CHILI publish is new and it is not like any other online publishing product on the block. Think of it as a platform you control on your own server. A webserver to brand as many sites in as many ways as you want. A system that provides control over what your users see and access.
Now add to that:
- Asset Management
- The ability to open existing InDesign documents
- An online document layout system that looks and feels like InDesign
- Font management by job
- A special tool kit for managing multi-sized ad layouts
- Built-in tools for annotation, preflight, variable data, barcodes
- All wrapped up in a very powerful PDF design and production workflow
There is way too much under the hood for a complete discussion in this article, so I am going to touch on the main points.
CHILI publish is installed on your server running Microsoft Server 2008. Your server should have space to hold the assets for the asset management system and be set up to run a web service that will allow CHILI publish to be configured. You can set it up for multiple URLs allowing you to brand workspaces for your users. This is a single server license; there is no hosting or extra billing and a maintenance contract is recommended as always.
Designers and production staff will work with CHILI publish by either opening existing InDesign files, PDF files or creating pages from scratch in the design environment. AI, EPS, TIFF, JPG, PNG are formats that can be placed in the layout program. Fonts can be added from your existing font files, and libraries can be organized by job. The layout environment has a familiar InDesign look and feel. Customize the workspace by choosing to view high resolution, medium, or low, just like in InDesign. Floating palettes or locked drop down palettes are available, and all of them have the InDesign look and feel. Layers, swatches, image links, and options for slugs and bleeds are available. Frames and text frames links can be shown. The learning curve for InDesign users is reduced because of its familiar setup.
When a design is ready to be shared, the built-in annotation can be used by any user with access to the job; the PDF can be instantly published to users in any custom format to speed up the process. The sharing setup uses preset workspaces and preset view preference. The user experience can be set up to only show the simplest tools for proofing and annotation. Features can be turned on and off per user or group reducing the amount of customer training at the outset.
Almost anything InDesign can do CHILI publish can do, along with opening existing InDesign files. The document environment also has variable data capability and includes built-in preflight. PDF export allows for customized PDF settings: high res, low res, and watermark are the defaults. There is a special ADS environment that supports multiple layers and allows for multiple layouts using the same (and different) content. There is a database for storing ad sizes, and it will manage ad collections. There is probably an entire article that can be devoted to the ad system in CHILI publish so be aware, this is just a basic mention of what is available.
Vector artwork is supported in AI and EPS format. An illustrator PDF can be opened, or you can place a native illustrator file in a CHILI publish document. CMYK, RGB, Spot Colour and Gradient swatches are supported. Barcodes are dealt with on their own; the initial setup gives a choice of five different barcode types, sizing and type positioning.
The possibilities of a product like this are endless and bring to mind how the other new technologies, like the iPad, tablets and mobile phones, will be able to take advantage and easily integrate with this type of system. The setup, installing the software, branding and configuring the users and their groups can be accomplished by most in-house systems personnel. Attaching this product to existing web interfaces will easily increase production power and give your organization the ability to provide customers with the latest online customer experience.
More information about CHILI publish can be found at www.chili-publish.com. Webinars and demos can be arranged by sending an email to info@tribay.ca or sales@tools4media.com. Contact andrea@tribay.ca if you have questions about CHILI publish.