Agfa Graphics has released the next generation of its StoreFront software, its cloud-based web to print solution.
The company says StoreFront 4.0 enables print buyers to place orders online 24/7 and now features responsive stores for ease of use; a save for quote functionality for convenient pricing information; and advanced packaging algorithms for cost-effective shipping. It allows viewing on smaller screens, such as mobile devices, and also on large desktop monitors. Viewers can store pages automatically..
Andy Grant, global head of software at Agfa Graphics, says, “StoreFront’s responsive design minimizes scrolling and zooming, and maximizes the print buyer’s comfort. “Even in the B2B market that StoreFront focuses on we’re seeing a marked increase in the number of visitors accessing private stores using a phone or tablet. A responsive store design is not only important for increasing the conversion rate, it has also become a go/no-go criteria for business customers.”
The save for quote functionality allows resellers and agencies to get instant pricing information for an entire product bundle (including shipping costs), offering more efficiency and ease of use in preparing quotes for customers, accoedi g to Agfa. Grant says, “Let’s say a print buyer needs a quote for priority shipping a large quantity of posters for a concert, or several different products for a promotional campaign – StoreFront swiftly displays the total cost for the entire project,” says Grant. “White label shipping is a growing market in which such a feature allow printers to compete more efficiently.”
Agfa has reworked the shipping module with new packaging algorithms for the grouping of order items and for calculating the optimal number of boxes needed for shipping. It has introduced a new packaging type for posters, banners and similar types of signage; these products can now be combined on a single packaging roll.
Grant says, “The result of these optimisations? Minimal shipping costs and maximum efficiency for the print seller. In the competitive print market, auxiliary costs like shipping can be a deciding factor for buyers. Optimized packaging helps print service providers get an edge over the competition.
“StoreFront 4.0 is designed to be versatile and relies on industry standard file formats like PDF and JDF. Because support for open standards and easy integration remain key for Agfa Graphics.”
