Esko to ApogeeX

[mjoep123]

We are thinking of moving to ApogeeX. Anyone here on the Esko forum used ApogeeX?? I have seen lots of demos on ApogeeX and it is pretty slick. But I am trying to figure out how to work without Backstage Edit, we do so much work with Editor, I always felt that was a huge advantage that Esko had. Plus we have over 8 years sunk into Esko.

But on the flip side, we are a medium size commercial printer and Esko will always be a packaging software first and foremost.


Any thoughts?

[Scope]

Hi,

We are also a Commercial Esko workflow user. I have been told by Software Marketing and Software Engineers that Esko will not be discontinuing their support and improvements to the commercial product. Yes they are focused in on packaging however, this is not a negative in my mind. Having worked in a commercial shop for many years, no files I have seen in my 30 years in the commercial compare in complexity to some of the files we were handed in the packaging business. These files were for large folding cartons, 50"x50", full of vector and bitmap elements with sometimes up to 4/c plus 4 pms's. The rip and trapper handled these files flawlessly. I believe having to deal with files like this along with all the filters being applied to Illustrator files that this will drive more powerful and sophisticated rip and trapping.

BTW, I was told, and it should be made public soon, that ESKO has just signed a major contract with one of the largest commercial and publication printers in Europe and US to switch to the Esko workflow. I believe they are or will be switching from Prynergy.

Also, check out this forum.. jobs , no it is not his forum, notice that the ne you are on is prepressforum(s). The user you want to talk to is joepostscript. They have just installed the Scope workflow after doing an exhaustive comparison against the leading names. Esko won hands down, and this user is a very sophiticated individual. I am sure he will let you know how quickly Apogee fell out of the running.

Don't jump out and into anything else before you do your research.

[Scope]

Question, how do you use Edit within your workflow?

[freddy.pieters@esko.com]

Originally Posted by mjoep123

We are thinking of moving to ApogeeX. Anyone here on the Esko forum used ApogeeX?? I have seen lots of demos on ApogeeX and it is pretty slick. But I am trying to figure out how to work without Backstage Edit, we do so much work with Editor, I always felt that was a huge advantage that Esko had. Plus we have over 8 years sunk into Esko.

But on the flip side, we are a medium size commercial printer and Esko will always be a packaging software first and foremost.


Any thoughts?

Dear mjoep123,

WARNING: I am from Esko

Your post gives the impression that you are considering to change over to ApogeeX, because Esko has its main focus on packaging. That would be strange. Also 8 years ago when you chose Esko (still Barco Graphics in those days) we had our focus on packaging.

The Esko Software Suite uses the same underlying technology regardless of the application for which it is used. Almost all of the CP-related features of the software are used by our packaging customers as well and vice versa. Or did you think that HighLine screening is not interesting for packaging customers? Or trapping, file editing, ink usage reduction, color management, automation, JDF integration, web-based approval, and so many other things? Sure, we have products and features that are only useful for packaging, our Deskpack plugins for Illustrator for example. Even then the distinction is often blurry. Take our Kongsberg cutting tables: we have CP customers happily and effectively using them to cut their varnish blankets.

We only have one product which is very specific for commercial printing: FastImpose (which I happen to be the product manager of). This product is alive and kicking. We invented JDF-based automated imposition (JDF Stripping) and when you are not ready for JDF, FastImpose is still the best-performing imposition solution out there by any standard. Do not forget either that we have quite an installed base in commercial printing and that many of our customers work in a mixed market, using both FastImpose and Plato next to each other in a nicely integrated environment.

If I misinterpreted your concerns then at least this has been straightened out.

Best regards,

Freddy Pieters
Esko Belgium

[mjoep123]

Thanks for your responses. There are several reasons why we are looking at Apogee. We are running Esko with 2 licenses of Edit and Fast Impose, all outputting to Agfa proofers and Agfa Platesetters.

Of course being a commercial printer we get every kind of crap. PDFs, native files. So we use Edit to do most our fixing of files. (Wrong size, no bleed, separation wrong) We don’t use Pitstop. We also create files and trap in Edit. Esko gives us the flexibility to tear apart and fix bad files and provides automation and speed for the “good files” I think as a core workflow, Esko blows everyone away.

We originally started looking at a “web portal” for Esko. Something like VIO or Screen Riteportal. Webcenter is not the answer, catering to the packaging group. So now we are looking at Agfa Delano tied into ApogeeX with our proofer and platers.
And then you throw in JDF, which we are also looking into, so now you have complete system all talking the same language. How is Esko competing with the “total package” workflows on the commercial side..Screen, Agfa, Heidelberg, Kodak, Dalim?

Interesting story, I met with Agfa reps and 1 of the guys just came from Esko. He was not trying to sell us on Agfa and said Esko was a solid product. He had been to a couple of packaging shops in our area…one a mile from us when he was with Esko. He didn’t know we were here.!!
Now I don’t know what Esko sales rep handles our area because he was OUR Esko sales rep. He was about the 4th one in 4 years. I guess I have to call Esko and find who handles our area again.

Also I have read joepostcript’s posts, he does offer a lot of good info.

Mike