EFI JDF Connector FAQs & Instructions

What is the EFI Fiery® JDF Connector?
The EFI Fiery JDF Connector is a complimentary add-on solution to the Fiery that runs on a separate PC and allows Fierys to be integrated into a JDF workflow. This connector enables bi-directional JDF device connectivity between JDF applications (e.g., EFI Print MIS solutions) submitting JDF intent or JDF process job tickets via JDF’s Job Messaging Format (JMF) and Fierys.

What is JDF?
JDF stands for Job Definition Format and is a comprehensive public standard supported by EFI™ and over 200 other graphic arts companies in CIP4. CIP4 is a collaboration of 14 partner members, which EFI is a part of, that develops standards for JDF, which employs Extensible Markup Language (XML), a descriptive computer language that is used by leading software developers worldwide to exchange data between systems.

Where can I learn more about acronym definitions associated with JDF?
Below are a few key terms. You may find many more at: www.cip4.org/overview/glossary.html.
• Job Definition Format (JDF)
• Job Messaging Format (JMF)
• Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME)
• Management Information System (MIS)
• Extensible Markup Language (XML)

What are the benefits of enabling JDF on Fierys?
Through the EFI Fiery JDF Connector, Fierys can now be part of a JDF workflow by providing automatic conversion and a user interface to specify anything missing the Fiery needs to process a job. Enabling JDF on a Fiery yields several benefits including:

  • Reducing manually entering and re-entering of meta-data.
  • Automating data collection (e.g., time and materials) and allowing much more detailed data collection than is feasible in a manual system.
  • Allowing customer intent job description specification to truly be independent of the actual production process.
  • Programmatically specifying the customer-supplied files to reduce the risk of operator errors printing the wrong file or file version.
  • Allowing automatic, unattended processing of jobs generated by state-of-the-art front end systems, such as EFI Digital StoreFront™ or Adobe Acrobat 7 or 8 Professional ’s JDF job submission.

What information is sent from the EFI Print MIS to the Fiery and from the Fiery to the EFI Print MIS?
Information that is exchanged between solutions is dependent on the creator of the data. When a job is initially created in an MIS, the MIS sends it to the EFI Fiery JDF Connector as much job detail as can be defined. This information includes job numbers, job IDs, job descriptions, media and quantities. When a job is manufactured through the Fiery, the EFI Fiery JDF Connector returns status and costing information to the MIS.

Does the EFI Fiery JDF Connector integrate with other vendor´s products?
The current release of the EFI Fiery JDF Connector is validated with EFI Print MIS solutions, Adobe’s Acrobat 7.0 and 8.0 Professional and Canon’s imageWARE Prepress Manager.

What are the components of the EFI Fiery JDF Connector?
The EFI Fiery JDF Connector is designed as a client-server solution. The server module which is a stand-alone application handles the bi-directional exchange of information between Fierys and supported applications such as EFI Print MIS systems via JMF. One server module can handle a minimum of four EFI print servers and four simultaneous connected remote client user interfaces. The client part of the EFI Fiery JDF Connector is a stand-alone application which provides the user interface to the server module in order to manage jobs and administrate the server module.

What are the PC requirements for the EFI Fiery JDF Connector?
The PC should have at minimum a 1 GHz processor with a minimum of 512 RAM and a 40 GB hard drive and running Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2. Click here for more information.

Will the EFI Fiery JDF Connector run on a Macintosh®?
The solution currently has not been developed for the Macintosh® environment at this time. EFI is evaluating the requirement for this as we move forward.

Does the EFI Fiery JDF Connector work with all versions of the Fiery?
EFI is currently focusing on the production-level Fiery products. Click here for a complete list of supported Fierys.

How do I get the EFI Fiery JDF Connector?
The EFI Fiery JDF Connector is available for registered users at www.efi.com/support/download-software.asp.

How do I get support for the EFI Fiery JDF Connector?
EFI™ provides primary support for its EFI Fiery® JDF Connectors through its Print MIS support staff. New users are required to purchase an EFI Print MIS maintenance plan.

Customers with a current support and maintenance contracts for their EFI Print MIS solutions can submit their requests via the Web by visiting: http://www.efi.com/support/production/fiery/other/jdf-connector/registration-forms.asp

Customers with older Print MIS solutions need to upgrade to the most recent product version of EFI Hagen™ OA, EFI Logic™ and EFI PrintSmith®. These users also need to purchase an additional EFI Print MIS maintenance plan.

Where can I get more information about JDF?
www.cip4.org

Where can I get more detailed information about the Fiery JDF Connector?
Fiery JDF Connector

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