The Need

The need was to have a single application that could be skinned for different users, providing them a platform to order for print collaterals like business cards and customize the prints according to their requirement. Our customer wanted a Collateral Management System (CMS) that could be used by their corporate clients to customize and order prints online. Currently the customer employs multiple systems to accomplish the above requirements. iWay system (developed by Press-sense) was used for customizable documents on demand; Promail's limited storefront was used to make stored products available via the web; Promail's back end was used for inventory control, packing list output, pick lists and shipping integration. Further there was a need to integrate the web application into the new XMPIE based authoring and fulfillment system.

The Solution

ASP.Net Storefront was identified as the core online order processing system and tts flexibility to be skinned was utilized to quickly create multiple sites with various skins. Asp.Net Storefront was integrated with XMPIE to fetch designs with variable data that the user would key in a web form. Users' inputs are passed to XMPIE to generate a run time PDF that could be previewed. The confirmed orders undergo a simple workflow before they are put into the XMPIE for production. The development was further quickened using middleware tools like LLBGenPro and RAD user interface tools like Component Art.

The solution was developed offshore using TFS along with teams elsewhere. It is a classic example of collaborative development.

Technologies

ASP.Net Storefront, XMPIE, C#, Javascript, SQL Server 2005.

The Need

Our client based out of Tampa FL had a requirement to develop a print industry solution which would allow customers to send media raw data to get printed on Magazines or Newspapers or into a CD or DVD. The sizes of the files were large and were in various formats and had to be moved or uploaded automatically to the respective folders of each department based on the format. At the end a job ticket was to be created informing the department heads of the uploaded data.

The Solution

Chimera had setup a very dynamic team considering the technological challenges and the time duration. A solution based on Telerik and LLB GenPro was proposed and RAD upload was selected and optimized for server memory. The solution was to use Asp.Net Telerik upload control to upload raw print media data and also accept the Meta information about the data which gets uploaded along with the ability of a multiple file upload. A custom user control inheriting from ASP.net Telerik upload will render the multiple file upload facility along with the dynamic properties (Meta information) was developed as a part of the solution.

The solution also contains an admin application for the dynamic data inputs by the site administrators or Sales Representatives and Department heads.

Technologies

LLBL Genpro, Microsoft Visual Studio Team System, Ajax, AxisLT, XML, SQL Server 2005.

The Need

Darwill Inc is a leading web to print solution provider to enterprise customers. An existing cold fusion based system was used by their corporate customers to order prints online. This product required customization in terms of interface changes as per their corporate profile and access to their collaterals and its custom field definitions.

The Solution

After a set of knowledge transfer session, Chimera setup a co-development environment. A series of enhancements for the database and the application were identified. Specifications based on the each customer's preferences were drawn up and Chimera followed it up by customization. The user could also see the printing output in every step using third party tools. Screen flows, screen designs, customization process also had been modified. The work was executed partly offshore and partly onsite.

Technologies

Cold fusion server, Cold fusion scripts, PDFLib, Ghostscript and SQL Server 2000.

The Need

The organization is a web to print digital printing solutions organization. It had a set of designers who work on Corel, designing new templates. The company also had an application that the store personnel use to showcase the product catalogue to the customers. The Need was to have Corel integrated to the organizations backend product catalogue and have a plug-in in the Corel that could retrieve and store old/new designs into a secure organization product catalogue.

The Solution

To cater to this requirement, a Corel plug-in was developed using its existing GMS files architecture. A middleware layer consisting of a .Net DLL and an enterprise service bus was developed to communicate with the existing product catalogue. The Corel plug-in now would allow users to authenticate and submit new designs to the product catalogue. An integrated simple workflow allows the administrators of the system to modify and approve the design. The Corel plug-in also allows the designer to drop tags that are later customizable by the customer.

Technologies

Corel Draw X3, VBA, .Net DLL, Webservices.

The Need

The customer who is into online digital printing required a CSR application, which is an application that assists customer support executives to showcase a product catalogue of designs to its customers and allow them to customize it and print the design immediately. The need was to have a multi location product catalogue that could be accessed by the customer service representatives.

The Solution

A Service Oriented Architecture based application framework was developed and a web application that talks to this integrated platform was developed as a part of the CSR application. A web based Variable Data printing solution was also developed. The web services framework pulls out and stores information related to the product catalogues and all customer transactions. It allows the customer representatives to search and retrieve the customers' earlier orders. The application also allows the customer to modify and position his data visually over an existing template, preview it and print it.

Technologies

XML, Webservices written in C#.Net, ASP.net, Ajax, Adobe SVG viewer, Microsoft SQL server 2005.

The Need

The need was to a have a self service kiosk in a digital printing store that would allow the customer to browse through the catalogue which provides about one thousand pre-prepared templates for categories like business card, mugs, t-shirts etc. The customer can choose any of the templates and can customize them based on the requirement.

The Solution

A self service kiosk with an attractive user interface which was simple and intuitive was deployed at the site. The product catalogue waws synced with the corporate catalogue using a secure web service. The visitor can browse the list of available designs with the help of an easy navigation system using the category - sub category style of navigation. The application provides the customer with a three dimensional image of the product wherein the customer will be able to see the front, back and side image of the end product. The customer can choose any of the templates and can customize them based on the requirement.

Technologies

Silverlight2.0, Microsoft.Net 3.5, Microsoft Expression Blend. C#.net.