Beerman the next best product variable data-based campaigns attractive, effective, and on time. published, archived, and delivered through electronic channels. SVP/Controller. tested.

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Creo Darwin Desktop Makes authoring process simple and intuitive, with no need for scripting or programming. not every solution can do, and GMC was an of highly customized documents in real time www.creo.com Final output can be printed on any PostScript printer while minimizing the spooled file size. early provider of a PrintNet version for Mac or high-volume batch print.” Darwin Pro Enhanced feature set for more complex job includes support for Darwin Driven Graphics, which extends the range of complex variable documents beyond variable text, colors images and pages to data-rich diagrams, charts and bars. environments. PrintNet offers a complete Document Sciences Corp. xPression Delivers any personalized business content across the enterprise in real-time, in high volume, through multiple line-up of online capabilities, including Marking Milestones www.docscience.com output channels simultaneously such as print, Web, and email. It places open component-based architecture proofing and job submission. 2004 was an active year for players in the vari- (XML/J2EE) at the core of its solution. Exstream Software Dialogue Complete software suite is for creating, personalizing, and delivering fully personalized customer communication. Dialogue Software from Exstream gives able data market. Some of their highlights www.exstream.com It combines personalized document creation, campaign management and tracking, and multi-channel delivery. It the ability to create any kind of document include acquisitions, product launches and has more than 50 fully integrated modules, a rapid Web application development environment, and browser-based design interface. on any scale, a capability not all VDP solu- enhanced capabilities. Document Sciences GMC Software AG PrintNet T Triple Suite Product for business transaction, promotional, one-to-one communications. PrintNet OMProduct for enterprise tions have at high volumes, says Exstream introduced Version 2.0 of xPression in www.gmc.net output management Vice President of Marketing Kelley Sloane. November with a brand-new, standards-based PrintNet 3 Product for variable document generation, optimized for direct mailing applications Group 1 Software Customer Communication CCM simplifies processes-from gathering and manipulating data to document creation, distribution, vaulting, Exstream’s enterprise personalization composition engine, Unicode capability, and www.g1.com Management Software (CCM) and replenishment-while keeping information accessible and secure. It produces, delivers, and manages on-demand mes- gives customers one solution on a single support for two new platforms: Linux and sages and documents through e-channels or more traditional high-volume print and mail applications. platform to create all their communica- JBOSS. Meadows Publishing Solutions IXT Solutions IXT Transform Transform converts existing patient billing files into fully personalized patient-friendly communications without www.ixt.com custom programming or costly time delays. IXT Archive Archive offers secure and immediate access to original cus- tions. She adds that their technology helps expanded support to include Mac OSX, tomer data, all transformed data, and resulting documents produced by IXT. Is the foundation for the IXT View portal cut the time companies spend creating or Windows XP and more VDP languages. Creo to view processed documents online.IXT Deliver Deliver physically prints, folds, inserts, pre-sorts, and delivers each piece of mail to the U.S. Postal Service on a next-day basis. modifying applications by 70 to 80 per- made its solution available in two configura- Meadows Publishing DesignMerge/Graphic Arts CopyFit Automatically shrinks or expands text to fit text box; ensures no lost copy from text overflow. GroupPicture: cent. “The product is so robust, users don’t tions previously available as one package: Solutions embeds a variable QuarkXPress doc within an QuarkXPress doc. Sequencing sorts data in the merge to achieve www.meadowsps.com maximum paper utilization and manages order of final printed pieces for bulk mailing rates. Multiple VDP Languages: have to build on extra programs for differ- Darwin Desktop for routine variable applica- Use the most efficient language for application. Supports Optimized PostScript (standard) or opt for VIPP, PPML, VPS, ent functionality. It’s all there. Benefits are tions and Darwin Pro for more complex work. JLYT, or Barco/Xeikon Book Ticket. Cross Platform: Mac OS9 & OSX, Windows 98/NT/2000/XP reduced costs and shorter time to market. Pageflex Storefront was announced at Drupa Objectif Lune PlanetPress Suite Suite enables design and printing of transactional and variable content documents in high volumes or on-demand. www.objectiflune.com Electronic delivery options-via email or fax-and integrated archiving, all using current or legacy processing and print Our enterprise personalization solutions in May, 2004. Later at GRAPH EXPO, 30 hardware infrastructure.PlanetPress Watch Automated workflow tool captures and routes documents. allow companies to get to market up to 60 Pageflex released new features for outputting 31 PlanetPress Image Automatically generates PDF, TIFF, or JPG files for email and archive. percent faster, reduce development and personalized HTML emails and personalized PlanetPress Search Locates and retrieve indexed PDF files created with PlanetPress Image. PlanetPress Fax Transmits documents through a fax board or server. delivery costs by as much as 80 percent, Web microsites, in conjunction with personal- PrintShop Mail Easy-to-use, entry-level tool for variable document design and printing. and improve customer retention through ized print communications. It has also been a Pageflex, Pageflex Persona Allows sophisticated variable data design in a desktop application. more relevant and timely information.” busy time for Group 1 Software. The DOC1 a division of Bitstream, Inc. Pageflex Storefront Complete solution for an e-commerce Web-site drives customized and personalized document ordering. The drive to standards-based workflow is Series 5 was launched in April, 2004, winning www.pageflex.com Pageflex .EDIT Enterprise solution provides unique online editing capability for document customization. Pageflex Mpower Enterprise solution offers database-driven and Web-form driven sophisticated personalization. a major factor not just for VDP, but the entire an Xplor Brazil Excellence Award in the PrintSoft Americas, Inc. PReS Printer Resource Supports simple and complex document layouts that include text, pictures, data driven graphics, barcodes, and digital document universe. “To make the process. In July, 2004, Group 1 Software was www.printsoftamericas.com Software variable data. Has user interfaces for Microsoft Word environments and template Wizards for designing layouts. transition to standards-based technology, acquired by Pitney Bowes, and the Group 1 PReS Designer WYSIWYG design tool. Saepio Technologies, Inc. Agile Media Technology Agile Media Technology draws on central application servers (from a customer or Saepio), channel databases, organizations want to easily convert existing CCM solution was launched at Xplor in 2004. www.saepio.com and image repositories to enable local market assembly, customization, and retrieval of advertising, sales, and applications to the new open environment Objectif Lune released major upgrades marketing materials. without the extended pain of trying to evolve to the PlanetPress Suite in 2004. The Xerox Corporation FreeFlow Variable The software turns variable data and images into high-value variable documents at at production speeds. It www.xerox.com Information Suite It also enhances VDP performance through the use of cached object elements, dynamic text flow, data-driven their technology. They don’t have time for complete product line was localized in Document Sciences headquarters in graphics, data formatting, conditional processing, and workflow improvements. The suite uses open system stan- that,” says Scott Samuels, Director of five different languages and modified to Carlsbad, CA. dards to achieve optimal throughput and efficiency across a wide variety of PostScript printers including mono- chrome, highlight color, and full color systems. Corporate Marketing for Document Sciences handle double-byte char- easy-vi Customized Fulfillment Xerox easy-vi featuring iWay is an entry level solution, enabling Web-based end-to-end information and Corporation. “Document Sciences has auto- acter sets and fonts, Solution featuring iWay workflow management, facilitating productive variable information and short run documents for both the by Press-sense printer and document requestor. The solution includes installation, server, customer training, software, samples, mated conversion solutions that enable cus- making it a more global and support for an in-house implementation, and addresses both printers and print buyers. On the customer side, tomers to make this transition rapidly and solution. Objectif Lune easy-vi is a template-based ordering system that supplies various innovative means for placing orders as well as for approving and tracking jobs and monitoring delivery schedules. On the printer-side, easy-vi is a full production efficiently. Document Sciences delivers real- got more global in other management tool, as well as an information management system. time, interactive content processing to help ways, adding offices in XMPie uDirect Developed specifically for the Adobe InDesign CS, uDirect enables creative professionals to produce personalized, organizations realize productivity benefits, Germany and Australia, www.xmpie.com visually-rich VDP documents that meet sophisticated design and one-to-one marketing requirements, right within the native InDesign environment. It is the first stand-alone desktop solution for Mac or PC that is completely inte- cut costs, and increase competitiveness. and acquiring Nether- grated into InDesign as a plug-in and is fully compatible with XMPie’s award winning PersonalEffect system. It Content processing within our awarding-win- lands-based Atlas Soft- provides the individual designer with a self-contained software package with high-end variable design capabili- ties at an attractive price. Allows unlimited number of variable elements and dynamic design objects, automatic ning xPression architecture automates the ware and its PrintShop definition of business rules, live linking to a local data source, real-time previews, and Multiple output formats. design, creation and multi-channel delivery Mail offering.

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Product Debuts Expand VDP Choices an entry level solution, enabling Web-based start up pricing is $5,000. The price goes up In October, 2004, Exstream Software end-to-end information and workflow man- with the speed of the printer and is driven debuted Dialogue Anywhere, to be available agement, facilitating productive variable down with by volume. One design tool is in January, 2005. Exstream partnered with information and short run documents for included for each represented speed cate- Macromedia to build these Internet applica- both the printer and document requestor. The gory and volume discounts start with a tions around a rich user interface. “This fully solution includes installation, server, cus- quantity of two. The other modules of the integrated browser-based design tool allows tomer training, software, samples, and sup- PlanetPress Suite (PlanetPress Watch, anywhere, anytime marketing, such as creat- port for an in-house implementation, and PlanetPress Image, PlanetPress Fax, Planet- ing a variety of marketing messages or cam- addresses both printers and print buyers. On Press Search, and PlanetPress iWatch) are paigns to be included at run time,” explains the customer side, easy-vi is a template-based licensed per server or host. Sloane. “Marketing or operations people in ordering system that supplies various innova- GMC Software offers licensing plans for remote sites can control content and target it tive means for placing orders as well as for its PrintNet products. New users can get on demand, such as going on the Internet to approving and tracking jobs and monitoring started for under $30,000, but a $75,000 create rules for last-minute changes to a delivery schedules. On the printer-side, easy- investment is typical. With PrintSoft’s modu- 401(k) statement.” vi is a full production management tool, as lar PReS software, a typical installation is PrintSoft Americas offered a sneak pre- well as an information management system. less than $50,000. Pageflex Storefront with Pageflex lets documents flex to handle variable content in a single layout. “Easy-to-use and easy-to- view of their new Hybrid Mail System at Xplor, Benefits include increased service to cus- all options, including e-commerce, form- deploy are the hot buttons, along with integration with existing infrastructures, everything from order management to CRM and DAM systems. With Pageflex, multiple data sources can be used in a single with shipments in the first quarter 2005. tomers, with the ability to order and price filling customization, free edit customiza- variable data project, for instance, data coming from a Web form, input from a CRM system, and Hybrid Mail provides automation for all documents 24/7. There’s a decrease in time to tion, and data-merge personalization, costs content from a DAM system. For Web-to-print applications, one key problem solved by the use of Pageflex technology is providing accurate online previews and online editable documents with an printed communications. “In the corporate prepare documents for pre-flight, and $65,000. Mpower and .EDIT enterprise solu- exact match to the printed output.”—Alice Fackre, Pageflex Product Marketing Manager enterprise, the PrintSoft Hybrid Mail system because the process is automated, it isn’t as tions are priced based on configuration, with 32 consolidates personalized communications prone to repeated call backs for more infor- typical costs ranging from $30,000 to 33 where they can be efficiently and cost-effec- mation or corrected files. $100,000. Moving deeper into the high end, tively processed,” says White. “Instead of Users range from commercial printers pricing for Document Sciences xPression manually printing, addressing, stamping, and utilizing easy-vi to maintain a productive varies depending on the customer’s enter- posting a desktop communication, Hybrid customer relationship with variable infor- prise IT environment, applications and Mail automatically routes communications mation (VI) and short run print jobs, to desired configurations. An entry level ver- from the desktop to a more efficient produc- print providers who provide short run and sion starts at approximately $150,000. tion environment geared to mass one-to-one VI jobs as their main focus. Exstream Software uses a value-based communication processing.” The solution has pricing model for small companies to large been in use at the Australia Post for a year. Up and Running—At What Cost? enterprises, depending on output require- Xerox Corporation’s FreeFlow Variable Costs to deploy VDP solutions cover a lot of ments, document application needs, number Information Suite of software turns variable territory, with quite a range from low end to of users, and enterprise integration. At the data and images into high-value variable docu- high. In almost all cases, there is no set pric- low end, a one-time perpetual license can be ments at production speeds. It also enhances ing. Each quote depends on the customer’s purchased for around $40,000 to $60,000, variable data printing performance through situation. For less than $4,000, one can or $1600/month as a subscription. Solutions the use of cached object elements, dynamic have DesignMerge with Optimized Post- at the highest end for the most complex text flow, data-driven graphics, data format- Script, for Mac or Windows. For around organization and requirements could range ting, conditional processing, and workflow $2,000, one can acquire Persona, a desktop over one million dollars. The average for a improvements. The suite uses open system application from PrintSoft. large enterprise is $200,000 to $300,000. standards to achieve optimal throughput and Objectif Lune’s PlanetPress is licensed The ability to implement and use VDP efficiency across a wide variety of PostScript on a per printer basis. The price is a function solutions may be getting easier, but printers—including monochrome, highlight of the printer’s speed as part of a defined given the breadth of today’s solutions and color, and full color systems. category and the number of printers within their many variables and differentiators, the The company’s easy-vi Customized Fulfill- that category. Depending on the number of decision of which one to use may just be ment Solution featuring iWay by Press-sense is printers and modules required, average getting harder. DPS

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