Integration the easy way?

Hybrid Systems claims it has an easy route for narrow web converters to integrate their graphics and order management systems. Andy Thomas investigates

In L&L4, L&L announced the formation in Belgium of Hybrid Software NV, the European subsidiary of the successful American company of the same name.  Hybrid Software offers ‘integration as you’ve never seen it before’, according to Jan Ruysschaert, managing director of the new venture.  With thirty years working in the pre-press/software arena, he should know an exciting development when he sees it.

‘Since its creation in 2007 Hybrid Software has built up a customer base in North America of around 150 printers for its Order Lifecycle Management concept, which turns on its head conventional thinking about how to integrate existing pre-press equipment and workflows with MIS systems and job ticketing,’ says Ruysschaert. ‘JDF is often not practical in these situations, while custom integration methods are generally too expensive for many printers.’

With a stand at LabelExpo Europe, Hybrid Software initially has its European sights set firmly on the label market, although its products are suitable for a wide range of print sectors, from packaging and inkjet to digital, screen and conventional offset. There are certainly users in almost every print-related field imaginable across the water.  Development work will remain in America while Hybrid Software NV will concentrate on sales and service in Europe, Eastern Europe and Latin America. 

‘We don’t make systems such as MIS, ERP, databases, etc – there are plenty of excellent options available already. As we don’t compete with these vendors they are generally keen to work with us because of the added-value we offer, particularly in the way we have turned integration into a product. Using easy to follow templates, printers can perform integration themselves, resulting in an extremely low cost of ownership and a short completion time.’

Hybrid Software’s products fall into three main families, which all operate via web browser technology, providing vendor-independent solutions based on industry standards such as JDF, JMF and SQL. The first product in the portfolio is FrontDesk, which provides a seamless web-based interface between the printer and its customers.

‘As well as preflighting, plus powerful upload and download facilities, FrontDesk enables comprehensive tracking of orders from multiple sources, from online ordering and file management to delivery of the completed job, as well as total interaction with the workflow for tasks such as viewing and approvals.  It creates a complete Order Lifecycle Management environment that goes beyond anything currently on the market, eliminating the need for a variety of data entry points in the workflow.’

FrontDesk is compatible with many industry-leading soft proofing tools and can be enhanced with optional modules for variable data printing, retail store profiling and campaign management.

Another Hybrid Software product, FaceLift, is claimed to enable ‘seamless integration between production workflows, MIS/ERP systems, third-party websites, external databases and other sources of digitally held information’.  In addition to the required files, FaceLift gathers all the production-related information necessary for the order to be produced (whether or not sources are JDF, JMF or SQL enabled), allowing control of every stage of the job’s life-cycle. 

Hybrid Software’s third product, FileForce, connects multiple production or printing sites within an enterprise environment, resulting in the ability to benefit from the enormous efficiencies that can be obtained by load balancing and file sharing between sites.  FileForce does not require a centralised file server or DAM system and instead works in conjunction with local file servers at each location.  File versions can be moved, copied, harvested, scrapped, archived and tracked accurately across multiple sites as revisions occur throughout the order lifecycle.

‘Hybrid Software has worked with label printers of all sizes in North America, including those operating a mixture of screen, flexo, offset and digital output devices,’ says Jan Ruysschaert.  ‘We can integrate all facets of their production process, even across multiple sites, to ensure streamlined file management control at every stage. 

Pictured: Hybrid Systems’ facelift integrates all the sources of digitally held information at the converter’s plant

This article was published in L&L issue 5, 2011