Agfa has left the PrintCity consortium, saying it has chosen a new approach for demonstrating the benefits of connectivity to its customers. At drupa 2004, the company was the leading enabler of connectivity between PrintCity's print factories in Hall 6. At future shows, full connectivity demonstrations will not be limited to consortium partner companies, it says.
"The PrintCity project has been a very successful one for us," says Agfa's vp of imaging solutions, Jan Van Daele. "Drupa 2004 has fully demonstrated that systems and software from any member company can be integrated seamlessly. JDF connectivity, automation, open architecture and interoperability are very much a reality in our industry today. We will demonstrate connectivity in our day-to-day business, not just in a consortium or at a trade show."
"We were a founding partner at the previous drupa but today's reality is different," adds vp of graphic systems sales and services Marc Schillemans. "Open standards have become a given and we will continue to invest our efforts and resources in innovations, connectivity and profitability for our customers."
PrintCity managing director Rainer Kuhn comments: "Agfa has changed its priorities and, of course, it is entirely right for it to focus on these. Its decision is no reflection on the success of PrintCity and we are pleased that Agfa has acknowledged the accomplishments of being part of PrintCity."
John Dangelmaier, president of PrintCity, adds: "The Agfa charter objectives for PrintCity were fully met in general and especially at drupa. Our 'closed loop… open systems' approach will continue on an even grander scale in the future. However, we recognize that there is still much work to be done in the area of integration, which is not limited to JDF. We have lots of exciting news around the corner."
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