Hardware requirements can vary significantly between labeling, folding carton, corrugated packaging, textile, and large-format printing. For example, we recommend at least 12 CPU cores for Variable Data Printing, whereas controlling large-format printers may require only 4 CPU cores if fewer parallel processes are involved. The hardware requirements listed below should therefore be understood only as rough guidelines for a minimum configuration.

As a general rule, as with any other software:  

• More powerful hardware results in shorter processing times. However, this principle cannot be scaled up indefinitely, as beyond a certain configuration additional investments result only in minimal performance improvements.
• Faster processors increase the RIP speed.
• Large-format print data require more memory (RAM).
• Variable Data Printing requires more render instances in combination with a corresponding number of CPU cores.
• Parallel processing of multiple print jobs –  such as Data Checking, Data Preparation, Imposition, and RIPping – requires more memory, more CPU cores, and potentially additional render instances.
• RIP performance can be distributed and scaled by allocating computing power to render satellites installed on separate hardware systems.

The minimum requirements for operating the Workflow must be considerd as described below.

The application data should be backed up regularly, ideally on a daily basis. Include the following directories and files in your backup strategy:

Table 1: Overview of the directories to be backed up on the application server

For more information, refer to the Article Backup and Recovery.

The use of antivirus software is strongly recommend, although this may result in performance degradation. For this reason, we recommend excluding the following paths (typically located under D:\PMS_DATA\) from real-time scanning:

\PMS_DATA\FileManagement 

\PMS_DATA\LOG

\PMS_DATA\ZuniComm

If necessary, C:\Program Files\PPD should also be excluded.

For more information, refer to the section Set Exceptions in the Virus Scanner.

In principle, the application can be used on all end devices (PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) that have a modern browser. Since the application is a browser-based software solution, there are no particularly high hardware requirements for the user's system. However, an up-to-date version of the Google Chrome browser must be installed in all cases.

In addition to the main browser application, the following additional programs should be installed on the user's system, provided they are available for the device:

• PDF reader – as PDF files are currently the primary format being processed, we recommend installing a PDF reader that meets the requirements of the graphic art industry. The current version of Acrobat Reader – or the full version Adobe Acrobat DC – are suitable software packages.
• callas pdfToolbox – if you want to create custom Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates, you also need the pdfToolbox from callas sofware. A trial version, which allows you to create, import, and export  Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates as well as open PDF files, is available for download from callas software. The created Check-in Preflight and Fixup Profiles can be exported from pdfToolbox and then imported into the application together with and additional file for use.
• PDF Editor – if you need to analyze and edit PDF files, you require the desktop application PDF Editor, which provides an interface to the Worflow for direct access to the data. For more information on the PDF Editor, refer to the Article PDF Editor – Introduction and Support.

Each substrate must be measured spectrally in order to create color profiles – a description of the color gamut of the machine, ink, print, and substrate combination. To generate the required measurement data, measurement devices must be operated. The following measurement devices are supported:

• Barbieri Electronics
  • Spectro LFP Series 1
  • Spectro LFP Series 2
  • Spectro LFP Series 3
  • Spectro Swing RT
  • SpectroPad
  • Spectro LFP qb (auto measurement)
  • Spectro LFP qb (spot measurement)
  • Spectro SwingQB
• X-Rite
  • i1iO with i1Pro
  • i1Pro1
  • i1iO with i1Pro2
  • i1Pro2
  • 1iO3 with i1Pro3
  • 1iPro3
  • i1iO3 with i1Pro3 Plus
  • i1Pro3 Plus
• Konica Minolta
  • MYIRO-9
  • CM-2300d
  • ColorScout
• Techkon
  • SpectroDens

If cutting information needs to be transmitted to plotters or laser cutter devices, the application must be aware of the procedure for controlling the cutter device. From within the application, various cutter and laser cutter devices from manufacturers such as Zünd, Bullmer, Esko, SEI, MCT, and Spartanics can be operated. Whether an existing cutter device can be controlled primarily depends on the software used for the cutting plotter or the associated operating mode – online or offline.

Always verify in advance whether your cutter device is supported by the application in conjunction with the software being used. Integration of additional or newer versions of cutter devices can generally be provided very quickly, provided the corresponding manufacturer specifications are available. A highly effective method is available for almost all cutter devices via the function PDF cutter, which allows PDF files, including cutting information, to be provided in a predefined color or on a predefined layer.

To ensure smooth operation of the Workflow, we recommend keeping your printer software up-to-date at all times. Support of additional printers is continuously being expanded. For inquiries regarding the support of other printing systems, please contact your dealer directly.