Quickly Produce Circular & Catalog Versions with Ease
LAGO’s Version Optimization makes it possible to automatically create the minimal number of versions (or variants) of a circular or catalog needed to run through the production process. Furthermore, the entire range of detail for versioning is covered from national to regional/market-specific to customer-specific variants.
Thanks to the built-in optimization algorithm, graphic designers and production artists avoid manually building versions based on variable data like pricing or product availability. As a result, not only will valuable production and proofing time be saved, but also the high costs associated with data interpretation errors. Best of all, managers better control production workflows, the collaboration between proofing and approval is seamless, and final files are output easily for print and digital channels.
Global retailers use LAGO to simplify their complex versioning production workflows and multichannel marketing activities.
See for yourself just how you can significantly cut production time and costs.
Automatic Versioning Calculations Save Time & Effort
The LAGO Version Optimization module can calculate the number of production versions necessary based on the regional/market-specific master and header data inputted into the layout process. A graphic designer in production only receives the orders that require interaction and header variants for processing. Therefore, designers do not have to determine the number of InDesign documents that need to be created – a vital benefit of the module.
At its core, the algorithm determines the total number of versions based on the sum of all products and their variant characteristics. Therefore, variants are always based on the current, bi-directional data collection and factors from publication to publication and page to page.
Flexible Product Data for Fully Automated Production
While designers and production artists can view product names, prices, images, and more anytime, content variants are populated automatically during production via an InDesign Server. This automation means that manual intervention is no longer required at the end of the production process! So, for example, you can automatically generate several name variants for regional versions: sandwiches in the North could be “Subs,” and in the South, they could be “Hoagies.”
Easily Manage Production Output Methods
Print Production
LAGO can specify complex configurations, including regional/market-specific versions, paper formats, and other optimizations within the master data information via schemas. LAGO’s Print Optimizer makes it possible to transfer files with the simple press of a button to your printer. Furthermore, Print Optimizer manages print schema, including allocating regional and market-specific versions to printers. Using these schemas makes it possible to use the proper schema for multiple publications which need to be printed by different printers on different paper formats. At the heart of this module is the automatic print sequence planning optimization. This function determines the necessary plate changes based on the version to be printed and sets the optimum print sequence. This process takes into account product swaps and vital product information like pricing.
Digital Production
Production variations can also extend to the digital realm, making multichannel marketing efficient and cost-effective. However, print-ready layouts do not always translate to the digital world, especially on mobile devices. With Digital Layout, product data is always linked between the LAGO database and the workflow to sync variable data needed for regional/market-specific digital files without losing sight of the big picture. The LAGO Digital Output module can also be configured to fully automate the creation of hotspot overlay coordinates and assignment of gallery assets.
LAGO Customer Success Stories
Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops is the leading national retailer of outdoor gear and apparel with 200 retail and marine center locations across North America.
Photo courtesy of Lowe’s
Lowe’s Home Improvement
Founded in 1921, home improvement chain Lowe’s has become a Fortune 50 retailer, with over 2,000 locations and 300,000-plus employees worldwide.
Versioning Production Insights from Comosoft
In this article we focus more on the “front end” of the catalog production process - the cost of planning and managing these complex, often beautiful, and compelling marketing vehicles.
With so many challenges and channels to master, good marketing creative directors need every edge they can get. One such edge is the humble – and often marginalized – retail circular or flyer.
As is the case with any industry that wishes to survive as the world evolves, the printing industry has also evolved alongside it to stay relevant and increase revenue.
Now more than ever, catalogs are effective because of technological innovations that enable companies to target customers based on their interests and buying habits.
Accelerate multichannel marketing with InDesign production of circulars and catalogs - without sacrificing good design.
When it comes to grocery shopping, customers increasingly expect an experience that allows them to shop how they want, when they want.
Industries that Use LAGO
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