ClassWizard Interface to SoftCare K4 passes Trial at St. Galler Tagblatt AG

Topix AG, the Swiss system integrator for SoftCare K4 and ClassWizard, together with Hamburg-based K4 integrator SNAP Innovation, have been the first to combine the market leading solutions ClassWizard and SoftCare K4. It only took a few weeks for the system specialists to complete the pilot project, the development of a bidirectional ClassWizard-K4 interface for the St. Galler Tagblatt AG’s “anzeiger”. Beginning in April this year, the weekly newspaper, as well as two of its regional editions, will be produced using ClassWizard and SoftCare K4 according to a clear principle – SoftCare K4 manages editorial content, and ClassWizard plans, connects and positions adverts and editorial sections, before handing the finished product on to the next workflow stage.

In terms of editing, advert management and creation, that means objects can now be automatically placed and visualized on each page. Therefore, all content can be transferred to a central print planning structure. ClassWizard makes it possible, for instance, to work with several layouts simultaneously on one page, to combine partial pages, or to mix and transfer content from varied sources within a single planning structure.

For Dieter Herzmann, Managing Director at Topix, this flexible new approach is unique in the newspaper field. “The functionality of the bidirectional XML interface in resolving object rules allows us to use ClassWizard and K4 differently depending on the needs of each particular client,” he says. “So, for example, at the “anzeiger”, we are supplying the planning and layout pre-press system ClassWizard with content from the editorial system SoftCare K4. Usually it works the other way around. But this way, neither content nor layout is creatively limited.”

A major advantage of this method is the ability to “hand down” page elements or even entire pages, referencing content as desired. That means that with ClassWizard, any regional or specialized editions – even in differing formats – can be effortlessly viewed and exported in full. In the same way, ClassWizard will automatically create a table of contents, index and sort sequences for each edition based on its layout.

Jörg Schiessler, Managing Director of ClassWizard GmbH, envisages great potential still untapped by the partnership with SoftCare. Schiessler says: “When the leading editorial system and the leading pre-press software developer form this kind of an alliance, a new standard of quality is the result. We are setting a new benchmark for automated, dynamic periodical production.”

About ClassWizard GmbH
ClassWizard GmbH specializes in PDF-based page planning and make-up solutions. Their flagship product, ClassWizard, is a planning and make-up system for fast and efficient print production of newspapers and magazines. Whether page elements, batches or supplements, ClassWizard handles copy and advertising pages in all established formats. ClassWizard is platform-independent and uses the XML data format, while taking full advantage of its wholly PDF-based workflow. Adverts, headings and body text are automatically laid out and optimized for space using the proprietary high-end PDF engine, without the need for conversion to PostScript. For more details, please visit www.classwizard.com.

About Topix AG
Topix AG, with offices in St. Gallen and Zurich, is one of the leading Swiss system houses for graphic solutions. The company offers consulting services, conception, sales, technical service, support and training. Besides the SoftCare K4 and K2 publishing systems, Topix AG distributes various multi-platform solutions for server/storage, media asset management/content management, workflow management, and security/communication. For more details, please visit www.topix.ch.

About SoftCare
SoftCare was founded in 1990 and is a leading developer of workflow solutions for the publishing industry, helping magazine, newspaper and book publishers work more efficiently. The powerful, integrated publishing solution SoftCare K4 combines efficient working processes with verifiable time and cost benefits for users and is now regarded as a standard product within the industry. The SoftCare K2 workgroup system provides an excellent base product for people entering the world of professional publishing. The system is ideal for small workgroups that want to combine creative know-how with efficient processes. Simple and secure use as well as flexibility and stability represent decisive benefits for the user. SoftCare K4 has been successfully implemented at sites ranging from 10 to more than 1,000 users. Both solutions support Mac OS X and Windows clients in mixed-platform environments, as well as all current server platforms. SoftCare teams up with trained System Integrators to ensure high-quality service and support for the system on a local level. Additional information can be found on our Web site.

Anna-Lena Hanel
Public Relations

SoftCare Software-Service GmbH
Kieler Straße 103
25474 Bönningstedt
PHONE +49 (0) 40 55 69 50-25
FAX +49 (0) 40 55 69 50-50
EMAIL press@softcare.de
WEB www.softcare.de

This release was published on openPR.