TUI UK (previously known as Thomson Holidays) has successfully implemented a Certified PDF workflow that has dramatically increased productivity for their diverse publishing requirements.

One important benefit has been the capability to generate high-resolution files in-house, eliminating external repro costs. TUI is the UK's largest tour operator, and is part of TUI AG, the largest tourism and services group in the world.

Choosing Enfocus solutions was a smart move for TUI UK, whose Publishing department produces a large volume of travel content that is re-purposed for both brochures and web sites. The Enfocus solution, which includes PitStop Professional 6, PitStop Server 3 and Instant PDF 2.0, directly addressed their requirements.  These tools support the creation, editing, pre-flighting and correction of PDF files for a variety of uses such as high quality printing, ad delivery and re-purposing of artwork for the Internet.

Previously, TUI UK used low resolution Quark files to create brochure layouts and the OPI (high-resolution picture replacement) was sent to an external repro house.  It could take up to 13 weeks to complete their 600-page summer travel catalogue.  Text content and images were stored on different servers, and it was complicated to efficiently re-purpose text for use on web sites.  TUI UK needed to migrate to a new workflow that facilitated smooth integration of text, images and files.

Cate Dixon, Development Manager in Publishing at TUI UK, describes how their production system was energized for maximum efficiency and cost savings. "A new Content Management System and image database supports our in-house PDF workflow for page production, allowing simultaneous publication of content to brochures and the web," Dixon explains. "Now we can output high resolution EPS Quark files in-house.  Additionally we installed Enfocus PitStop Professional on four workstations, providing the design team with the flexibility to check and amend any PDFs, if required and at the last minute"

The main workflow consists of two PitStop Servers which act as a gate-keeper for every PDF file that is produced and sent for printing. TUI UK is also a heavy user of the 'Action List' technology within PitStop for a wide range of uses such as content re-sizing, file stamping and cross-media publishing. The PitStop Servers also enable Enfocus certified pre-flighting for brochure pages, checking differences in file types, and adding frames for brochure PDFs destined to be used in CD-ROMs. The Publishing team can add page names to PDF files for the internal sign-off process.  Working with Enfocus Certified PDF files has added a new dimension of accuracy, ease, and efficiency to the Publishing department's varied workflow processes.

TUI UK adheres to the PDF/X-1a specification, with Enfocus Certified PDF information embedded in each PDF. "We adopted this particular specification because we must be 100% certain that the document receiver can accept and print the file," says Cate Dixon.  "As a result, we have complete control over our own files and full confidence in file delivery.  This gives us greater flexibility and control without having to rely on third parties."

Cate Dixon reports that since implementing the Certified PDF workflow, time and cost savings have been dramatic.  The ability to output a high-resolution file in-house has completely eliminated the external repro costs for brochures.  "A brochure that took 13 weeks to produce can now be output in just four weeks.  Without Enfocus PitStop Professional and our PitStop Server, our PDF workflow would not be complete," she says.  "We are satisfied to release a page to print only after it has been checked and certified using Enfocus technology!  Additionally, since a high percentage of our PDFs go to continental Europe, we feel extremely confident since the Certified PDF standard is widely acknowledged and accepted."

Steve De Wilde, International Sales Account Manager at Enfocus, comments: "We're pleased that TUI UK has dramatically benefited from implementing Certified PDF in their workflow. Once more proof is given that Enfocus Software tools eliminate errors and save time and money. This underscores the value and benefits that Certified PDF can bring to organizations that publish large volumes of content for both print and web."