K4 Overview
Complex production environments sometimes need more flexibility and power than a computer’s file system can offer. When large workgroups are involved, a database-driven production system is necessary. For workgroup environments where access and user rights management are needed or complex queries must be used, Softcare and MEI have teamed up todevelop the K4 publishing system.
Multiple publications, multiple workflows
K4 manages workflow for one or many publications. One K4 database can handle multiple titles and workgroups, or several K4 servers can be configured to manage all publications across an entire enterprise. When you log in to a publication in K4, the system automatically directs you to the workflow structure designed for that specific publication. Privileges and access rights are easily customized to reflect each publication's need for security and flexibility.
When you edit text or lay out pages with K4, you work right within InCopy and InDesign — there's no need to leave the application. You can search and interact with the database through pull-down menus and convenient palettes. Files in other applications are easily acquired via the K4 File Manager plug-in, so everything you need is right at your fingertips. K4 allows you to manage content and workflow across past, current or future issues.
Managing your content
K4 is very open and flexible when it comes to getting content into the workflow, whether the files originate inside the application or from outside. Your asset management or image management system can be integrated with K4, and K4 can even be integrated with our ad dummying solutions — like ALS for Magazines — so you can seamlessly package ads and editorial.
In most publishing systems, editors must do their final edits in the pagination system, an expensive solution that locks designers out of the layouts. In K4, InCopy and InDesign exchange updated information, so designers can incorporate text files into their pages in InDesign at the same time editors are working on them in InCopy. This powerful collaborative workflow lets editors work with the real designs while designers have access to real story lengths and content.
One H&J engine
InCopy offers the same strong typographical tools available in InDesign, and uses the same hyphenation and justification. Editors working in InCopy can opt for the WYSIWYG Layout mode, which offers a representation of the InDesign layout, or Galley mode, which incorporates InDesign style calls, overset, and line, page and column breaks in a typical InCopy view.
Workflow status tracking and routine
K4 allows each site to define its workflow statuses and sequences. With active workflow routing and assignment, files can be assigned automatically to a specific user or group. User groups are fully customizable, and all user and publication settings can be modified at any time, even while the system is up and running.
The system always knows who has a file checked out, when it was opened, what issue and section it belongs to and its status. Every user in the K4 workgroup can find out exactly what is going on and what is waiting to be done. K4 tracks changes, makes sure everyone is working on the latest version, and keeps you from having to worry about where all your stuff is.
When you need more than a folder-based solution, but you've been intimidated by database-driven systems, you'll find it easy to step up to K4, the collaborative workflow system that is open, simple to use, and streamlines your workflow.
