Heidelberg releases new Prinect 2020 digital workflow

The world's biggest press manufacturer Heidelberg is rolling out the new 2020 version of its Prinect workflow software to printers.

The partially cloud-based system integrates Push-to-Stop functionality, providing what Heidelberg bills as greater automation with lower costs.

According to Richard Timson, managing director at Heidelberg Australia, local users should expect to be updated to the new version soon.

Timson said, “The upgrades are minor enhancements to the existing platform, Prinect 2019. We can expect some significant changes in the next version, Prinect 2021, as it coincides with drupa.

“The applications team will have already done the internal training in Germany, and they will now roll out the update to Prinect users on appropriate contracts."

Some other new features in Prinect 2020 include gang form creation with automatic optimisation; Plate Pilot, which automatically supplies plates as needed; enhanced support for hardcover book production; a range of new packaging functions; and the Prinect Portal collaboration platform.

According to Jürgen Grimm, head of software solutions at Heidelberg, the company is gradually migrating functions from Prinect to the cloud.

“By taking out a subscription contract, customers can gain access to them as and when required and based on the benefits they offer.

“The Prinect workflow thus forms the backbone of digitisation in print shops,” he said.

Prinect 2020 will be backed by HTML-based online support.