　　Canon said that the Imagepress CR Server A7000 also enables printers to integrate the company's Imagepress digital presses into a variety of workflow systems.
　　The server's Fusion imaging hardware and software produce VDP output, while at the same time maximising press efficiency, flexibility and job processing, claims Canon.
　　Shane Burchett, the Imagepress product professional at Canon UK, said: 'We're introducing the Imagepress CR Server A7000 to give customers a wider choice and allow them access to the revenue opportunities offered by the Imagepress engines while continuing to use the workflow to which they're already committed.
　　'The server incorporates an extensive set of post-RIP editing features, which save processing time by allowing the operator to make changes to a RIP'd job without the need to re-impose and re-RIP the job,' he added.
　　'Providing the Creo Color server technology enables the Imagepress digital press to better serve the demands of users,' said Hezy Rotman, general manager of Kodak's Print On-Demand Solutions.
　　'Traditional commercial printers are looking for digital print systems that can integrate with their existing workflow systems.
　　'The Imagepress CR Server A7000 enables this type of efficient hybrid environment - helping commercial printers add digital workflow management systems without jeopardising their productivity and high quality,' he added.
　　A set of imposition tools, including an Imposition Template Builder and on-the-fly VDP imposition, provides additional productivity gains.
　　The server also incorporates a VDP architecture and data flow, which includes a 'gallop' mode that enables the operator to begin printing a defined number of pages while the job is still processing, together with virtual printers and hot folders for increased automation of print jobs.
　　Productivity can be further boosted with the addition of the optional Process Power Pack, which includes Parallel RIP and photograph touch-up software features.
　　Parallel RIP reduces the total production time by running two jobs in parallel, and photograph touch-up offers comparative before and after views, said to be suitable for the growing photobook market.
　　The Imagepress CR Server's graphic user interface offers views of queues, the storage area and the paper decks, including the paper stock used, as well as by the VDP file creator.
　　With this tool, an operator without any specific knowledge of VDP can automatically create a VDP job from a set design templates - bundled applications for corporate orders, direct mail and promotions that will help customers to develop a knowledge of VDP.