• Preview of latest technology at IFRA
• Based on successful PlanSystem3
• Total solution, including enhanced cross-media publishing capabilities

October 27th, 2008, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Van Gennep previews the latest incarnation of its highly successful publishing workflow management systems at IFRA 2008. The new solution, called "Polo" incorporates the best features of its predecessor, "PlanSystem3", but dramatically improves operational efficiency with more intuitive interfaces and a host of new features. Polo also makes use of the latest technology to enable it to set the pace in the fast moving publishing industry.

According to Gerda Oppewal, CCO, "In line with the philosophy of the Van Gennep business, PlanSystem3 has always been enhanced to match the needs of our customers. However, it was time for a more radical change. The latest technology offers so many additional benefits that will meet the changing and future needs of our customers, especially in the field of web publishing. Polo is therefore a complete solution, which not only manages the print production process but also looks after pre-planning, the collection of digital assets for web and print, the pre-press workflow, softproofing and more.

"In a nutshell, Polo delivers the latest in best practice publishing workflows. It also has a new 'go-faster' look and feel."

Five key features differentiate Polo from PlanSystem3:

Cross-media capabilities
Polo supports true cross-media publishing capabilities, enhanced by the use of XML, which enables structured data and content to be used throughout the entire workflow including archive and retrieval. The use of data identified in a more accurate, flexible, and adaptable way improves functionality of Polo as well as its cross-media potential.

Project-based operation
PlanSystem3 was originally developed as a print-based management and workflow system. For this reason, it stores files assuming that they are for a specific publication, year and issue.

Polo breaks the rigidity of this structure by working in projects, rather than publications. Each project is a workspace which can be used to collect content, such as a series of advertisements, a collection of assets for your website or features on a specific topic. Working in this way, Polo enables workflows to be driven through a single desktop or web client with other applications called into play only when they are needed. The result is improved efficiency of operation, flexibility and simplified digital asset management.

Subject-based planning
Polo takes the advanced planning capabilities of PlanSystem3 to a new level by adding the ability to create subject-based plans. In subject-based planning, task lists are created in their earliest stage, and progress for each task is tracked and recorded. By working with subjects rather than specific books or publications, the system keeps a better overview of all elements in the production chain, ensuring a smoother workflow. For example, tasks that do not have specific files associated with them, such as travel plans for a photoshoot, are difficult to track in publication-orientated workflows.

Whiteboard creativity
Whiteboard planning is a new tool to help stimulate the creative process. It is a simple-to-use, virtual whiteboard where any digital asset can be dropped. Pictures, headlines, graphics, mastheads, movies, text and comments can be gathered in one location and then arranged in a totally flexible way to help brainstorm a new magazine, edition or subject. Once the creative process is underway, the relevant digital assets are already accessible for the next stage.

"Our objective with Polo was to make publishing workflows as easy and efficient as possible," concludes Gerda. By keeping the solid foundations of PlanSystem3, adding functionality and enhancing the way it works, Polo is expected to provide a sea change for operators and to company bottom lines.

"There is one final key to this change – the operator interface. It is now the access point for everything in the workflow with screens that are not only more intuitive but also easily customized to exactly match the needs of each client. So with more information and tools at their fingertips, planning, editorial, advertising, prepress or production teams can all do a better job with less effort – the perfect working scenario."

Polo is currently undergoing Beta trials and will be available in Q2, 2009. An upgrade will be provided for customers that purchase PlanSystem3 in the meantime.

About Van Gennep
Established in 1988, Van Gennep - Media Automation Consulting BV offers consulting and software development for the publishing industries. Based on its long time experience Van Gennep developed several publishing planning and workflow management systems, used on hundreds of work stations worldwide, and provides state-of-the-art solutions for important players in the worldwide publishing industry.

CONTACT:
Gerda Oppewal
+31-20-6976029
Van Gennep – M.A.C. BV
Burg. Stramanweg 105
Amsterdam
The Netherlands
info@vangennep.com