“If you’re not learning, you’re not going forward” is the essence of our core value of curiosity at Corbus, and why our team attends conferences like EskoWorld. And this year, we again learned a lot at EskoWorld.

Whether you could not attend or simply have not had time to reflect on your experience at EskoWorld, this is the place for highlights of those three days in Orlando in May. We have distilled our notes and created some informative videos to put all that learning right at your fingertips.

New Features for Esko Users

Esko showcased several new features that leverage the latest in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technologies along with software upgrades and enhanced integration in Automation Engine, WebCenter, DeskPack, ArtPro+ and Flexo. We were excited, too, to introduce GateAgent, our latest web-based solution for Automation Engine. You can learn about these new features by reading on, or watch our video “What’s new in software solutions at Esko?” by clicking here: Corbus EskoWorld 2023 Review

Improvements in Automation Engine improve efficiency and quality control

The newest feature for 2023 is the unified viewer technology which will ensure a document will be viewed the same way in each application and at each stage of the production process and introduces the ability to view CAD and 3D documents directly in the viewer. Now, what you see in Share and Approve, ArtPro Plus, DeskPack, and WebCenter, will be displayed in the Automation Engine Viewer, too.

The integration of Esko Cloud into Automation Engine enables seamless sharing between Automation Engine locations in your company. The Esko Cloud will become the single source of truth for all needed resources for Automation Engine. Jobs, products, and tickets can be stored in the Esko Cloud, and eventually CMS, SmartMarks, and other workflow-solution resources will move to the cloud.

New for Automation Engine from Corbus: GateAgent

As a software and system integrator and authorized dealer of Esko software, we were excited to introduce GateAgent at EskoWorld. Developed to improve the Automation Engine user-experience and ease pain points for customer service representatives (CSR’s) and salespeople, GateAgent enables shops to move jobs more efficiently by:

• A simple wizard-based job creation approach to simplify the process and the Pilot interface for the CSR user.
• A secure tunnel enabled by Corbus technology to exist between our data center and the customer’s on-premise Automation Engine which means users can securely access Automation Engine outside of a corporate LAN.
• Multi-job creation feature from a single upload of an Excel spreadsheet (template included in GateAgent menu). Our advanced programming and workflow creation allows your team to focus on customers rather than entering jobs one-by-one.
• Visibility into Automation Engine to allow CSR’s, sales, and management to see where jobs are in the process.

Contact a Corbus representative at onecall@corbus.com to learn more about GateAgent and how we can help you achieve next-level prepress automation.

Complementary Level of Share and Approve is budget friendly

For users tired of the per-click charge for file sharing and approvals, Esko now offers a complementary level of Share and Approve, which includes 5 GBs of data storage and 50 free approval cycles. Ideal for smaller users, this approval technology will change the way approval and file sharing can be handled within the Esko tools such as Pilot, DeskPack, and ArtPro Plus and externally via a web interface.

Migration to PDF Plus simplifies file management and ensures file integrity

The certification of ISO 19593 and ISO 32000-2 means the world is moving away from older versions of the PDF specification and the use of normalized PDFs in Esko products is coming to an end. Esko introduced a new engine created for ArtPro Plus that natively supports the new PDF+ standards that replaces the BRIX engine used in most Esko tools. Managing file types is simplified, and needing to rewrite the PDF to include prepress data used in packaging and label workflows is reduced.

Updates to WebCenter enhance workflow visibility and project consistency

If you are not using dashboards today, you will be soon. Each new version of Esko WebCenter adds new features and increases your ability to use their dashboards through modern interfaces. Several sessions at EskoWorld 2023 covered dashboards including creating dashboards, using JavaScript in dashboards, and using dashboards to control the look and feel of WebCenter projects.

Esko reported that WebCenter workflow engine is also getting an overhaul. They have increased the node throughput, added support for external API connections and multi-column list lookups in SmartNames and JavaScript, and designed a more flexible Invite Members node. Other WebCenter SaaS-only features include deep zoom in the unified viewer and file-type conversions node for workflows. All designed to streamline the work and consistently deliver.

Integration of Tilia Labs technology is underway

Esko recently acquired Tilia Labs which specialized in AI-driven prepress software for planning, imposition, and automation of applications. The integration of Tilia technology promises to take cost-efficiency and automation to the next level. For example, Esko has included the native use of ARD and MFG files for packaging layouts and is expected to add Phoenix API which will use AI to create effective and efficient layouts based on your equipment and processes.

Corbus answers the 7 most frequently asked questions at EskoWorld 2023.

While we were visiting with Esko users like you at EskoWorld, we heard a lot of great questions while learning more about your needs. Read on for our answers to those questions or watch our video, “Most common questions asked at EskoWorld 2023” by clicking here: Corbus Questions

• How do I extract more value from my software investment?

  A chief complaint in most shops and an area where the experts at Corbus can help. We first discuss your goals and expectations for Esko and complementary software, review how you are currently using it, and identify your frustrations. Then we develop and implement solutions that address these goals and challenges, whether it’s activating features, integrating systems, or retraining your team.

• I need help clearly defining a process map.

  Identifying where you want to go can be a challenge in itself — most people often respond with “I don’t know what I don’t know.” We can help clarify your current process, help you see things you might not have recognized, and then plot a course to help you get where you need to be.

• How can I improve connectivity and integration of my systems?

  It begins with an audit of the current state and a clear picture of your desired future state. Then design, build or connect, test and then train. Our experienced team of solutions architects and developers will evaluate your current platforms and systems and identify a plan for streamlining and integrating your systems. We then implement the integration and provide ongoing support to ensure you’re achieving the desired level of connectivity and integration as your business grows, systems or updated, or new technology emerges.

• How do I manage and streamline processes such as artwork management or workflows?

  Managing artwork and workflows, from inception to execution is a task that requires knowledge and experience to not only maintain the workflow, but also how to keep them organized and proficient at what they are supposed to do and not let them become bloated with too many exceptions, rules or scenarios. Workflows should also be documented to keep them up to date. Let the experts at Corbus help you streamline your processes.

• How can we integrate newer technologies, such as the cloud or digital printing, into our system?

  Interested in putting your system into a SaaS environment, the Cloud or other new technology? We have the expertise, resources and experience to help plan and execute a process to meet your business requirements.

• How can I access the expertise to answer our questions and support our team?

  Let’s schedule some time to talk about the types of questions and support that you and your team need. Then, we can introduce you to the right subject matter experts who will listen, provide answers, and help you create and implement solutions that achieve your goals and solve your customers’ needs. We will also determine the right cadence and levels of ongoing support for your team.

• Who is Corbus and how can you help me?

  Corbus is an authorized Esko dealer who can you help explore and find solutions to extract more value from your software, streamline systems, or answer your most challenging questions. We hire some of the strongest architects in the Esko-sphere who are backed by an army of custom developers who can quickly craft solutions when others tell you it’s not possible. Corbus also brings industry experts to assist you in integrating newer technologies. Contact us today at OneCall@corbus.com or +1-888-608-9975 to find out why our clients say it’s One Call. Infinite Possibilities. when working with Corbus.

A quick summary of topics covered at EskoWorld

Automation Engine

• Artificial Intelligence
  • Use of AI to track common plate and art
  • Use of AI for workflow documentation.
• Esko Cloud Single becoming single point of truth for workflows, icpro’s, etc.
• New tools and features available only in Automation Engine SaaS
  • Transfer files to 3rd party in a Workflow
  • Syncer
    • Keeps files synced while working on a local cached version
    • Provides interaction at near LAN speeds
  • Standardization through centralization of assets
  • Infrastructure through partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS)
    • Esko manages hardware and software updates through AWS
    • AWS maintains multiple certifications for security

WebCenter Best Practices

• Ensure a stable build that can be understood by all users
• User management and named licensing should be one-to-one
• Three guaranteed sessions are equal to one license
• Set up project templates for consistency
• Use consistent prefix on attributes for easier filtering
• Minimize loops in workflow construction. Use canvas labels

DeskPack In Plus Mode

• Share and Approve connector
  • Connects prepress to customers
  • Share and request approvals within the Illustrator interface
• PDF Plus
  • PDF Plus format is ISO certified
  • PDF Plus uses processing steps for non-printing separations
  • Processing steps added in ink manager
  • Screen sets for object-based screening can be set up in Illustrator
  • Text recognition to convert outlined copy to live text
  • BoostX plugin has Add Bleed functionality to add missing bleed to “Cutting” processing step

ArtPro Plus and Flexo Tools: Plate ID

• Simplifies identification of the plates.
• Exposes the ID at 40% of the plate relief.
• Plate IDs can be added to dynamic mark sets.
• Plate ID task can be added to workflows.
• Automatically positions plate ID in void areas of the plate.

Let’s keep the learning and conversations going.

This is a wrap for EskoWorld 2023 from Corbus. It was three info-packed days of learning and connecting. We’re excited about continuing conversations or starting new ones – contact us at OneCall@corbus.com or +1-888-608-9975 to schedule a call to discover the infinite possibilities of working with Corbus.

If we didn’t get to see you this year, we hope we’ll connect next year at Esko World 2024. In the meantime, let’s all keep learning and going forward.