Launched earlier this year, the JDF User Group is quickly establishing itself as the premiere event for an exchange of ideas and solutions for JDF workflow. The JDF User Group focuses on the development and practical implementation of JDF-enabled systems and cross-vendor implementations. The group welcomes a wide range of users of JDF-enabled systems as well as the suppliers of those systems. The steering committee of the JDF User Group is made up entirely of printers who have either implemented systems or are in the process of doing so.

?Implementing process automation, even with JDF, requires active participation by the printer?s staff,? said James Harvey, Executive Director of CIP4. ?Different vendors have different philosophies for how they are implementing process automation, and printers may find themselves acting as project managers to work out issues that may arise when multiple systems are integrated. The JDF User Group fills a huge void in the industry by providing a forum where users can learn from each other, exchange ideas, and present issues to the vendor community. In this format, they are sure to get answers. I can say that CIP4 itself looks forward to hearing the issues that printers discover, and I expect the JDF User Group?s input will have a direct impact on CIP4?s ongoing development work and will ultimately benefit the entire printing industry.?

The inaugural meeting held in March in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, consisted of two days of lively discussions as well as demonstrations of JDF implementations at the PIA/GATF headquarters, including integrations between prepress, multiple MIS, conventional and digital presses, and postpress. Speakers from companies such as Cox Target Media, Inc., Crowson Stone, and Democrat Printing covered the full range of JDF implementations, were well received, and sparked lively discussions on the solutions for implementation challenges. As one participant commented ?I had hit a brick wall. The information I have gained here allows me to move the integration forward, I have the proof it is being done!?

Meeting Date

Tuesday, November 18?Wednesday, November 19

Schedule

Tuesday 18th November

2:00 p.m.?5:30 p.m.

Meeting held at Cox Target Media Inc.

During the first day, attendees will spend time at the new Cox Target Media Inc. facility, manufacturer of Valpak coupons. The session will include a tour of the facility, and technical discussion. The tour will provide a hands-on look at JDF implementations within the facility and discuss the challenges to creating successful implementations. Technology discussion will include the challenges faced by the implementation and presentations by management and staff concerned with the implementation.

Wednesday 19th November

8:30 a.m.?4:00 p.m., Breakfast and Lunch will be provided

Meeting held at Radisson Hotel and Conference Center

On day two of the meeting, attendees will discuss two main themes: systems integration to capture accurate data which will provide you with optimal / realistic job cost estimating, correct / fast billing information and identify the changes that need to be made to run a more productively and have a tighter business operation. This will then be complimented by the opportunities that arise from the postpress area, including folding and stitching. The sessions will cover both technical and management considerations. In addition, there will be case studies from a number of companies and panel discussions on their JDF implementations relating to these themes.

Hotel Information

Radisson Hotel and Conference Center

12600 Roosevelt Blvd.

St. Petersburg, FL 33716

www.Radisson.com/stpetersburgfl  

Phone: 727-572-7800

Fax: 727-561-0052

Hotel Reservations: 727-572-7800

Hotel Reservations

FREE LOCAL AND AIRPORT SHUTTLE

PIA/GATF has arranged for a block of rooms at a discounted rate of US $139 plus tax. Please associate yourself with the room block of ?PIA/GATF? to receive this discounted rate. Make your reservations by November 7, 2008 to ensure this discounted rate. After this date, the hotel will accept reservations on a space- and rate-available basis. Please call the hotel directly to make your reservations at 727-572-7800. If you have any problems making a reservation with the hotel, please contact jdfusergroup@piagatf.org.

Attire

Meeting attire is casual. We want you to feel comfortable during the meeting. Plan to bring a sweater or lightweight jacket, as meeting rooms tend to vary in temperature.

Cancellation Policy

If you find that you cannot attend the JDF User Group meeting after registering, feel free to send a substitute attendee. Or, if one is not available, you may cancel by fax, mail, or email by Friday, October 31, 2008. You will incur a service charge of $150 per registration. No refunds will be granted after October 31, 2008.

Additional Questions