Fremont, Calif. – The School of Graphic Communications Management (GCM) in the Faculty of Communication and Design at Toronto-based Ryerson University has received a donation of EFI Pace estimating MIS/ERP software from Electronics For Imaging, Inc. The donation, which includes licenses for 75 concurrent users, allows the school to fill a key gap in its digital workflow, create a complete integrated pre-media system, and train students on state-of-the art digital solutions.

“Last year, we sat down and discussed our needs for the School,” said Martin Habekost, Associate Chair of Ryerson’s GCM school. “We wanted to teach more real-world estimating, but lacked the proper system to really do it effectively. The students do estimating by hand, but we couldn’t show them a sophisticated MIS system.

“EFI has solutions for almost all digital printing processes. We approached them and they were very responsive. Access to Pace will enable our students to work on an industry standard system and allow for good interconnectivity between the different software solutions on our pre-media side and going into production.”

Learning the future of print with EFI technology

In addition to the Pace estimating module, EFI is a key pillar of the digital infrastructure at the school. EFI Fiery digital front ends drive the school’s digital press and proofers, and students work on EFI Metrix planning and automated imposition component software that is integrated into the Pace MIS.

EFI Pace – a browser-based solution – is the core MIS/ERP software behind EFI’s Midmarket Print Suite business and production management workflow for commercial and superwide-format print providers. The software provides an end-to-end workflow of processes such as estimating, scheduling, purchasing, inventory control, data collection, planning, accounting, reporting, and analysis. The system optimizes resource utilization, eliminates manual touchpoints, and reduces waste, resulting in better communication, growing revenue, and an improved bottom line.

An EFI commitment to industry education

“EFI was generous in wanting to work with our School, and they want to support the education of our students because they see the future benefit in it,” said Habekost. “We are very happy to have this software to train our students.”

With a full-time enrollment of 660 students, the School of Graphic Communications Management offers the only four-year degree program in Canada in graphic communications. It has its own dedicated building on campus in the Toronto’s city center, with 12 full-time and 10 part-time faculty.

The school operates sheetfed offset, narrow-web flexo, and cut-sheet digital presses, along with several inkjet proofers, bindery and finishing equipment, and a full pre-media operation. Its curriculum teaches students on the management side of the print and graphics industry and in graphic communications design and print operations. Students also take classes in sales, accounting, communications, marketing, and critical thinking. “We educate our students to go into the management side of the printing industry and be as multifaceted as it is today,” explained Habekost.