Shopping for New Workflow..Nexus vs. Prinergy Evo vs. ApogeX

[Dub]

Hello all, I am currently shopping for a new workflow for our prepress dept. We currently run Heidelberg Delta system with Signa station for impo, Trendsetter CTP with spectrum, Kodak XP4, HP Spinjet and a dusty EPson 9000 (soon to be 9600).

I have demo'd Nexus, ApogeeX so far and like both. Evo will be on Tuesday. First question for any one out there. Are there any pros or cons to a proprietary file format system (like nexus) vs. a PDF thru system like (appogeX and EVO). I like the direct drive function of Nexus.. especially for the XP4 (driver is supposed to be out very soon) and Epson proofers, but Apogee's web pdf approval system is sweet (need to compare to Webway.) Want to stay away from a system controlled by a huge database.. (even thought Apogee X has sql base), as most of our data collection, press, and finishing equipment is non-jdf capable, but want the capability for the future.

Any ideas from anyone with similar experiences?

Thanks,
Dub

[mattbeals]

You'll really like Prinergy if you liked Apogee. And Creo has a much better web front end than anyone else I think (having been a customer who used it for my pubs). You want the database now since you want it for down the road. After all, I think you are expecting to get 3-5 years of use out of it. One of my clients went through a similar list of vendors when choosing their workflow. Their choice was full blown Prinergy, Integris 800 and a Lotem 800. After looking at the database feature, workflow features (ripping for other printing intents), InSight and service/support they had no doubt that Prinergy was the right way.

[Dub]

Thanks for the input, my only problem with full blown oracle database controlled Prinergy will be in 2 years when Adobe quits supporting postscript extreme.. and the entire database will need to be redone around the newer technology.. also I am sure Creo will stick it to customers at this point, or maybe bail out and introduce a new package entirely. I guess this is where a proprietary system has an adavantage.. all that is needed is a new kernel to be re-written and you are up and running.

Any other thoughts...

-Dub

[mattbeals]

What does Extreme have to with databases? The database is there to keep track of the job(s), its parameters and data collection. As long as Prinergy stays ODBC compliant, how will they stick it to you? It's not like they are going to lock you out of the database. The database won't need to be "re-done". Four things could happen: First, the database fields and records are preserved and still used. Second, the database fields could be updated to ADD fields. Thereby expanding the database. Third, the database could be dumped and imported into a new database structure or system. Fourth, the database could be flat our ignored and a new system put in its place. The first two are more likely, the latter two are highly unlikelly if not outrageously rediculous.

The database is one of the stong points of Prinergy. So if Adobe does abandon Extreme Prinergys database won't care since it's collecting information, not processing it for output.

[Lammy]

Check out RAMpage as well. They have a real interesting web proofing system as well.

[mattbeals]

RAMPage is database driven too. Detect a pattern?

[Dub]

thanks for the info Matt.. just went over Prinergy EVO today with my Creo rep, seems pretty good and may be a good solution given that we can add the database later for data collection as we upgrade MIS, estimating etc. Artworks in still up there also, it is just so feature packed that it is hard to ignore.

Dub

[mattbeals]

See? Not so bad... Artworks is hard to ignore, but in the end I think you will find Prinergy a better long term investment. But either way, you are winning.