September 2009 JDF Marketplace - CIP4

Introduction
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These ICS documents defi ne the roles of the “manager” and “worker,” including
their ability to read and write JDF options as well as additional
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required support for particular JDF processes and resources. It’s important
to note that ICS documents do not add to the JDF specifi cation, but rather,
they provide additional constrains and a subset of JDF specifi c to the interface
that they defi ne.
ICS documents are used as the basis for certifi cation testing conducted
by PIA/GATF. This JDF Product Certifi cation is well established and printers
should look for ”JDF Certifi ed” logos on certifi ed products. Please visit http://
www.cip4.org/certifi cation/intro.php for a complete description of the certifi
cation process and for a list of certifi ed products.
The Four Main Functions of JDF
JDF has four main functions. First, it provides a single common language
that supports the lifecycle of a print job. This is what people mean when they
refer to JDF as a “Job Ticket” language, but it is much more than that. The second
function is to provide a command and control language for devices on
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and many folks talk about JMF almost as if it is a separate specifi cation, but
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process automated environment to tell a device to start and stop jobs, reor-
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ration of plant automation and job production.
The fourth main function was added to JDF 1.2 and that is automating the
handshake, which is accomplished with device capabilities functionality.
For instance, in JDF there are fi ve staple folds that a stitcher may use. If a
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MIS system must know which of those fi ve folds the new stitcher supports.
Communicating the set of JDF elements and attributes supported by a
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JDF Staple Folds
Device capabilities allow JDF 1.2 capable devices to be automatically queried for
the details of what aspects of JDF they can and cannot manage. This is an important
step towards total “plug-and-play” interoperability.
The Role of JDF as a “Job Ticket Format”
The analog version of a job ticket may be an envelope or folder with routing
information that contains instructions and specifi cations about a job. It may
start in sales with customer and purchase information, and progress through
Introduction
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