PDQ goes JDF
Increasing demand for connectivity drives PDQ's JDF evolution
What do you do when you have possibly the best estimating solution around, but it doesn't connect to other incumbent systems? Answer: you write a JDF-friendly xml file output that can be mapped to your partners systems. But wait, what do you do if these vendors are fully JDF compliant and want your xml file to be true JDF, not just 'JDF friendly'? Answer: you re-write your xml file to be JDF compatible. Simples!
From the very first time that PDQ was placed into the hustle and bustle of our printing customers, the requests for connectivity to their incumbent MIS began. Although not required to be connected to any system to provide our service, we believe that responding to customer needs and desires is one of the keys to being a successful company. As such, Haybrooke Associates have taken the step to completely reprogram its xml file output to become truly JDF compatible. This is no mean task and will make PDQ the first product of its kind to sit above MIS in the CIP4 JDF schema.
So what is JDF? The CIP4 website sums it up as follows:
"JDF is based in the Extensible Markup Language (XML), but not entirely. XML was selected as the underlying standard language for JDF because it is already a widely recognized language and is a standard... XML provides rules of syntax and default data types; however, XML alone is not enough.... JDF is based on the Worldwide Web Consortium’s (W3C) XML Schema Recommendation. By using a schema, JDF allows for validation (think preflighting, but for metadata) and allows CIP4 to create user defined data types, (ex. “Rectangle” or “Matrix” as used in transforms, or “NamedColor”). The JDF Specification also provides specifications for file naming (e.g., URL/URI usage for hot folder exchange) and methods for packing JDF and content files together in MIME Multipart Messages."
In other words, it allows two disconnected systems to communicate with one another (why didn't they just say that!) We have already agreed with one major MIS vendor to connect our products via the JDF link, the details of which will be released soon.
Superior solution for Superior printers
Creative powerhouse, Superior, sign up to PDQ
Deep down in Wiltshire operates a company of sublime flair and creative prowess. Superior provide special, cost-effective solutions in design, marketing and print, for companies near and far, local and national. Their unique structure allows them to pick the precise mix that meets its customers requirements, from a wide range of in-house services, that includes creative design, digital and litho print - including wide format, fulfillment, cardboard engineering and POS. A dedicated account manager looks after each client and, with the introduction of PDQ, each RFQ is guaranteed to be returned speedily and on time.
"We met Superior through our involvement with iPPSA" says John Roche "and Ian O'Connor [Superior's MD] was instantly interested in using the software in house. The implementation has taken an awful lot of thought as their company has such a wide range of production methods, but we eventually got there! It goes without saying that we are very proud to be involved with such a forward thinking and creative company".
Barry Grindrod appointed as Haybrooke's Sales & Marketing Director
IT and telecommunications specialist, Barry Grindrod, joins our team
Barry Grindrod - or 'Mr G' to his friends and colleagues - has joined Haybrooke Associates as its Sales and Marketing Director. Formerly of Mercury Communications and Energis, Barry is a corporate sales and marketing professional with extensive experience focusing on business to business selling, primarily to large companies, in both existing customer and new business roles across various enterprise and public sector markets.
Bruce McKenzie-Boyle, former colleague of Barry at Vialtus Solutions says of him "Barry is a seasoned professional who knows exactly what to do, and then gets on with it. He creates excellent customer relationships, drives the business to deliver a class of service commensurate with the customers expectations and having done that, proceeds to develop the business to the benefit of both the customer and the company". Colleague Alun Lewis, also formerly of Vialtus agrees, adding "Barry is the consummate Sales Manager. I have had the privilege of working with and for Barry many times over the past twenty years. His professionalism and tenacity have been an inspiration".
Crafty Fox Print bring estimating up to speed
Environmental specialist, Fox Print, go for green firepower!
Based in Shepshed, Leicestershire, Fox Print are an unassuming bunch. Tucked away in the back streets of a quiet trading estate, you might hardly notice they were there, but its customers sure do! Building upon an enviable reputation for quality and service, the B3 and digital small volume outfit now places the environment at the top of their priority list and have gone to great lengths to 'go green'. With a raft of initiatives already in place, it was a natural evolution of its estimating function to need to know the carbon footprint of each and every quote - and every process used in the making of a product.
"PDQ gives us this information and in doing so will give us the edge" commented Gavin Wells, Fox Print's MD, "We lost a member of our estimating staff recently and had a stark choice to make: replace them, of replace our estimating system with a solution that allows us to do more quotes with a man down - and that is exactly what we did". Philip Roe, Haybrooke's Operations Director, who opened the account, said, "I am really pleased for Fox Print as we all know what it's like to be a small printer in the industry at the moment. Our software will help them to stand out from the competition and give them the edge they deserve".
Philip Roe promoted to Haybrooke's Op's Director
Roe charged with making PDQ market leader within 2 years
Philip Roe, who joined Haybrooke Associates last year as Client Services Director, has been promoted to the position of the company's Operations Director. Phil has shown an amazing appetite for his role and enthusiasm for the company's products - in particular PDQ - and has, for his efforts, now been charged with the responsibility of making Haybrooke the market leading estimating and online solutions provider within the next two years.
John Roche, Haybrooke's MD, commenting on the promotion, said "Philip Roe is one of the most enthusiastic, energetic, 'glass-is-full' people I have ever met. He has brought an amazing depth and quality to our organisation and his professionalism is second to none. I feel very privileged to be able to give Phil the type of opportunity that I know he will squeeze every ounce of success from and in doing so help us to thrive and grow as a young and entrepreneurial organisation".
Philip said of the promotion "I am having so much fun working at Haybrooke. It's software products are amazing and it has become a catchphrase in the office already when I pipe up 'we are the next big thing in print' - but we are! - and I can't wait to help us fulfill our collective potential".
C&R take PDQ following successful DM set up
C&R follow in the footsteps of sister company FastAnt
C&R Printing Services, based in Leicester, have followed in the footsteps of Print People Group company, FastAnt, and invested in PDQ for all their print estimating requirements. FastAnt, the direct mail specialist within the group, had put PDQ to one of its sternest tests in accommodating the nuances of a direct mail environment. Inevitably the software shone through, and it prompted the full-colour B2 litho printers to follow in its sisters footsteps. John Roche, Haybrooke's MD commented, "the set up at FastAnt was by no means straight forward, but a successful outcome, we felt, was always inevitable. We are very pleased that this has given C&R the confidence to move forward with our product and look forward to helping them gain a competitive edge in today's tough economic climate".
FM Print go carbon crazy with PDQ
Basildon based FM tap into PDQ's environmental credentials
FM Print, based in Basildon, Essex, have rolled out PDQ to its commercial staff and estimators in an attempt to answer all of its estimating enquiries within a few minutes - but with an eye firmly on the environmental cost. Already a bona fide model of an environmental company, the high quality B2 set up have made it a priority to provide its customers with as much information about the cost to the environment as possible, in keeping with their strong sense of business ethics. PDQ delivers a CO2 footprint for every conceivable production method for FM and even calculates the cost to make a job carbon neutral
In a recent site visit, the only complaint following the installation was that PDQ was helping attract so many new enquiries, the company would not now be able to cope without the software! One might say, a real 'win win' for both FM and Haybrooke.
Simpson invest in PDQ
T&W and Heathrow based Simpson choose PDQ for POS
Simpson Group, whose head office is based in Washington, Tyne and Wear, have chosen PDQ to become their estimating standard and will become the software's first all-POS user. Philip Roe, Haybrooke's CSD, said "we have plenty of customers who have small elements of POS in their businesses, but Simpson is the first PDQ user where all the processes are point of sale, which makes this quite a first for us - but I'm sure it won't be the last". The Simpson Group has a turnover approaching £20 million and possesses wide format litho, large format silk screen, and wide format digital. It also has various laminating and die cutting plant.
Bill McNally, Simpson's MD, says that its incumbent MIS was slow and getting out the volumes of quotes was becoming an issue. Because PDQ is one of the very few expert systems that can handle POS, it ultimately became the only serious option for Simpson after it had researched the market for a suitable replacement system last year.
FastAnt take PDQ
Leicester based FastAnt put PDQ to the test on direct mail
FastAnt, part of the Print People Group, that also includes Taylor Bloxham and C&R Printing Services, have taken on PDQ to test the software in a busy Direct Mail environment. John Roche, Haybrooke's MD, said he was delighted that PDQ had its first 'real' direct mail house and was eager to put it to the test in this challenging environment "PDQ is not just for sheet fed and digital printing presses - far from it. We have a framework built into the software that allows us to create virtually any manufacturing process. We could even set up a golf ball manufacturing machine or a plastic extrusion process if we really wanted to, so direct mail will not be a problem!"
Matthew Wennington, PPG's Technical Director, said he was looking forward to putting PDQ through its paces in his environment. He also hinted that PDQ might become the groups de facto estimating system if it can prove its worth in the DM facility. Roche added to this "we know we have to get this installation right to open up the prospect of the PP Group, but we are very confident we can do this and we will be working very hard to make sure FastAnt get the full benefits of our system as soon as possible."
Haybrooke appoints Philip Roe as CSD
Former Tharstern man is Haybrooke's latest key appointment
Philip Roe, former senior consultant at Tharstern Ltd, has been appointed as Haybrooke Associates Client Services Director.
Phil, who has been involved in and around the printing industry all his working life, most notably at Sterling Press, Central Colour and Midland Regional Printers, and, more recently, offering support and consultancy to Tharstern's MIS users, has been given a brief to develop the range of products and services offered to Haybrooke's clients whilst helping in the implementation of its core software product, PDQ.
Haybrooke's Managing Director, John Roche, said of the appointment "Phil Roe is well known and respected throughout the industry and is a welcome addition to our small but rapidly expanding team. Given that the rest of MIS seems to be contracting at the moment, we are proud to offer a contradiction to the industry".
Roe echoed these sentiments adding "Haybrooke has one of the few genuinely unique product offerings in MIS and I was very keen to become involved with PDQ. I had heard a lot of whispers about it in the industry and when I first saw the product I instantly knew that the hype was all true". Further explaining his motivation to take up his senior role within Haybrooke, Phil added "There is no doubt that so-called 'expert estimating systems' - the ability to provide instant quotes without any estimating knowledge - is one of the few remaining growth areas of MIS. Haybrooke's solution, PDQ, is probably the most powerful in the market today and I am therefore very pleased to offer my expertise in helping the product to reach its full potential."
Alderson Print Group take on PDQ
Hampton based print Group take on PDQ to speed up response times
£25 million turnover web and sheet fed printer, Alderson Print Group, based in Hampton, Greater London, have ordered Haybrooke's instant estimating software, PDQ. Andy Cuff, Alderson's joint MD, was recommended the software by one of his biggest clients, nPower, courtesy of its print procurement manager, Jeff Richards. Upon seeing PDQ in action for the first time, he remarked "it is better than Jeff said it would be - absolutely brilliant".
Alderson's other clients include British Gas, the BBC and Ralph Lauren.
Eclipse Colour roll out PDQ
Northants based Eclipse Colour roll out PDQ following a successful trial
£14 million turnover web and sheet fed printer, Eclipse Colour Print, based in Kettering, Northants, have rolled out Haybrooke's instant estimating software, PDQ, to all its estimating, commercial and sales staff, following a successful trial of the software. Haybrooke's managing director, John Roche, was confident that the trial would be successful - "We have deployed PDQ on trial several times before with our prospective customers and the outcome has always been 100% positive. I would actively encourage any printer who is considering an instant estimating solution to contact me for details of how they can try it too".
Simon Moore, Eclipse's Managing Director added: "PDQ certainly lives up to its name, it is pretty damn quick! We monitor our response to enquiries on a daily basis, and report on it weekly at management meetings and we had noticed that we were struggling to handle the increased amount of print enquiries and tenders that were being sent in by our customers and prospects. We have worked closely with John over the last few months and now have a quick estimating system we can use with confidence. Since running with PDQ alongside our current estimating system we have had no late quotes for over 2 months".
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