CIP4 publishes the initial version of the XJDF Conventional Printing ICS

CIP4 has published a new version of the Conventional Printing ICS (v. 2.2)

The first release of the Conventional Printing ICS (version 2.2) for XJDF has been published.

The Conventional Printing ICS v2.2 (MIS-CP ICS) defines standardized interfaces between MIS-driven production workflows and the systems involved in prepress and conventional printing. It covers the flow of job data from planning through prepress processes (such as imposition and plate production) and into print production, ensuring consistent interoperability across these roles.

What is an ICS?

An ICS essentially does three things:

  • Narrows the scope of the full XJDF spec to what’s relevant for a particular use-case
  • Defines roles and responsibilities (e.g., MIS, controller, device)
  • Specifies required message exchanges and data elements between those roles

ICS (Interoperability Conformance Specification) documents manage the interoperability between low-level "workers" as they relate the more grand workflow automation scheme that an MIS manages. Due to their much more narrow focus, ICS releases are a good way to deal with aspects of JDF that are specific to a particular job type or role, and much more manageable to implement.
(Much of the full JDF specification may not be relevant to all solutions. ICS releases are a good way to streamline implementation by defining specific roles your workflow may require, and incorporating them as-needed.)

As are all CIP4 published specifications, the MIS-CP ICS is freely available for download here.

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