Print vs Print 2.0

This article explains the differences between our newest Print offering and the old Print offering.

Comparison table

Below is a table comparing our old Print offering and the brand new Print 2.0. To connect Print to Adobe InDesign, you always need to install a plugin that allows the connection. In the newest version of Print, this plugin is the 65bit EasyCatalog.

Comparison between functionalities of Print and Print 2.0

Functionality	Print with Print plugin	Print 2.0 with EasyCatalog plugin
multi-language	✓	✓
filtering	✓	✓
fast publication performance	✕	✓
easy multi-brand handling	✕	✓
dataset reuse	✕	✓
multiple data sources per dataset	✕	✓
multiple resources	✕	✓
dynamic model	✕	✓
floating data model	✕	✓
granular datasets	✕	✓
HTML transformation	✕	✓
REST API	✕	✓
work offline	✕	✓
flat structures	✕	✓
data change overview	✕	✓
modern user interface	✕	✓
dashboard	✕	✓
table configurator	✕	✓ (add-on)
CSV file upload	✕	✓ (add-on)

Features explained

Multi-language

Support for multiple languages, based on language usage in a geographical region (for example, support for Dutch, French, and German, on the Belgian market).

Filtering

You can use one or more fields to filter data from a dataset.

Fast publication performance

Print does everything in real-time, which can result in slow content loading times in InDesign. Print 2.0 works with pre-rendered .xml files, saved locally or on a shared server. This drastically improves InDesign performance.

Easy multi-brand handling

Print 2.0 supports tenants. Tenants allow separation of brands and companies, with brands having access to their data without the risk of interference.

Dataset reuse

In Print 2.0, prints can be used in numerous ways to achieve a broad range of output. The same dataset can be used to create brochures, catalogs, and leaflets.

Multiple data sources per dataset

Print 2.0 combines data sources. This reduces the time needed to gather information in InDesign. This all takes place in the background and can be tailor-made to suit your requirements.

Multiple resources

Different formulas are available for resource handling. Resources can be fetched according to the number of related resources, using specific relations indexes, or based upon resource metadata.

Dynamic model

You can determine which Plan & Release structure level should be used to compile your dataset. The XML dataset can be compiled at the section level or any level below (for example subsection, or subsubsection).

Floating data model

You can determine the main print entity. Data can be fetched from three entity relation levels higher or deeper than the main print entity, with no customization. Data from fieldsets and specification templates can also be selected out of the box, depending on the main print entity.

Granular datasets

You can create different configurations that contain formulas that compile data in the desired way, with no additional development. Field names are also yours to determine.

HTML transformation

Print 2.0 can handle the transformation of HTML in different stages, using XSLT or other methods to adapt HTML used for web output to much simpler structures that work better in InDesign.

REST API

Print 2.0 provides a modern REST API for the input and output of data to other systems.

Work offline

Print 2.0 fetches all your data when you tell it to. This no longer happens on a field-by-field basis like before, which tremendously improves the performance. Your designers can have the data in InDesign when working offline and synchronize it when they come back online.

Flat structures

Print 2.0 can automatically flatten complex structures, so InDesign doesn't need to traverse a tree of relations, making it easier to build templates and execute production.

Data change overview

You can see what has been changed in a document and update only those fields.

Modern user interface

Print 2.0 emphasizes a user-friendly and responsive interface.

Dashboard

A dashboard with quick access to the modules, and information on using and configuring Print.

Table configurator

Print 2.0 contains a table configurator that can handle datasets with fields from different entity levels (such as items, SKU's, ItemSpecificationFields, .csv data, and others).

CSV file upload

It is possible to upload .csv files typically containing pricing, promotional information, or non-product-related data shown in publications. Fields from the .csv file can be used in standard and table configurations.

Further reading

Navigating the Print 2.0 user interface

Print 2.0 at a glance