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Summary:
During the eighties, extensive investments in new technology have been made by the graphic arts industry, but the investments have not always given the expected productivity and quality enhancement. The expensive equipment must be used effectively to become both technically and economically profitable. If the different systems of which a modern production plant consists can be linked together, a more homogeneous production environment is obtained. Within the manufacturing industry the development of the CIM-concept (Computer Integrated Manufacture) has resulted in ISO-standards and well functioning production plants. If the different systems of which a modern production plant consists can be linked together, a more homogeneous production environment is obtained. Within the manufacturing industry the development of the CIM-concept (Computer Integrated Manufacture) has resulted in ISO-standards and well functioning production plants. The results presented are based upon literature studies, participation in conferences, supplier contacts, study visits and studies of one gravure printer and two newspapers which in addition to their own paper prints other newspapers and commercial jobs. Company visits and field studies have shown that different company characteristics give rise to different needs of integration. Newspapers which have a tight schedule, need to be quickly notified about delays to be able to re-plan. Newspapers should first invest in automatic production reporting. Gravure printers with a long printing forme manufacture time, have to avoid remakes of the cylinders. Quality assurance is the primary goal, thereafter is electronic transmission of material from prepress to gravure equipment the most important measure. This paper is concluded with a discussion about the general conditions of integrating a company.