First seen earlier this year at Dalim Software's EuroDUO 2009 user conference, followed by a three-month private beta programme, DiALOGUE ES is the first application to be based on the new "ES" architecture, developed using XML, JDF and AJAX technologies and accessible using a standard web browser.
DiALOGUE ES is an innovative online softproofing and approval server which addresses the requirement of an easy-to-use, powerful and flexible system to handle all production-related proofing and approval tasks, says Dalim. Integrating with any third-party workflow, DiALOGUE ES extends the geographical reach of reviews and reduces job cycle time, while saving the cost of printing and shipping hard-copy proofs.
Using DiALOGUE ES:
* Photographers can share high-resolution files online in seconds;
* Agencies can publish mocks-up and high-resolution documents online instantly with as many users as they want;
* Publishers can receive the latest document revisions in realtime;
* Packaging companies can share the latest version of each job with rotation, varnish, die cuts, etc.;
* Prepress firms can reduce the time spent for intermediate proofs;
* Press operators can view the same proofs as customers.
According to the company, the system features sophisticated user and role management tools catering for every production workflow participant (brands, creative, premedia, labels and packaging, publishing, print, etc) and handling even the most complex approval processes. DiALOGUE ES also offers easy-to-use, colour-accurate softproofing of a variety of file formats using server-based closed-loop monitor calibration technology.
DiALOGUE ES utilises a job-based workflow, defining user roles as "Approver" or "Reviewer" (with no approval authority) and assigning an approval hierarchy. During production, each appointed participant can be notified by customised email (even in their native language) about job status and responsibilities. Emails are sent in HTML, with templates available for personalisation and/or branding. New revision management automatically receives incoming files and a "Compare" feature shows the user what has changed between revisions.
Additional options allow for full-resolution, colour-accurate softproofing allowing the checking of separations, max ink, density, etc. A "Flatplan View" lets users manually sort pages into their correct order within a web browser. Approvals can either be completed within the flatplan or in the softproofing view, allowing a more user-friendly method to track approvals. An RSS stream broadcasts the job for review as a "virtual book", including access of high-res softproofing as required. Users can approve or reject specific pages from the 'book'.
"DiALOGUE ES is the first of a new series of ES-powered solutions designed to give our customers a wealth of flexible and differentiated client services from a common platform," says Christopher Graf, Dalim Software's Chief Commercial Officer. "DiALOGUE ES also includes a number of features designed for the labels and packaging market, reflecting our new corporate strategic initiative to develop best-of-breed offerings to the packaging production market, based on our extensive experience in production automation."
The packaging-specific features of DiALOGUE ES will be one of the highlights on the Dalim Software booth 5A50 at LabelExpo (September 23-26th, Brussels, www.labelexpo-europe.com), the event for the label, product decoration, web printing and converting industry.
About Dalim Software
Dalim says: “Dalim Software is a privately held organization whose mission is to maximize the productivity of its customers in the printing and publishing industries by offering high-end software solutions designed to facilitate and automate the entire processing of files prior to printing. The company is a leading supplier of large-scale production systems for printers and publishers worldwide.
Dalim Software products (DALiM LiTHO, DALiM TWiST, DALiM DiALOGUE, DALIM PRiNTEMPO and DALiM MiSTRAL) are based on open architecture with well-defined APIs. Standard hardware platforms are utilized, and the company's object-oriented approach to software development ensures that future solutions can be simply and efficiently incorporated. Another fundamental requirement is that software should be optimized, ensuring tasks handled by Dalim Software products are performed in the shortest possible time. All Dalim Software products can be used independently, in conjunction with other vendors' equipment, or as part of an integrated publishing system. Dalim Software's commitment to design, development, training and technical support provides an excellent basis for an interactive, long-term partnership between the company and its customers.”
