Agfa launches v2.3 of Apogee and Asanti StoreFront

Agfa Graphics has added support for electronic document distribution to the latest version of its StoreFront open web-to-print system.

Apogee and Asanti StoreFront v2.3 now gives print service providers the opportunity to more easily extend their service offerings and target new markets, according to Agfa.

It is aimed at the commercial printing and display or signage markets and with StoreFront printers can sell electronic products like images, PDFs, ePub files or website banners.

Portal product manager Laurens Leurs said the system would cost users a start-up fee and then a monthly charge of around €300 (£218).

“The big driver for the new version was demand from prospects and customers to do different types of products. It's targeted at commercial printing, the wide-format market.”

Leurs added: “One of the main advantages is the technology offers a direct link from the e-commerce platform to the production workflow.”

Agfa Graphics' global head of software Andy Grant said: “As a cloud-based product, StoreFront offers a faster and more affordable way to enter the web-to-print market.

“Tight integration with our production workflow systems saves time and avoids double-data entry. Printers increasingly want to offer additional services to their customers.

“While print is an essential part of today’s communication mix, StoreFront is a tool for print service providers to add document creation and distribution into their product offering.”

StoreFront v2.3 also makes payment by bank transfer or cheque convenient, he said. As an alternative to online payment with a credit card, printers could offer payment by wire transfer.