Preps 6.0 = A HOLE IN THE WATER!!!!!!

[kostisf]

Many Preps users, including me, here and in other forums, were expecting from Kodak the evolution of Preps 6.
We were expecting a more friendly to user application with the minimum of steps to create an imposition.
Maybe software engineers in Kodak didn't pay any attention to many requests of Preps users.
The result of this "evolution"?
As a member said: My wife works with Signa and when I showed her the Preps she asked:
is this a kind of BAD JOKE!!? My opinion is that this is not an evolution but a back evolution, a regression.
Preps 6.0 is more complicated and not friendly to user now. To learn working with Preps 6.0
someone has to start from zero spending much more time than he spent to learn the old Preps.

What is the easiest way to learn that 1+1+1=3
This ((5*4)/2)-((3*3)-2)=3 or this 1+1+1=3

What users need is a Preps so easy to use even by a 5 years old child, a Preps that user can:

1. Create a new file list to add the files.
2. Create a new template or open an old one with the same binding style.
3. Print or save the imposed job as a PDF file for late use.

Can you there in Kodak do this? Can you make Preps do a job in a few steps?

If NOT, then as john.och, member in this forum said: THE UPGRADE IS USELESS FOR OUR WORKFLOW.

[brian.cupp]

Preps 6.0 is such a drastic change that IF we switch to it, we will need to retrain all of our users on how to use the software.

Then I also find out that Preps 6.0 will only impose PDF's. We are not on a PDF workflow at this time but are in the process of looking at them. To me it looks like Kodak has geared Preps 6.0 towards Printergy users and they don't care about the rest of us.

When we decide to upgrade our imposition software. We will look at all the imposition software applications available, not just Preps, unfortunately.

[smadden]

We have the same issue with this so called new software!!!

First, we are not a pdf workflow. We use links from Nexus.

Second, we would have to retrain all of our staff to use this new complicated program.

Third, we get lots of reprints and the software does not work on our old jobs. (link jobs).

[Rob Robinson]

It is my understanding the new Preps was rebuilt from the ground up. This is way overdue and is absolutely necessary for Kodak to remain in the game at all. It's a different world from when Preps had little or no competition.

For many years I have marveled over the fact that Preps remained the same with no real improvements or changes for so long. I know many felt the same as I did. Therefore I welcome this effort from Kodak to re-invent the wheel.

If the previous version of Preps suits your needs, stay with it. Time, training and research are always a part of a developing company - if you can still make money with what you have then don't fix it.

For the rest of us that drop a pint of blood every day trying to reinvent ourselves to stay in business this is a welcome change. As with all new software it will improve with updates over time.

[cmcguire]

From what I am reading here, the complaints seem to be from people using Preps in a non-Prinergy, non-PDF workflow. What about Preps 6 with Prinergy/PDF workflow.
I am a prepress systems admin with several full time users, so I need to know something of how an app works and how to use it. To me Preps has always been "klunky" at best, and not particularly friendly, especially on a Mac.
We are using Prinergy 4.1.2.3 in a PDF workflow. So how is the new Preps for other Prinergy users?I would like to hear from Prinergy users regarding Preps 6. Is it more Prinergy friendly? Is it more Mac user friendly? Is it worth the time and effort to upgrade?

[digital@sig-1.com]

My wife works with Signa...
Having worked with Signa briefly about 6 years ago, let me offer my apologies. Of all the systems I have worked with, Signa is the worst.

Then I also find out that Preps 6.0 will only impose PDF's.I haven't heard from any Rampage users. We utilize fpos for placement in Preps. Using pdfs is worthless, because we have no way to trap the files. If we utilize a trapped pdf export from Rampage, it defeats the fpo/small file size convenience factor, plus it adds extra steps.

Attn:Preps developers: Please do not alienate your other users and go back to allowing fpo run lists. I know Preps 6 is only Beta testing, but this is the feedback you need to hear to maintain a quality product!
________
Honda VTX1800N (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Honda_VTX1800N)

[jamie.stotz]

Can Nexus and Rampage use low res PDFs as their FPO files? If so, then there shouldn't be a problem.

[edwarde]

It appears to me that one of the main reasons Preps had such great success, was it was applicable across many types of rips and everyone could basically use it no matter what type of system they were using. If Kodak attempts to force migrate alternate workflows to a Preps/Prinergy system. Kodak may just find out how many other systems are still out there.

[MWilsonfdr]

Sad to hear, but glad to hear, that I'm not the only one. We were invited to Beta test Preps 6.0. Forget about Bug Reports, I'm still trying to figure out how it's supposed to work. Existing Preps versions have a File List, a Run List, and a Signature list. Quite Simple. Preps 6, not so simple. And it was, at this point, to be tested as a stand-alone product, so I don't really know how it will configure with Prinergy.

At least in the near future, I hope we can upgrade Prinergy without upgrading to Preps 6. It may be that it will someday enhance our automation opportunities, but right now.... I hope it stays in Beta till the get it right. And simple.

And it would be great if the offered some training, being that it is so very different. We are a small shop and we don't have alot of hours to dig into this like we would need to. Training would be a good boost.

Just my two cents...

[brian.cupp]

I am surprised no one from the Preps team has commented on this topic. It would be good to hear from them.

[kostisf]

I am surprised no one from the Preps team has commented on this topic. It would be good to hear from them.

I'm surprised too but there must be some explanations for this.
1. Maybe they don't care about our comments or requests, because they think that what they created is a masterpiece.
Have anyone seen, at least one of your requests to be added to Preps 6.0?
2. They are waiting for more reactions.
3. They are trying to find out the appropriate words to justify for their masterpiece.

I understand that my words are too hard, but if you don't shout loud no one will hear you.
I hope someone there in Kodak to pay more attention now!!!

[Prepress Pro1]

I started beta testing 6 and I'm on Prinergy Evo 5. I just don't get the whole interface yet. I may continue to test but only if time allows (not top on my list for sure) and I will not be testing live jobs. To much risk of down time with beta. Seems like they are trying to cater more to a shrinking market of commercial with all the fancy folio features. Also seem to want to move the software up stream in a lot of workflows, where you get new users when estimating can do layouts or moch up layouts before job hits prepress. I have seen Adobe do this and I don't like when a company forsakes its dyed in the wool users to capture a new set of users and tries to be everything to everyone. This program should be about production, faster throughput, shorter cycle times and make the software owner more money.

[landon.voth]

Hello All,

I want to start by thanking you all for posting on the forum because it tells me that you care about the software you are using and how it affects your work. I can assure you that Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Product Managers for each product are watching these forums. We try to let the users discuss and support each other on Kodak products as much as possible in these forums and not to intervene too much as there are support and feedback channels in place for Kodak representatives to be involved. Sometimes the user-to-user discussion is more valuable than our input as you all have the real life use cases that you can share with each other. This is also another way we (Kodak) learn and confirm how our users are using the Preps software today in the many workflows and scenarios out there. This is not the only forum we watch by the way.

I’ll try and address the general comments now, but apologize if I can’t answer every question and comment that has been brought up so far.

The purpose of the public beta was to try and get a wide variety of workflow and imposition type scenarios to test the application with. The public beta feedback channel (Preps6Beta@kodak.com) was in place and monitored regularly to receive feedback in bugs/comments/feature requests and provide guidance on how to use the software. We did receive many feature requests, bugs (many of which are fixed for release), comments and positive feedback. I’m little surprised that some of you regulars (in this thread) did not use this support/feedback channel when testing Preps 6. But nevertheless, you are now talking about it and we are watching. I encourage you to continue to use the above email address to send feedback for the next couple of weeks.

Regarding the target audience of Preps 6, if we were only concerned about moving over non-kodak workflow customers to Kodak, then the Preps 6 application would have never been built, and a full imposition solution would be built into Prinergy. We realize and value that we have a large and dedicated install base with non-Kodak workflows and supporting software.

The Preps Imposition Software is 18 years old. It’s no secret to anyone that the Preps user interface was dated and needed an uplift. We realize that this is a huge change in interface and it might take a bit of time to get familiar with it. There will be computer based training demos and tutorials for release to help users get up to speed as quickly as possible. The standard WebEx training offerings will also be available for those who would like more in-depth and direct training.

How did we get to Preps 6? We took all the Preps user feature requests and started building a model, based on the easy to use interface controls of Preps Ganging? This model was reviewed by a number of customers early on confirming and adjusting our ideas. As the software was becoming usable, we again ran usability tests with customers and making adjustments.

All features that have been added to Preps 6 were requested by users, and we plan to continue listening to our users through all mechanisms and continue improving the software. As Rob Robinson mentions in this thread, “As with all new software it will improve with updates over time.”

For those of you forum visitors interested in a 1 hour demo of new features and Preps 5 vs. 6 job building comparisons, email Preps6Beta@kodak.com. We will set one or two of these up in the next couple of weeks for you to attend.

Again I encourage you to discuss it here, provide feedback at email above, read the documentation and watch for the training videos and material that will be provided with the release.

Best regards,
Landon

[kostisf]

3. They are trying to find out the appropriate words to justify for their masterpiece.

Jackpot!!!!

This will be my last comment here but, Dear Sirs and Ladies there in Kodak try to understand it very well:
Users don't want complicated applications. They want applications easy to understand and with the minimum of steps to finish their jobs.

[landon.voth]

Hi all,

As mentioned in my previous post, i've started a new thread with the Preps 6 Intro WebEx session dates and times here:
http://www.mygua.org/forums/showthread.php?p=18992#post18992

Please contact me through Preps6Beta@kodak.com and i'll send you the invite details.

Thanks,
Landon

[Prepress Pro1]

Thanks, Landon.

I'm hoping the Webex will alleviate at least some of my concerns regarding the GUI. The first thing puzzling to me is how to quickly and easily use a standing templates from previous versions. Hoping the big light bulb appears above my head when I get a little more into the program.

[dnapier]

I don't see my company moving to Preps 6. Frankly, we have operators who would never catch on to it. However, there are improvements Preps 5 users would like to see. Will Kodak keep Preps 5 under development?