Digital Work flow: Job Definition Format (JDF)
...s defined in terms of inputs and outputs. The inputs are the processes and recourses used. For example paper, inks, plates, are all considered inputs. The outputs are are the resulting products of the inputs. For example the a press sheet is the resulting output from the example above. The branching system makes the outputs from one process the input for the next. So a press sheet may be in the input for bindery. The JDF system allows management to easily track the status of a job through the Job Messaging Format (JMF). Through a computer network built into a plant, when a process is completed this information is sent through a computer system so that it can be monitored. New equipment with built in compatibility with JDF and JMF stadards can contribute extra information to these reports such as performance data. This data can be used to create quality management systems, reroute work flow and more accurately price jobs. Because the information relayed in JMF systems uses XML, a standard used in information systems on the World Wide Web, custom systems can be created to manipulate this data in any way the vendor sees fit. Process automation should reduce work, not add to it. One of the elements of JDF that helps to reduce the amount of wasted effort is the elimination of reentering data. Job data is entered once at the beginning of the process and is maintained throughout all subsequent processes. Because JDF enabled equipment can read this embedded data, work is reduced by having equipment automatically configure itself for the best quality. For example, folders could automatically set up all the necessary folds and presses can set their own ink keys from the information gathered from JDF enabled prepress equipment. If your work flow consists of many similar products, JDF profiles can be created to reduce the amount of work even more. By creating a profile for all similar work, entering data is simplified to the point of selecting profiles from a list. To establish the JDF system in a plant you want to start small; supplying the JDF automation to an areas of the plant where it will provide the most immediate benefits. You can't expect to apply the system to your entire plant overnight. You must pick a specific production line or target a certain customer group to test the system to gain the necessary experience with JDF. Because the implementation of JDF can be complicated there are a few steps that must be taken prior to realization. The first step is to create a team responsib...