2nd January 2007

News Stream Ltd, part of the Mullis Morgan Group, provides a time-critical outsourced advertisement copy-chasing and digital file reception, checking and delivery service for all of News International's range of leading titles including The Times; The Sun; News of the World; The Times Literary Supplement; The London Paper; Love It! and INSIDEout.

Explains David Rolfe, managing director, News Stream: "The newspaper and magazine industries are extremely time-sensitive and as an outsourced partner there is considerable pressure on us to ensure digital files for advertisements are provided to News International consistently, quickly and as cost-effectively as possible. News Stream initially installed the DevZeroG PrintSure file delivery workflow solution early in 2006 to manage ads on The Times Literary Supplement. Since then, News Stream has rolled out the solution right across all the News International titles, and it now operates as one of only two exclusive file delivery solutions for all advertising in this range of publications."

DevZeroG PrintSure is a real-time 'check then send' production system for automated, speed-driven job receipt, ad delivery, PDF preflight and uploading of documents directly to a server. DevZeroG PrintSure streamlines the processes of job booking, asset submission, internal job routing and workflow integration, tracking, customer relationship management, production and billing. A real benefit of DevZeroG PrintSure is its ability to work alongside other systems - both new and existing - from small bespoke solutions to top commercial printing workflows, integrating with them or standing on its own, to help preserve existing investments.

Continues Rolfe: "Prior to the file delivery service going completely digital three years ago, we received files either via courier or down an ISDN line. One of the major problems with these methods was that they were slow and there was no control over what was being sent. There are a number of significant advantages to the DevZeroG PrintSure workflow solution that helps it to stand apart from other solutions we have seen. The first is that DevZeroG PrintSure enables instantaneous point-to-point delivery of files. As we manage the delivery servers ourselves, we also maintain complete control over the delivery process - in other words we know when a file has been sent and has arrived.

"The fact that advertisers can upload and deliver their ads to us for free, rather than paying a 'per file' delivery charge is also great, as it helps to encourage News International's ongoing relationship with its customers, as they don't have to pay for the delivery as well as the placement of the ad itself. In addition, as each file is checked at the point the customer uploads the document; it means we are consistently receiving files that are ready for processing, rather than us having to go back to the customer to ask them to amend files if they are incorrect."

"DevZeroG's solution is, in essence, about providing safeguards right through the process," says Mr Rolfe. "The more corrections made at the customer's end, the smoother the delivery process is, and each file can then be converted and sent to print much more efficiently. We have to play a delicate balancing act between the need to have each edition of each newspaper out on time, and ensuring that the advertiser's requirements are also always met. It can be very touch-and-go, so having a file transfer solution that automatically checks and identifies potential problems at the source or 'client-end', is critical to ensuring the files we receive are correct and ready to go."

DevZeroG PrintSure optimises job collection by standardising the way jobs are checked and delivered, saving organisations both time and costs. Valuable production time can also be saved as costly mistakes can be detected early on in the process - 'upstream', before they cut into deadlines; ensuring jobs are completed on time. The time consuming, ongoing sending and receiving of files between the customer and the supplier is eliminated as there is no asynchronous communication, only real-time processing.

DevZeroG PrintSure has a superior Ghent PDF Workgroup compliant pre-flight engine that has been designed to highlight errors within the PDF graphically, so the location of the problem can be found immediately. Files can undergo over 150 advanced individual checks, but more importantly DevZeroG PrintSure can perform up to 55 automated fixes to help ensure that by the time it reaches the production workflow it is ready.

Continues David: "We have also developed a DevZeroG PrintSure online registration system for new users via our website so new customers can quickly and easily download DevZeroG PrintSure onto their systems for future jobs, using the unique DevZeroG 100% Web Installer. At News Stream, we currently have in excess of 400 unique users of the DevZeroG PrintSure workflow solution, including leading ad and design agencies, repro houses and individual suppliers, from whom we are receiving hundreds of files a month. DevZeroG PrintSure as a technology is exceptionally easily for the customer to use. As DevZeroG PrintSure is a simple 'drag and drop' file upload solution, it is my view that anyone that has the capacity to produce an ad has the capacity to use DevZeroG PrintSure."

DevZeroG PrintSure allows job submission in two distinct ways: occasional customers can use an applet and submit jobs simply through any web browser; more regular customers can use the client software. The installation of this desktop client is 100% web-based and requires technical involvement of the customer. Because of this direct connection between creation and production, DevZeroG PrintSure makes sure every customer always uses the latest pre-flight profiles and settings, before uploading the job.

However, for any organisation, it's about more than just good technology. Companies need to have a supplier they can call on for service, support and consultancy at critical times. "I have been consistently impressed with the service and support we have received from DevZeroG," concludes Mr Rolfe. "It is an extremely responsive company. We have made a number of requests for the bespoke customisation of DevZeroG PrintSure to suit our specific needs, and these have always been taken on board and achieved very quickly. It's clear that behind this great technology is a company with a real commitment and focus on strong customer service."