Kodak has announced that it is bringing artificial intelligence (AI) techniques into its Prinergy workflow through an agreement with German software developer Perfect Pattern.

Under a licensing deal, Kodak will take the source code from Perfect Pattern’s sPrint One print production planning software and will further develop the version of sPrint One used in the Prinergy on Demand workflow. Kodak and Perfect Pattern began a partnership four years ago, announced at drupa 2016. sPrint One manages production planning in multiple-press sites including both digital and offset presses and can react to changing deadlines, machine availability, material requirements and cost restrictions or targets using AI techniques.

The new licensing will allow Kodak to more tightly integrate sPrint One’s functionality into Prinergy for more streamlined job preparation; it is already the engine for Kodak’s optional Dynamic Print Planning Service for automatic job ganging and press planning. The closer integration into the core Prinergy on Demand workflow offering will achieve greater automation, improved production efficiency and hence lower production and materials costs to boost profitability, Kodak said.

‘This step will enable Prinergy on Demand to utilise innovative AI technology more easily and more directly than ever by providing an integrated platform with Industry 4.0 and automation features unmatched throughout the printing industry,’ commented Todd Bigger, vice president, software, Kodak Print Division. ‘At the same time, it will strengthen Kodak’s portfolio of high performance, cloud-based workflow solutions, which printers can tailor precisely to their unique needs.’