Margaret Motamed, Director of Project Management & Planning for Electronics for Imaging (EFi), gave a presentation titled “PPML – the New Personalized Print Language”.  EFi is a member company of PODi and the PPML standards initiative.  PPML is Personalized Print Markup Language that is XML based.  Margaret told us how PODi is going about implementing the PPML initiative.  Other member companies include Adobe, HP, Indigo, Xerox, etc.  You can see all members, along with everything you might want to know about PPML at the PODi web site at www.podi.org. Margaret explained the technical challenges associated with implementing a personalized print standard.  Determining feature priorities has been a challenge for PODi.  For example, PPML has step and repeat imposition capabilities built in. Margaret opened the session up for a detailed question and answer forum.

Sue Guy, Director of Strategic Consulting for Sefas Innovation, Inc.  Sue presented “Data, the Common Denominator to Personalization”.  The Automated Document Factory metaphor was used to exhibit the various elements of a complete document strategy using Sefas OpenPrint products. This includes; 1-Data Drivers, 2-Critical Document Factors, 3-Document Data “Musts”, 4-Data-Driven Document Technologies.  The OpenPrint architecture includes the following components; Studio, Remake, Delivery, Director, Back Stage, and Projector.  Sue also discussed the application of neuro-linguistic programming/the science of information design to your document designs for achievable business results.  She physically tested our reaction to a particular document heading.