PROSE vs. PROSE
PROSE vs. PROSE. What it was Why it didn’t catch on What we did about it Why it will work Who’s committed to using it. What PROSE Was: 1990 - 2000. Computerized production order Industry Standard, IdeAlliance endorsed Supported by contributors Meredith, Reader’s Digest, more... RRD
PROSE vs. PROSE
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Presentation Transcript
PROSE vs. PROSE What it was Why it didn’t catch on What we did about it Why it will work Who’s committed to using it
What PROSE Was: 1990 - 2000 • Computerized production order • Industry Standard, IdeAlliance endorsed • Supported by contributors • Meredith, Reader’s Digest, more... • RRD • Quad • Quebecor • Perry/Judds
...What PROSE Was • EDI Format • Electronic Data Interchange • Directly supported by Prograph • Toolbox • Magpro • Available to all vendors • Impoze, Managing Editor, Proteus
Why Didn’t It Catch On? • Ahead of its time? • Required significant changes to workflow • Not broad enough to cover all monthlies, weeklies, SIPs • “Frozen,” not easily modified • No formalized testing • Non-Database Format
Where Did it Work? • Custom Time Inc. Development • Considerable modifications to language • Proprietary Trading-Partner deployment • Result is successful EDI but not easily adaptable to others
What Did it Look Like? • It wasn’t pretty
What We Did About It:2000-2001 • Private effort to Redo Language • RRD, Quad, Meredith, Queb, others • Methods and Goals • Rewrite in XML • Test across variety of titles • Release to IdeAlliance for potential adoption
...What We Did About It:2002 • Presented to IdeAlliance Members • Review, suggestions, changes • Modified, Improved based on suggestions • February 2003 Rollout • New format appears stable and powerful
What it Looks Like Now • Lipstick on a pig? Or a silk purse...
Testing • Created live, complex magazine files • File integrity is built in to XML • (if it’s legible, it’s structured) • Included postal data, edition data, paper, weight, etc. • Thumbs up, ready to roll
Transition: Historical Ability • Converter written and tested • Converts XML to PROSE 1.2 • Compatible with Prograph Toolbox
Benefits: Publishers • Error reduction • No re-keyboarding at plant • Later closing • Closed-loop production data • No more bushel-basket instructions • Coordination among vendors
Risks: Publishers • Publishers often rely on vendors to fix messes • Data must be complete • Errors might obviously be your own fault
Benefits: Printers • Reallocate time spent re-keying data • Fewer mistakes, opportunities for make-goods • Integrated, digital workflow • Uniformity among customers
Risks: Printers • Very few risks • Printers are accustomed to digital workflows
The Big Picture: PROSE XML Interface to... • CDS, EDS, TCS, etc. • USPS • Wholesalers • Image Management • Ad Sales Database • Printer’s job control system
What to Do Next • Prepare to Digitize Production • Get rid of the pencils • Cross-Departmental Involvement • Electronic production data involves all departments • Eat Change for Breakfast • Automation of this magnitude will change your entire operation
Who’s Going First? Pubs... • Meredith • Participated in PROSE development since 1989 and isn’t giving up now • Gruner + Jahr • Coordinating and automating all production data • First postal-certified staff members for PAGE integration
Who’s Going First? Printers... • RRD building DIMs system around XML including PROSE • Quad plans to request PROSE from customers to feed job control • Brown, Perry/Judds, Quebecor all moving toward XML
R.O.I.? • Standards create R.O.I. • Cycle time reduction • More Productivity (use your imagination) • Closed-loop production data for all parties
PROSE XML It’s ready. Let’s rock.
