• Automated distributed printing solution for digital color and B&W multi-print production environments
• Includes four productivity-enhancing modules: Balance, Build, Scan and Compose
• Allows for the configuration of up to 16 printers (or up to 10 printer groups) from multiple manufacturers
• Intelligent load balancing features such as job routing, redirect-on-error, hot folders and job-splitting cut production times and costs

EFI Balance is a PDF-based printing solution that maximizes productivity in multi- printer environments. It helps customers perform complex job composition and make-ready tasks, manages dissimilar devices from a centralized interface, and shortens document completion time through its ease-of-use and intelligent job routing. It enables an open workflow based on industry- standard PDFs; that gives users greater choice and flexibility in device selection and utilization.

The EFI Balance product suite consists of four software modules—EFI Balance, EFI Build, EFI Compose and EFI Scan. All can be controlled via EFI’s Command WorkStation 4.2 utility (included in the package):

EFI Balance, the primary module, is a powerful print server application that allows you to combine and control workflow on multiple printers, centralize job management, color split, and automate job routing to maximize output and minimize production costs. EFI Balance enables:

• Easy Printer Grouping: Fast and easy set-up and modification of up to 16 printers and 10 groups.
• Hot Folder Submission: "Drag-and-drop" jobs into folders with pre-specified parameters for automated job submittal, processing and finishing. Preconfigured imposition settings save set-up time and automate the printing of recurring jobs.
• Automatic Load Balancing/Smart Routing: Automatically send print jobs to the best available print engine(s), based on the number of pages, media type, media size, and different TCP/IP protocol other criteria.
• Smart Job Splitting: Split a single "long job" across more than one print engine. Or split color from black-and-white pages in the same document.
• Redirect-on-Error: Sends a job to an alternate printer if the current printer is out of paper or toner, or if there is a paper jam
• Preferred Printer Selection: Enables specific device selection within a Printer Group to print a job.
• Custom PostScript Support: Enables universal connectivity for all PostScript Level 3 printers.
• Universal Paper Catalog/Tray Selection: Enables easy selection and optimal utilization of paper supplies and stocks.
• Unified Job Ticketing: Job ticketing that works independent of the device printing the job.

EFI Build is a PDF-based imposition tool that enables full document preparation capabilities for color and black-and-white documents, including the ability to preview, merge, edit and impose documents. With its WYSIWYG interface, EFI Build lets users easily produce precisely imposed documents (such as booklets, brochures and calendars), saving production time and costly print errors. EFI Build provides tools that enable:

• Late-stage PDF editing and previewing
• Merging unlimited jobs from multiple sources, regardless of originating application of platform
• Creation of custom reusable imposition templates can be saved locally and attached to Hot Folders for automated job processing

EFI Compose provides a fully-integrated tool for preparing and composing documents prior to printing. Its user-friendly WYSIWYG interface enables page-level ticketing, providing accurate document preview as well as multiple tools for editing and finishing the document, including:

• Text Editing and Tab Creation/Insertion: Modify and update existing documents quickly and flexibly. Supports tab banks up to 15 cuts and 100 tabs, with up to 2 lines of text per tab. Tabs can be edited, inserted, added, or removed in set-up.
• Navigation Bar: Provides an instant “at-a-glance” document overview. Allows you to easily see inserts, tabs, and chapter starts; set up jobs; obtain media color background information (blue paper tab shows as blue)
• Late-Stage PDF Editing: Minimizes native file re-work; increase job throughput and reduces likelihood of errors.
• Document Soft Viewing: View color pages, chapter starts, and tabs with on-screen WYSIWYG thumbnails. Or see entire documents in single, sheet, or reader’s mode.
• PDF Insertion: Easily import multiple PDF jobs to build documents or booklets.

EFI Scan gives you the ability to easily import paper documents into your digital production workflow. Documents can be scanned in via a TWAIN-complaint scanner, automatically converted to PDF format for editing and sent to the EFI Balance server for electronic copying and processing. Scans can also be imported into EFI Build for merging and imposition with other digital documents. EFI Scan features include:

• Support for color and B&W scanning
• Support for Automatic Document Feeders (ADFs)
• Supports TWAIN and copier scanning
• Simplex and duplex operations
• De-skew/de-speckle capabilities
• Mixed page size scanning - including tabs scanning
• Selectable thumbnail preview or page list
• Image Editing Tools
• Page Editing: Size, Alignment, Add, Remove, Insert, and Move
• Pixel Editing from the EFI Scan User Interface

The benefits of using EFI Balance include:

• Improved productivity: Increase throughput by load balancing jobs across multiple devices. Automatically reroute job run errors to other supported devices. Streamline complex jobs with scripting, tabs, imposition, and mixed media functions
• Control of your workflow: Track, control, and automate jobs from one centralized location. Connect multiple devices regardless of brand. Enable quick decision making and approval process
• Simplified creation of complex documents: Manage tab insertion and tab text editing. View WYSIWYG page displays including media properties, tabs, and inserts. Manage document insertion and job composition.
• Reduced costs: Cut waste in print errors and toner/paper consumption. Use resources and equipment more efficiently.

EFI Balance was designed for use in the following environments:

• High-Volume Production: Facilities with large monthly volumes, particularly those with large numbers of documents with tabs and/or inserts, mixed color + B&W requirements, and multiple production devices from multiple brands.
• Clustered Print Production: Multi-printer environments with smaller monthly volume and speed requirements, particularly those with a mix of jobs consisting of shorter print runs, frequent copy tasks, and sudden on-demand jobs with tight turnaround times
• Graphic Design: Firms and departments with multiple engines and users requiring the ability to produce a large amount of one-off prints and comps, as well as perform short production runs for customers on a large selection of media.

EFI Balance can be used to augment print production operations in a wide number of industries and settings, including:

• In-Plant /Corporate Reprographic Departments
• Quick Print Services/Commercial Printers
• Publishers
• Graphic Designers/Ad Agencies
• Educational Institutions
• Financial Services
• Manufacturing
• Medical/Health Care/Pharmaceutical/Biotech
• Legal
• Transportation

EFI Balance also can be used for a wide variety of print applications, including:

• Correspondence and Stationery
• Newsletters and Direct Mail Pieces
• Business cards
• Reports
• Directories
• Business forms
• Flyers and Brochures
• Charts and Schedules
• Surveys
• Patient billing
• Proposals, Presentations and Charts
• Handbooks and Course packs
• Manuals and Training materials
• Portfolios