1. TotalFlow Prep
An overview of Ricoh's software for document preparation for production printing
TotalFlow Prep is an application that enables users to assemble and prepare documents for production print, including page management, finishing, tab design and imposition. Along with TotalFlow Path for business integration and Print and Production Manager for output management, there is a solution for nearly every challenge in the small to mid size production print environment.
Version 4.1

2. TotalFlow Suite - Purpose and Goals
Avanti and other MIS
Support Ricoh common GW controllers for low cost solutions
Ricoh GW controllers
Uniquely support new Ricoh TotalFlow Print Server controllers
Marcom and other W2P
New Ricoh TotalFow Print Server
Drive familiar partner controllers to Ricoh and other printers
Many other business applications
EFI Fiery Controllers
Connect to other business operations to reduce touch points and mistakes.
To illustrate this business oriented architecture approach I have just described, today I am very pleased to announce the European rollout of Avanti Slingshot, starting in The UK.
Avanti Slingshot is the next generation Print MIS (Management Information System), incorporating business intelligence, production planning, shipping and billing into one easy-to-use, easy-to-implement system.
It has everything you would expect from a leading MIS, plus it has the unique benefit of being available as a cloud-based solution and so making it more accessible.
As a browser-based application with an easy-to-use GUI, Avanti Slingshot provides “anytime, anywhere” access to the system from any device such as desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
Avanti Slingshot has seamless integration into Ricoh’s TotalFlow solutions but is also designed to easily integrate with third party applications and equipment with robust Application Programming Interfaces (API’s), using industry standard protocols such as JDF/JMF and XML, to ensure a streamlined business and production workflow.
Support for multiple lines of business including offset, digital, large format, fulfilment, mailing and marketing services is uniquely offered by Avanti Slingshot.
And finally, make better business decisions with business intelligence about your customers and the profitability of their jobs, provided via the integrated CRM system, dashboards and reporting tools.
Connect to Ricoh family applications such as Avanti and Marcom

3. TotalFlow Prep and Production Manager
Web to print
MIS
Shipping
Other
Business Integration
TotalFlow Path
Print production
Submission
Pre-Press
Print
Scheduling Error recovery
Media handling
PCL/PS transforms
finishing
TotalFlow Print or Production Manager
PDF
Editing
Imposition
Settings
PDF
TotalFlow
Prep
DOC
Designed to optimise the productivity and enhance the capabilities of our cut sheet presses, the TotalFlow Prep and Production manager solutions provide PDF based Make Ready and Production management capabilities to your workflow.
Page level editing and an integrated imposition are two modules that are included in Prep, along with Enfocus PitStop which is fully embedded for pre-flighting and that will detect and automatically fix the most common errors in PDF files
Job Error recovery and in-built transforms are featured in Production Manager
And TotalFlow can also manage the output of jobs to non Ricoh devices in a multi vendor environment.
So this may be all you need to manage print workflows to maximise the productivity and performance of your digital presses
Just a word on colour management, which is a critical requirement in the prepress process.
[Click]
XLS
PDF
PPT
PUB
TXT
Incorporating

4. Common Connectivity Technology
RICOH Applications
RICOH Printer Connector
RICOH GW+ IMSS
TotalFlow Prep
TotalFlow Print Manager
TotalFlow Production Manager
TotalFlow Path
TotalFlow RPD
Etc.
PDF to PostScript
PDF to JDF/PDF
Ticketing
Resource gathering (such as device info and media)
Upgradable independent from applications
EFI Fiery PostScript or Fiery JDF
RICOH TotalFlow Print Server (JDF/PDF)
The specific features built into Prep are the result of extensive customer research and years of experience, with the goal to provide easy to understand function necessary to accomplish the most common tasks facing a print operator or customer service representative. All of this can be automated if necessary as part of a Production Manager or Path workflow or stand alone with hot folders. Templates are supported for ease in replicating common tasks such as business card layout or scanned image cleanup.
Unsupported PostScript printers

5. RICOH TotalFlow Prep
The specific features built into Prep are the result of extensive customer research and years of experience, with the goal to provide easy to understand function necessary to accomplish the most common tasks facing a print operator or customer service representative. All of this can be automated if necessary as part of a Production Manager or Path workflow or stand alone with hot folders. Templates are supported for ease in replicating common tasks such as business card layout or scanned image cleanup.

6. Prep TotalFlow VISION OPPORTUNITY SOLUTION
Recent trends in production print operations indicate a growing need for faster turnaround to handle the increase in smaller jobs. In addition, it is often necessary to deliver content to multiple output devices and even non-print destinations.
VISION
TotalFlow Prep was designed to provide the shop operator with a powerful tool for quickly and accurately preparing documents for production printing and portable PDF
Production print facilities often receive content not suitable for immediate printing. The content may be in a native application, more than one PDF file, out of order or may simply be missing production information such as covers, tabs and finishing options. It is often difficult to assemble jobs with printer specific media and finishing, especially page exceptions. TotalFlow Prep makes these tasks easy, while minimizing hands on time for every job.
SOLUTION
Ricoh is continuing to develop excellent printers for the production market and Prep provides powerful features for rapidly setting up jobs to take advantage of the printer and finishers.

7. Features & Benefits TotalFlow Prep Visual Assembly Content Editing
Visually assemble jobs from multiple sources, reducing the need to convert
Content Editing
Edit content to clean up scanned images, reducing re-scan and manual steps
Visual Management
View and manage pages and sheets to accurately assemble to production requirements
Presets
Use predefined presets or instantly create new ones to enable reproduction of common work
Hot Folders
Use hot folders to automate common tasks such as booklets, business cards, etc.,
The specific features built into Prep are the result of extensive customer research and years of experience, with the goal to provide easy to understand function necessary to accomplish the most common tasks facing a print operator or customer service representative. All of this can be automated if necessary as part of a Production Manager or Path workflow or stand alone with hot folders. Templates are supported for ease in replicating common tasks such as business card layout or scanned image cleanup.
Imposition
Imposition features for common production operations plus advanced options for custom barcodes, marks and banners

8. New in version 4.1! TotalFlow Prep Feature Benefits
Generic Printer Support
Version 4.1 offers the new ability to connect to most PostScript printers,. Finally drive that DigiMaster!
Advanced Imposition
A new, optional imposition package offers an incredible new selection of imposition, barcodes, banner pages and marks capabilities not normally found in make ready applications. Expected Japanese version is 4.2 or patch for
Bleed Edge Tabs
This critical new feature gives operators the option to offer options in page tabs, with creative shapes and background colors for bleed edge tabs.
Editing/cropping improvements
Also in 4.1, new imaging features support the extraction of content from an exiting page to establish the base image for a new job or page content
New controls for color – b/w pages
Version 4.1 will improve how color and b/w pages can be managed to better control costs per page and file sizes
Task Manager
Prep Task Manager has been incorporated into the main application and is no longer separate. Also, print job status and history is readily available, with event notifications
The specific features built into Prep are the result of extensive customer research and years of experience, with the goal to provide easy to understand function necessary to accomplish the most common tasks facing a print operator or customer service representative. All of this can be automated if necessary as part of a Production Manager or Path workflow or stand alone with hot folders. Templates are supported for ease in replicating common tasks such as business card layout or scanned image cleanup.

9. TotalFlow Prep New in version 4.1-Advanced Imposition (option)
New technology provides custom imposition, bar codes, banner pages, and marks definitions
Powerful imposition tool now embedded in TotalFlow Prep offers state of the art control of layouts for broader print product and process applications
The specific features built into Prep are the result of extensive customer research and years of experience, with the goal to provide easy to understand function necessary to accomplish the most common tasks facing a print operator or customer service representative. All of this can be automated if necessary as part of a Production Manager or Path workflow or stand alone with hot folders. Templates are supported for ease in replicating common tasks such as business card layout or scanned image cleanup.
Expected Japanese version is late Q4

10. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISTRIBUTE OUTSIDE OF RICOH
For In-plants, POD printers, etc. especially schools and other small to mid-size production environments
Customer receives jobs in a condition not ready for printing. May need pagination, tabs, general touch up
Customer needs hard copy capture from scanner and document clean up
Customer needs an easy to learn, easy to use application suitable for temporary or part time employees
May have mixed printer/controller environment
Needs fast tool for imposition layouts
Ricoh Target Customer Profile –
TotalFlow Prep
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISTRIBUTE OUTSIDE OF RICOH

11. TotalFlow Prep Value Proposition
For
Small PSPs/CPs/In-Plant printers with Ricoh Production Cut-sheet printers
Who
Need to prepare their PDF Files for printing
Our Product
TotalFlow Prep is an affordable document content preparation tool
That
Simplifies your ability to set up your print production file By
+ Automatically setting your job up to match the devices capabilities
+ Allowing you to make late stage edits
+ Combining hardcopy and digital file processes
+ Providing an actual preview of the file including finishing selections
Which
Allows you to save time and money in your preparation process
Unlike
MicroPress or EFI (doesn’t support GW or other controllers)
This product
Provides highly effective integration with Ricoh devices….and can be invoked from other Ricoh applications such as Path and Production Manager
Prep is designed to open standards, with JDF as the core interoperability format with PDF. The investment with Prep is not locked into any one vendor, and will readily work with Ricoh and EFI controllers.

12. TotalFlow Prep Differentiators
Unlike competitive products, TotalFlow Prep offers these capabilities:
Non-proprietary
Works with all Ricoh production printers using Ricoh and EFI controllers, plus an extensive list of inline and off line finishing. Enable other devices easily through PDF output or directly through Print and Production Manager. No longer rely on single, proprietary vendor with expensive accessories and options.
Integrated
Solid integration with TotalFlow Path, Print and Production Manager for business operations and output management
Intelligent
Recognizes the media catalogs of the new Ricoh and Fiery Server controllers for easy document layout and reliable printing
Prep is designed to open standards, with JDF as the core interoperability format with PDF. The investment with Prep is not locked into any one vendor, and will readily work with Ricoh and EFI controllers.

13. For more information please visit:
EMPOWERED
Operators are empowered with the ability to assemble jobs from PDF, image files and scanning input to produce production ready documents in minimal time.
For more information please visit:
TotalFlow Prep
Summary
TotalFlow Prep provides indispensable capabilities for a production print environment well beyond the traditional print drivers and proprietary controller options
TotalFlow Prep enables print providers with the tools necessary for rapid document preparation with minimal training requirements. Rely on TotalFlow Prep and other members of the TotalFlow family to solve your production bottlenecks in an open, non-proprietary solution.

14. TotalFlow Prep, PM and Path Use
If … then use
Prep
Print Manager
Production Manager
Path
Few printers, low volume 
Some volume, needs printer redundancy
Course packs, page exceptions, binding, tabs, lots of media
Higher volume of jobs or pages. More printers.
PostScript or PCL data sources, repetitive tasks, unskilled labor
Web to print
MIS or other third party application integration

15. TotalFlow Prep – Competitive
Products
Ricoh TotalFlow Prep – General PDF make ready application for all controllers
EFI MicroPress – Raster based DFE and make ready. Printer specific.
EFI JobMaster – PDF make ready for EFI controllers only
Overview
MicroPress has been discontinued so the rush is on to fill the void. EFI has the inside track with JobMaster because of general familiarity both in customer base and sales/service. Prep must evolve in key areas to compete.
Key Features
General PDF page arrangement, addition and removal.
Media and print option selection pertinent to the production printer
Tab creation and production management with automation
Imposition capabilities in support of common tasks and available finishers
Visual presentation of the desired production print product.
Services
EFI offers expensive and proprietary services
Ricoh has well respected service organization. Non- proprietary services are an advantage if core products are suitable.
Pricing
Ricoh TotalFlow Prep – $5000 MSRP
EFI MicroPress – >$12,000 depending on connectivity and options
EFI JobMaster – $ $7000 depending on EFI Impose and promotions
Automation, training, professional services and customizations

16. Competitive - EFI MicroPress
Company Facts
Who they sell to
How they sell it
Ricoh sells EFI products as well as TotalFlow products globally.
Broad range of cut sheet environments including
Inplant
Print for pay franchise
Commercial
Usually sold with printer
Training and service often required as part of the deal.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Good finishing and media support
Powerful tab features including bleed edge and multi-bank
Good automation and forms options
Reprint consistency with raster data
Printer portfolio – Canon, K/M, Ricoh historically, all are discontinuing because of EFI pressure
Expensive
Raster only, little to no PDF support
Printer specific
Discontinued product
What they claim
What we know
Ricoh Advantage
Good solution for monochrome high availability and redundancy
Solid solution but discontinued
Prep is significantly less expensive and has many of the necessary features.
Broad connectivity, expandable
Limited to directly supported printers
Prep is PDF based and supports both EFI and Ricoh controllers
JDF and W2P connectivity
Very limited connection to DSF and simple JDF only
Extensive JDF ticketing and with Path has open ended connectivity

17. Competitive - EFI JobMaster
Company Facts
Who they sell to
How they sell it
Ricoh sells EFI products as well as TotalFlow products globally.
Broad range of cut sheet environments including
Inplant
Print for pay franchise
Commercial
Usually sold with printer
Training and service often required as part of the deal.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Good finishing and media support for EFI controller
Decent tab features including recent additions of bleed edge and multi-bank
Easy to understand
Reprint consistency with raster data
Fiery controller only
Integration with EFI software only without expensive additions
Printer specific
No imposition, must also have EFI Compose
What they claim
What we know
Ricoh Advantage
Flexible – PC or Mac client
Actually distributed via CWS, with painful updates
Prep is less expensive and has many of the necessary features.
Ease of use, familiar Fiery interface
Actually is fairly easy to use
Prep is PDF based and supports both EFI and Ricoh controllers
Interconnectivity support with other EFI products
Expensive and limited components and support
Not limited to EFI controllers, but good support of both, with K3 coming

18. Multiple component such as Course Pack
Requirements Comparison
Application
Action
TotalFlow Prep
$5,000
JobMaster/ Impose $5000
MicroPress
>$12,000
Multiple component such as Course Pack
Printing
Fiery, GW, GW+, others
Fiery
Fiery/PrintLink
Scanning originals
Direct support in Prep for new job creation.
Similar function
Expensive optional MicroImager
Merge raster and PDF
Supported
PDF not directly supported.
De-skew and de-speckle
Monochrome single bit raster pages only. Manual control is available.
Only MP raster pages except MicroImager. Better granular control.
Tab creation
Powerful new easy tab creation with automatic mode. Two text lines with image.
Two lines of text plus image. Bleed edge tabs supported.
Good tab handling, multibank supported.
Page replacement
Supported with existing scanned pages.
Supported with manual steps
Requires combination of scanning application and TrueEdit.
Native file import
Supported if Acrobat is installed.
Not supported

19. Business document such as Annual Report
Requirements Comparison
Application
Action
TotalFlow Prep
$5,000
JobMaster/ Impose $7000
MicroPress
>$9,000
Business document such as Annual Report
Printing
Fiery, GW, GW+, others
Fiery
Fiery/PrintLink
Chapters
Supported plus easy automation. Rapid indexing for quick viewing.
Supported, but limited.
Supported in raster format only
Media Selection
Automatic import of Fiery Server and GW+ media available for document composition.
Fiery only
Some manual steps required for media configuration
Page range finishing
Supported for Fiery and Ricoh controllers.
Fiery/PrintLink only
Automation
Included hot folders
Extra cost
Included
Magazine / booklet format
Supported directly with automatic imposition
Possible but multiple steps required.
Header and footer or page numbering
Supported

20. Multiple image tasks such as Business Cards
Requirements Comparison
Application
Action
TotalFlow Prep
$5,000
JobMaster/ Impose $7000
MicroPress
>$9,000
Multiple image tasks such as Business Cards
Printing
Fiery, GW, GW+, others
Fiery
Fiery/PrintLink
Repeat Image, Imposition
Easy one click Presets or fully automated operation
Requires Impose, but has good options.
Strong support with templates.
Crop marks
Solid capabilities. Intuitive interface.
Supported with base capabilities.
Supported.
Bleed control
Good granular control over bleed settings. Good initialization
Supported
Supported, but difficult to change.
Automation
Very good Preset control to easily automate repeated requirements, included.
Templates available.
Shell templates
Good options for image overlays and Presets use
Good options
Good options for raster implementation
Media recognition
Automatic media recognition with Fiery servers and GW+ controllers.
Fiery only
Fiery/PrintLink only

21. Competition – Make Ready

22. Schedules
Prep English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Dutch available now
Prep All above plus Japanese – July
Prep and Production Manager Advanced Imposition for Japanese – TBD, but likely late 2016, early 2017
Automation, training, professional services and customizations

23. THANK YOU!