efi marketdirect vdp release notes · 4 ⚫ efi productivity suite | efi marketdirect vdp...

EFI MarketDirect VDP Release Notes

Version 8.6

2 ⚫ EFI Productivity Suite | EFI MarketDirect VDP Enterprise Release Notes

Copyright © 2004 - 2020 by Electronics for Imaging, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

EFI Productivity Suite | EFI MarketDirect VDP Release Notes

April 2020 / EFI MarketDirect VDP 8.6

Document version 1.0

This publication is protected by copyright, and all rights are reserved. No part of it may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means for any purpose without express prior written consent from Electronics for Imaging, Inc. Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Electronics for Imaging, Inc.

Patents

This product may be covered by one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 4,716,978, 4,828,056, 4,917,488, 4,941,038, 5,109,241, 5,170,182, 5,212,546, 5,260,878, 5,276,490, 5,278,599, 5,335,040, 5,343,311, 5,398,107, 5,424,754, 5,442,429, 5,459,560, 5,467,446, 5,506,946, 5,517,334, 5,537,516, 5,543,940, 5,553,200, 5,563,689, 5,565,960, 5,583,623, 5,596,416, 5,615,314, 5,619,624, 5,625,712, 5,640,228, 5,666,436, 5,745,657, 5,760,913, 5,799,232, 5,818,645, 5,835,788, 5,859,711, 5,867,179, 5,940,186, 5,959,867, 5,970,174, 5,982,937, 5,995,724, 6,002,795, 6,025,922, 6,035,103, 6,041,200, 6,065,041, 6,112,665, 6,116,707, 6,122,407, 6,134,018, 6,141,120, 6,166,821, 6,173,286, 6,185,335, 6,201,614, 6,215,562, 6,219,155, 6,219,659, 6,222,641, 6,224,048, 6,225,974, 6,226,419, 6,238,105, 6,239,895, 6,256,108, 6,269,190, 6,271,937, 6,278,901, 6,279,009, 6,289,122, 6,292,270, 6,299,063, 6,310,697, 6,321,133, 6,327,047, 6,327,050, 6,327,052, 6,330,071, 6,330,363, 6,331,899, 6,340,975, 6,341,017, 6,341,018, 6,341,307, 6,347,256, 6,348,978, 6,356,359, 6,366,918, 6,369,895, 6,381,036, 6,400,443, 6,429,949, 6,449,393, 6,476,927, 6,490,696, 6,501,565, 6,519,053, 6,539,323, 6,543,871, 6,546,364, 6,549,294, 6,549,300, 6,550,991, 6,552,815, 6,559,958, 6,572,293, 6,590,676, 6,606,165, 6,633,396, 6,636,326, 6,643,317, 6,647,149, 6,657,741, 6,662,199, 6,678,068, 6,707,563, 6,741,262, 6,748,471, 6,753,845, 6,757,436, 6,757,440, 6,778,700, 6,781,596, 6,816,276, 6,825,943, 6,832,865, 6,836,342, RE33,973, RE36,947, D341,131, D406,117, D416,550, D417,864, D419,185, D426,206, D439,851, D444,793.

Trademarks

The EPS logo, AutoCal, Auto-Count, Balance, Best, the Best logo, BESTColor, BioVu, BioWare, ColorPASS, Colorproof, ColorWise, Command WorkStation, CopyNet, Cretachrom, Cretaprint, the Cretaprint logo, Cretaprinter, Cretaroller, DockNet, Digital StoreFront, DirectSmile, DocBuilder, DocBuilder Pro, DocStream, DSFdesign Studio, Dynamic Wedge, EDOX, EFI, the EFI logo, Electronics For Imaging, Entrac, EPCount, EPPhoto, EPRegister, EPStatus, Estimate, ExpressPay, Fabrivu, Fast-4, Fiery, the Fiery logo, Fiery Driven, the Fiery Driven logo, Fiery JobFlow, Fiery JobMaster, Fiery Link, Fiery Prints, the Fiery Prints logo, Fiery Spark, FreeForm, Hagen, Inktensity, Inkware, Jetrion, the Jetrion logo, LapNet, Logic, MiniNet, Monarch, MicroPress, OneFlow, OPS, Pace, PhotoXposure, PressVu, Printcafe, PrinterSite, PrintFlow, PrintMe, the PrintMe logo, PrintSmith, PrintSmith Site, Printstream, Print to Win, Prograph, PSI, PSI Flexo, Radius, Rastek, the Rastek logo, Remoteproof, RIPChips, RIP-While-Print, Screenproof, SendMe, Sincrolor, Splash, Spot-On, TrackNet, UltraPress, UltraTex, UltraVu, UV Series 50, VisualCal, VUTEk, the VUTEk logo, and WebTools are trademarks of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.

All other terms and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.

EFI MarketDirect VDP v. 8.6 ⚫ 3

Table of Contents

Contact Information ............................................................................................................................. 4 How to Obtain & Apply the Software .................................................................................................. 4 New Features / Enhancements in VDP 8.6 ......................................................................................... 5 New Features / Enhancements in VDP 8.5 ......................................................................................... 8 New Features / Enhancements in VDP 8.3 ......................................................................................... 9 Issues Resolved in VDP 8.4.3 ............................................................................................................ 10 Issues Resolved in VDP 8.3 ............................................................................................................... 11 Issues Resolved in VDP 8.2 ............................................................................................................... 11 End of Life Announcements .............................................................................................................. 12 Requirements for VDP Desktop ........................................................................................................ 13 MarketDirect VDP Enterprise System Requirements (For Self-Hosted EFI VDP installations ... 13


Introduction

EFI MarketDirect VDP Desktop is an InDesign-based solution for the production of personalized print pieces incorporating image personalization and variable data print. The Generator desktop software installation included here is applicable to VDP Desktop and EFI VDP for MarketDirect StoreFront.

Contact Information

EFI Support

Web Site: https://customer.efi.com

US Phone: 1.855.EFI.4HLP / +1 412-690-4321

UK Phone: +44 (0) 800.783.2737

EU Phone: +31 20 658 8080

APAC Phone: +61 7 3625 9200

South America

Phone: +1 412-690-4321

E-Mail: [email protected]

Note For problems involving infrastructure (i.e., computers, networks, operating systems, backup software, printers, third-party software, etc.), contact the appropriate vendor. EFI cannot support these types of issues.

EFI Professional Services

US Phone: 651.365.5321

US Fax: 651.365.5334

E-Mail: [email protected]

Note EFI Professional Services can help you perform EFI software installations, upgrades, and updates. This group can also help you implement, customize, and optimize your EFI software, plus offers a range of training options.

How to Obtain & Apply the Software

• Self-hosted customers: To schedule your Cross Media upgrade to the latest version, please visit http://update.directsmile.com.

• EFI-hosted customers: You will be contacted via email and updated automatically.

https://customer.efi.com/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://update.directsmile.com/


New Features / Enhancements in VDP 8.6

VDP Enterprise Notification Email on Batch Failure

If a batch fails, then you will receive a notification email with the production workflow name, account that processed the batch, batch ID, date and time of the failure, and reason for the failure.

VDP Enterprise Download Imposition Button

You can download an imposition file from VDP Enterprise.

VDP Enterprise Workflow Search Bar

You can now search for a workflow in the Workflows window using the Search for Workflow Name or Document Alias field.

Preview / Print Documents Available in the WebAPI

Rendering Preview / Print Documents can be requested via the WebAPI instead of the LB service.

Enhanced Performance for Production Jobs in Batch Mode

Large production jobs will be split into blocks of 500 when you send them to the server using the VDP Enterprise Web API.


WebAPI Jobs and Workflow Batches can Output a File via SFTP Server

SFTP is a new option for the Select a Destination outputs in the Output File tab in Workflow Settings.


Enhanced VDP Enterprise Print Workflow

Imposition Workflow in VDP Enterprise now contains a Sheetmarks and Insert Sheet tab, which gives you more control over the output of the print imposition file. You can create a Sheetmark or Insert Sheet document using the Print Designer in Cross Media, then add that document to your imposition file in VDP Enterprise. Custom imposition variables and barcodes can be added to your Sheetmark and Insert Sheet documents, which are great for tracking and branding your print job.



Barcode Color Option Choose the color of a QR code added to a print document by selecting the Layout tab, and choosing a color from the Barcode color drop-down list. This allows you to output your barcode as 100 percent black.

Display Workflow Name in VDP when Deleting an Item

Now when you try to delete an image or document from the Repository in VDP Enterprise, you will receive a message that notifies you which workflow is using the image or document.



GDPR Feature – Ability to Delete Documents from Print Workflow in Cross Media Professional and VDP Enterprise We’ve added a feature in the Print Workflow that allows administrators to delete rendered PDF documents. This can be helpful when customers ask for the deletion of potentially personal information from the server for GDPR compliance. This feature can also be accessed through the VDP Enterprise API.

Administrators can select the “eraser” icon in the list of production jobs to delete the PDF.

Imposition Cutmark controls added in Cross Media and VDP Enterprise

Enable cutmarks and Distance were added to the Imposition Manager. The Distance control changes the distance of the cutmark from the corner of the document.


VDP Enterprise Print Production Workflow and Impositions Now HTML5 The Silverlight UI for the Print Production Workflow is now available in HTML5. This feature is for customers of VDP Enterprise and Cross Media Professional.

Certain functionality is not available in HTML5:

• Orders Tab as visible in Silverlight workflow

• Delivery Note Designer

• Custom States in Workflow Settings

• Job Templates Builder and Job Templates

• Conditions for assigned documents

• Enable automatic PDF proof

• Column selection for Order items

Issues Resolved in VDP 8.5.1

• Faulty Fonts Misinterpreted in the Preview File Certain fonts, written by open source font tools or found online for free, display line height differences when switching between pixel-perfect and normal text previews. The issue has been resolved. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-4602)

• Render Core Adding Up Memory with Big Blocks Resolved a memory issue when rendering large-block print files. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-4511)

• Missing Option in the Repository Browser of VDP Resolved the issue where the Leave text open option was missing from the Seal URL drop-down list in the HTML Repository. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE4517)

• Interface Error when Requesting Personalized Images When trying to request a VDP image from the server, users would receive the error message, “Interface not available in this version.” The issue has been resolved. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-4522)

• Spot Colors not Functioning Properly in the Workflow Manager Resolved the issue where spot colors were not functioning in output PDFs assigned to a print workflow in the Workflow Manager. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-4537)


Issues Resolved in VDP 8.4.3

• Spot Color Outline Resolved (VDP Desktop and VDP Enterprise)

Resolved the issue of spot color outlines reverting to black. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-4144)

Issues Resolved in VDP 8.3

• Reinstated DSMOnlineSetPlugin VDP Studio Plugin

For specific legacy customer application, we have made available the DSMOnlineSetPlugin and VDP

Studio plugin which supports MS-Soap 3.0 and outdated MSXML-4. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-

4022)

• Document Rendering of Multiple Pages (Cross Media and VDP Enterprise) When previewing a multi-page document in the Administration of Cross Media and VDP Enterprise, only the first page is displayed. This issue has been corrected (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3854)

• Resolved ICC Profile Issue on PDF Presets (Cross Media and VDP Enterprise) ICC profiles can now be added at the Account and System level. Resolved the issue which limited the profile upload to only the template. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3807)

• Special Characters and “Space” causes error in Print Workflow naming (Cross Media and VDP Enterprise) Resolved the issue where spaces and special characters in a print workflow name failed to create a production job. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3756)

• Barcodes on Print Documents The configuration of a barcode in the Smart Canvas print designer was not retained upon print output through the print production workflow in the VDP Enterprise administration. This has been corrected. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3457)

• VDP Enterprise Server Settings Accessible by all SU Users Resolved an issue where users with SU privileges could not access server settings. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3458)

• Advanced Print Workflow FTP Upload The ability to upload a production PDF to an FTP site in the VDP Enterprise Advanced Print Workflow has been resolved. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3119)

Issues Resolved in VDP 8.2

• VDP unable to print the less than sign VDP will now print the special character “<” instead of replacing it with “\.” (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3470)

• Incorrect document QR code link QR codes produced in the Smart Canvas designer then sent to the VDP Enterprise print workflow, point users to the appropriate link instead of example.com. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3457)

• Unable to Output PDF VT1 and PDF 1.7 from Automated Print Workflow Resolved the issue of printing PDF VT1 and PDF 1.7 from the VDP Enterprise print workflow. Added after release of 8.2. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3392)

• Sent rendering fails with option PNG (Cross Media and VDP Enterprise)

Resolved the issue where rendering an image set with a VDP document or within Cross Media gave

back an error of File not found. Added after release of 8.2. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3328)

• Proof render error

Resolved an issue where in specific installations, rendering a proof through the VDP Enterprise print

workflow caused a failure. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3162)

• Web documents are not rendered correctly when sent to VDP Enterprise print workflow

In certain circumstances, web documents will preview correctly on screen but the changes to the

document will be lost when sent to the print workflow. This has been corrected for Cross Media and

VDP Enterprise. (Issue Reference: DIRSMILE-3027)


End of Life Announcements

The following functionality will be no longer supported or continued:

• Video Image Sets – June 2020 Video image sets will no longer be supported in Cross Media, VDP Enterprise, and VDP Desktop. Existing video image sets can continue to be used until this time, but future development may eventually render these sets unusable.

• VDP Enterprise Video Rendering – October 2020 EFI will no longer support or offer personalized video rendering with VDP Enterprise version 9.0, tentatively scheduled for October 2020. Please sure to REMOVE personalized video from any classic campaigns you are running which utilize this feature.

• Silverlight Print Workflow – January 2021 EFI will remove the Silverlight print workflow from VDP Enterprise and Cross Media administration in January 2021. Currently, this feature is only available through typing the URL. Please begin using the HTML5 print workflow available directly through the user interface.

• Silverlight Image and Document Repository – January 2021 EFI will remove the Silverlight image and document repository from VDP Enterprise and Cross Media administration in January 2021. Currently, this feature is only available through typing the URL. Please begin using the HTML5 image and document available directly through the user interface.


System Requirements

Please ensure your system meets the following minimum requirements before beginning the installation process.

Requirements for VDP Desktop

Hardware

Computer/Processor x86- or x64- dual processor with at least 1 GHz min

RAM (Memory) 4 GB

Storage 250+ GB for working directory recommended

Internet Access Activation and use of the software requires Internet connection

Software & Component Requirements

MarketDirect VDP Enterprise System Requirements (For Self-Hosted EFI VDP installations)

Requirements for VDP Enterprise

Processor x64- processor with at least 1.5 GHz and 6 or more virtual cores

RAM 12+ GB

Hard disk 500+ GB (failsafe storage with backup‐strategy recommended)

Accessibility

Fixed IP-address with 100Mbit Internet connection or higher

RDP access for the MarketDirect network

Ports Out: 25, 465, 80, 443

Ports In: 80, 443

To access Silverlight Server Monitor: 943, 4530–4535

Public SSL certificate (not included)

Operating System Windows Server 2012 R2 through Windows Server 2019 with activated auto login

Note: EFI VDP should be installed and run on a separate server (not the Digital StoreFront server) as the application may require additional system resources that can affect the performance of Digital StoreFront.

Hardware

Operating System Windows 7, 8, 10, Windows Server 2012 R2 through Windows Server 2019

Note: VDP Desktop no longer supports Windows server 2008.

Required Components (not included)

Adobe InDesign CS or CC (layout creation)

MS Office or MS Access Database Engine 2007 and 2010 (database import)

Adobe Reader (to preview any output on the server)

Required Components (will be installed as part of the server solution)

.NET Framework 4.0

Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package

Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package


Note: VDP Enterprise no longer supports Windows Server 2008.

Required Components Not Included:

WinZip v. 14 or higher

MS SQL Server 2012 Web-, Standard Edition or higher (for Workflow usage)

MS SQL Server 2012 Express or higher (without Workflow usage)

Included (installed as part of the server solution):

Redis

.NET Framework 4.0

Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package

Microsoft Silverlight 5.1.30514.0 (required to use the functions and features of the MarketDirect Web front end)





Display Monitor that supports 1024 x 768 or higher resolution