What does the software do? The Insite Prepress Portal streamlines job submission, job-status tracking, online collaboration, and remote proofing and approval, automatically notifying both client and printer when a proof has been passed, for example. This information is then sent automatically to the Prinergy system which manages and drives both litho and digital devices cutting out production steps. Although not mandatory, Kodak recommends that these two systems are isolated by a firewall, which allows Insite to talk to Prinergy, but ensures against anyone using the business’s public website to interfere with the main production network.

What is the ‘virtual’ edition? Kodak has teamed up with virtualisation specialist VMware to create an edition that allows both software environments to be run simultaneously on the same server hardware, while ensuring the Prinergy server is protected. So a single server can host multiple versions of both Prinergy Connect Workflow and an Insite Prepress Portal System. Matthieu Bossan, Kodak EAMER Unified Workflow Solutions marketing director, explains: "The advantage is that we can separate the hardware from the software. If a file is not ‘virtualised’, your software has to be connected to a certain piece of hardware and, although you might have another piece of hardware with the same software loaded on it, this would have to be synchronised to have the same effect."

What benefits does this bring? By running multiple virtual servers on one platform, a printer can reduce the physical amount of hardware required, saving space and reducing power consumption. Less IT maintenance is also required where there are fewer servers to install, support and upgrade. Alternatively, a printer might choose to retain the same number of servers in order to have an emergency back-up system. "Previously, if the website was down then the whole production system was down because you didn’t have a way to submit files to the printer anymore," says Bossan. "If it takes you a couple of hours or more you can imagine the impact it has on the whole production chain."

When was it launched and what market is it aimed at? The VMware edition was launched in June and has been particularly popular with mid- to large-sized businesses dealing with a high-volume publication markets. But Bossan predicts that smaller companies will also start to appreciate what it can offer. "Over time this technology will appeal to more customers – avoiding downtime is crucial for any company; whether you are big or small, you’re always trying to better serve your clients."

How long does it take to install? Customers can buy hardware with the VMware edition already installed, but a key advantage to this system, according to Kodak, is that it can be installed within a wide range of IT environments, as long as the hardware has sufficient capabilities. Installation takes approximately one day.

What training is available? While training is available on request, Bossan says, typically, very little is required. "Once it’s up and running within the VM environment you don’t really touch or interact with the software," says Bossan. "If you’re an IT administrator there’s a high chance you’re familiar with the software anyway. This is something IT professionals have been implementing for a long time for other parts of the business."

How much does it cost? Costs obviously differ depending on the installation, but it is approximately £20,000 for a virtualised Prinergy Workflow, £10,000 for a virtualised Insite Workflow (two Kodak hardware servers would cost around £7,500). Where a customer is using the system to run a back-up server on separate hardware, only the active licence would be charged.

Does performance suffer from working on several servers via one platform? Kodak says the system doesn’t reduce performance as virtualisation allows a user to utilise more of their server’s memory. However, as with all software, performance is dependant on hardware specs. Kodak recommends Dell PE T610 and PE T310 servers for running virtualised Prinergy and Connect, but other similarly specced platforms will function just as well.

How many virtualised systems have been installed and how many are expected? Kodak says 10% of its customers are opting for virtualised systems, but that it expects this to rise to 30% by the end of the year. "A year from now this will be, not necessarily the standard, but certainly something that all customers will want," says Bossan.

SPECIFICATIONS
Compatible platforms
Dell PE T610 and Dell PE T310 or PC with similar specifications
Price
Around £20,000 for virtualised Prinergy Workflow, £10,000 for virtualised Insite Workflow (two Kodak hardware servers would cost circa £7,500). These are average costs; customer configuration can be cheaper or more expensive depending on requirements.
Contact
Kodak 0870 8500204 www.graphics.kodak.com

USER'S VERDICT
"We wanted to be able to access the system from wherever we were, and not have to walk back to the server room. The virtual system has made administration and maintenance far simpler" (4/5)  
Fritz Schmid, head of the Prepress department, W Gassman

ALTERNATIVES
Heidelberg Prinect Remote Access and Pre Press Manager
The Prinect Remote Access software performs a very similar function to Kodak’s Insite PrePress Portal, and the Pre Press Manager to Kodak’s Prinergy Connect software. Heidelberg has currently only installed the systems virtually for one customer who set up their own virtual server.
Price
Pre Press Manager: from £8,650
Remote Access from £8,000
Contact 0844 892 2010 www.uk.heidelberg.com

Agfa Apogee Portal and Pre-Press Workflow
Agfa has installed its Apogee Pre-Press Workflow (Prinergy competitor) and Apogee Portal (Insite competitor) virtually for several businesses, but won’t recommend a virtual system in most cases as it claims running several servers on one platform results in performance degradation.
Price depending on spec £20,000 to £250,000
Contact 020 8231 4983 www.agfa.com