Metitec White Paper

WHITE PAPER Advantages of metiTec workflow

me-ti GmbH Helmholtzstr. 2–9 10587 Berlin

T +49 30 22194394 F +49 30 221943969 [email protected] www.me-ti.de Automation metiTec is a software system that simplifies the production of any publication Publishing at the push by completely automating the typesetting process. Content can be created for of a button publication in a specific medium or across various media and for multiple devices without any post-processing. Once the client has supplied structured content, metiTec’s rule-based approach allows any data to be automatically processed for almost any publication and any output channel. metiTec offers time and cost savings of up to 80% compared to other Data Publishing Systems on the market as no typesetters, typesetting services or DTP-software are required.

Automation with metiTec

As a professional typesetting system, metiTec is easy-to-use and is ideal for large Perfect for large volumes volumes of data. metiTec uses intelligent layout rules that are pre-defined by a of data media designer to ensure the uniform layout of a publication type; the application is controlled by measurement results. This ensures that post-processing is fully automated for all publications, even those with highly complex layouts. metiTec offers maximum flexibility and spontaneity enabling users to create new publications at any time if media-neutrally stored data is available. metiTec is not suited to every purpose; it is less efficient for processing small Not for one-off amounts of data, inexpensive publications, heterogeneous layouts or data which publications is rarely updated. metiTec processes are set to guarantee the highest possible typographic and Layouts of the highest design standards so absolutely no manual intervention or post-processing is quality necessary to improve the quality of publications. metiTec dynamically calculates the required custom layout by understanding Cross-media and Error-free the scope of data variability and structure; this produces flawlessly constructed Publishing pages. Along with intelligent design rules, the calculated typesetting and typographic values ensure that text and image files are published automatically across media and with no media disruption. metiTec typesets reusable information modules using rule-based positioning and the adaptation of simple or complex objects. The appearance of individual objects depends on font, font size, spacing, line distance/lead, line length, space between words, glyph scale, box width, image sizes, graphics, tables and diagrams. meti- Tec calculates the values of the above-mentioned parameters using typesetting operators in the typesetting engine and on the basis of defaults specified by the layout designer. In the case of texts, this leads to an increase or decrease in the number of lines per text unit (without any change to the content) and in the

WHITE PAPER Advantages of metiTec workflow ©me-ti GmbH Helmholtzstr. 2–9, 10587 Berlin 2 case of graphics, this leads to an enlargement or reduction in size. As a result, even the smallest micro typographic measure has a significant effect and only minor adjustments are required to position text, images, tables, graphics, diagrams etc. in the exact place required. Reusable information modules are continually measured, adjusted and perfected according to the specifications of the media designer to ensure an optimal arrangement.

The performance of metiTec can be compared to that of a media designer or Rule-based typesetting translator, except that it is much faster and error-free. with fine adjustments

Pages are constructed automatically to ensure that all design requirements No manual page revision are strictly observed without any need for corrections or amendments, even when data comes from multiple sources such as Word, XML files or databases. No manual page revision is required.

Automated media production is monitored in the minutest detail and the end Adjustments using result is assessed. Rules define not only the arrangement and processing of measurements data but also any dynamic adjustments required to counteract undesired design outcomes.

As alignment rules can cause extensive changes and corrections that can improve the visual appearance of the final result, any post-processing can now be performed entirely automatically and layout related text amendments can also be disregarded. With automated analysis and adjustment options which exceed human editing skills, metiTec is a unique technological breakthrough. metiTec provides data with a made-to-measure outfit while other systems Technological breakthrough require subsequent corrections to customise a publication.

The layout rules for typesetting certain areas can draw on precise measurements Optimised typesetting from previously typeset content or on processes such as automatic calculations (e.g. of optimal values for spacing, alignment, shifting) and on the ability to un- dergo any arrangement, orientation and other change manoeuvre. Whilst design- ing rules, the designer simply addresses these peculiarities and the dynamics of new and unknown data by taking manual corrections into consideration. metiTec ensures that content and form, i.e., content database or CMS, are strictly Strict separation of separated from layout definitions and layout rules. To avoid the otherwise wide- content and layout spread issue of data integrity, the required data corrections and any necessary channel-related data differentiations are always performed at a central-database level. On the other hand, layout corrections for a specific medium are made to the rules that are applied. For the first time, these two components are strictly segregated enabling fully automated cross-media publishing with no media disruption or data inconsistencies and absolutely no need for post-processing. This breakthrough even applies to print sector publications.

WHITE PAPER Advantages of metiTec workflow ©me-ti GmbH Helmholtzstr. 2–9, 10587 Berlin 3 metiTec measures the space requirements for all page elements in the layout metiTec operators control and makes the necessary adjustments with the help of custom-built operators. the automation process Typesetting operators fit a text into the designated space and optimise table layouts depending on their content by means of typographic and micro-typographic calculations and operations. Layout operators control the modification, synchronisation and variation of page elements. They directly calculate shifts, displacements, rearrangement, size adjustments and other modifications for the page areas and objects created in the layout. metiTec supports cross-page planning for the design and positioning of text and Perfect breaks, thanks to image areas based on measurement results. The typesetting system analyses cross-page planning, for an the consequences of existing breaks for future breaks. Performed changes are optimised fit manipulated if necessary to ensure an optimal overall result and guarantee flaw- less pagination. metiTec is particularly advantageous for publications which are frequently up- Generate PDF catalogues dated, such as online PDF-previews of catalogues and other database generated on the fly content. The speed of the typesetting machine means that individual PDFs can be generated as and when required, even by end-users via the Internet.

Compared to DTP systems such as InDesign or QuarkXPress, metiTec is especially effective for producing extensive publications with highly complex layouts. As metiTec involves no variable quantity-related costs, increasing the volume and frequency of use reduces the typesetting costs per page. In other words, the Cost-effective more publications or publication types of a similar or identical layout a company produces, the more cost-effectivemetiTec becomes.

WORD XML XLS

TEXT DATA FROM ARBITRARY SOURCES

Typesetting Engine

READY TO PRINT PAGES GIF JPG PNG IMAGES AND ASSET DATA FROM ARBITRARY SOURCES

Data flow diagram

WHITE PAPER Advantages of metiTec workflow ©me-ti GmbH Helmholtzstr. 2–9, 10587 Berlin 4 In comparison to other products on the market, metiTec achieves superior micro- metiTec for publications graphic quality when producing publications with highly complex layouts, such as scientific, technical or medical journals, legal and technical documents, serial publications, catalogues and directories.

Standardisation metiTec software accepts data from any source; clients are therefore not depen- Multiple sources dent on a specific software.

Since metiTec does not manipulate the data provided for typesetting, clients can Data integrity change their IT service provider at any time without having to migrate their data; the service will continue to be available without any impairment.

Since metiTec is a source-independant software, a client can change their data Source-independent source at any time (e.g. database) and still be able to process the data without any migration.

Since metiTec supports multiple output channels, such as PDF, HTML 5, EPUB, Multiple output channels XML etc., clients are not dependent either on me-ti GmbH or on any other pro- prietary software.

WORD XML XLS

TIFF JPG EPS DATA FROM ARBITRARY BUT SPECIFIC SOURCE Typesetting Engine

Configuration and/ READY TO PRINT or programming PDF WIHT CROP MARKS LAYOUT SPECIFICATION AND LAYOUT RULES Technical workflow

WHITE PAPER Advantages of metiTec workflow ©me-ti GmbH Helmholtzstr. 2–9, 10587 Berlin 5 Language Support metiTec can process Unicode data and has hyphenation rules for all European Supports multiple Languages, so content can be published in any European language. languages

Processing Speed metiTec has an excellent processing capacity, with approximately 1000 pages Quick and efficient per minute, depending on the layout and the computer used. The simpler the layout, the higher the number of pages which can be generated per minute. For example, it takes just 20 minutes to complete a highly complex 500-pages stamp catalogue with more than 9000 images of stamps and a pagination- result-dependant algorithmic order. metiTec requires data from a source without any layout specifications. By sep- Cost and time effective arating content and layout, metiTec publications can be automatically typeset in the relevant format, be it print PDF, online PDF, device-specific PDF, HTML5, EPUB, mobile application or similar, with no post-processing and at the push of a button. Content changes are automatically implemented in all output formats; this increases productivity and leads to considerable savings in cost and time.

WORD XML XLS JSON

TIFF JPG EPS PDF HTML5 CONTENT (ARBITRARY DATA FROM A SINGLE SOURCE) Typesetting Engine EPUB APP

SYNCHRONOUS Configuration and/ OUTPUT IN VARIOUS or programming FORMATS

LAYOUT SPECIFICATION AND LAYOUT RULES FOR PRINT, WEB AND E-BOOK ARCHIVING, FOR EXAMPLE AS XML System diagram

WHITE PAPER Advantages of metiTec workflow ©me-ti GmbH Helmholtzstr. 2–9, 10587 Berlin 6 A Comparison of metiTec and Conventional DTP Systems

Conventional database publishing systems, such the initial entry of data into the pages or a possible as InDesign, QuarkXpress or FrameMaker function output as a PDF document with appropriate tools, for in two ways - either they automatically upload the example, XSLT or XSL-FO. In XML-based workflows in required text and image files for the page layout particular, this is sometimes accompanied by a cor- from databases, Word files and other text processing responding automated data structure transformation programmes to generate template-based pages or and automatic data enhancement with layout control they upload structured and formatted data directly information. in InDesign or QuarkXPress. The page design is then reworked manually, particularly if the layout is highly In reality, these systems only offer automation in complex, for example, if it involves rule-based image specific typesetting processes and are ultimately positioning, text flow around multi-columns graphics, incapable of automating fine typesetting or finishing. changeover from two columns to multiple-columns In contrast, metiTec provides fully automated typesetting on the same page or coherences across typesetting. pages etc. As the exact nature and precise space requirements of the individual source object cannot Since its conception, metiTec’s focus has been on be foreseen, this system frequently needs reworking, completely automated typesetting and superior data even if the layout requirements are relatively simple, handling; DTP plays a secondary role. Other systems for example, if multi-page coherences cannot be such as Quark or InDesign focus primarily on DTP. shown in the layout with templates. As metiTec has expanded its typesetting automation, the number of competitors have grown. They include So when competitors claim to provide ‘full automa- APP, FrameMaker, Datalogics and XPP. tion’, they mean that the system can perform either metiTec – the right choice for your company

Every product has its own merits and limitations specifications. These differing requirements might and these are generally defined by the requirements present a challenge to some systems, but metiTec’s of a user. These requirements commonly depend on highly customisable system has turned this into a factors such as how a customer wishes to use the strength and an advantage. Additionally, because product and which industry they work in. Conse- metiTec is configurable, it delivers quick solutions to quently, not all automated typesetting solutions requirements without any compromise to the quality. and systems are identical for any or all requirement

Why do our clients choose metiTec over other products?

Clients who choose metiTec are generally looking and workflows. By choosingmetiTec , our clients rec- for specific capabilities that aim at achieving 100% ognise and acknowledge its efficiency and capability automation, even for the most challenging layouts of a diverse range of applications.

WHITE PAPER Advantages of metiTec workflow ©me-ti GmbH Helmholtzstr. 2–9, 10587 Berlin 7 The following figures give an overview of the general workflow followed by a conventional DTP system and the optimized workflow of themetiTec software.

Benefits of metiTec

LAYOUT at a glance: RULES Time and cost-effective No post-processing Increases efficiency Typesetting Engine and productivity of your publications Automation of all manual processes Cross-medial production without media disruption for all design types DTP DOCUMENT Just-in-time production Workflow for metiTec typesetting Highest quality typo- graphy and layout Open standards with easy integration and no prior technical knowl- edge requirements

Workflow of a conventional DTP-system

License Costs

The price of a metiTec licence depends on the required performance of the typesetting machine. However, prices are significantly lower than other software such as 3B2/APP.