Informal partners over decades, Agfa Graphics successor ECO3 and Nela are working together to expand automation capabilities.

The “strategic partnership” will extend ECO3’s upcoming Apogee IQ platform into physical plate automation, further connecting prepress workflows with pressroom operations.

Apogee IQ was announced in September, as a “next-generation platform for connected print production, integrating business systems, production equipment, and operational data into one environment”.

Planned for Q2 2027, the Nela integration into Apogee IQ extends these capabilities into automated plate handling and pre-press logistics. “By connecting production planning with plate validation, tracking, and delivery, the integration will help printers reduce manual intervention, minimise errors, and gain greater visibility across the entire plate lifecycle,” global head of software Arnaud Becuwe said.

As the print industry continues to move toward connected, data-driven production, the partnership with ECO3 “combines NELA's leadership in plate automation with the workflow intelligence of Apogee IQ, creating new opportunities for printers to optimise operations, reduce waste, and improve pressroom performance,” Nela’s hard-and-software R&D director Tobias Lerch said.

Apogee IQ is powered by Adobe Print Services and supported by Bodoni colour management tools. Following a recently announced collaboration with PlanProphet, Nela brings additional expertise in physical production automation to the platform.

“Printers are increasingly looking for solutions that connect every stage of production and eliminate manual touchpoints," said Becuwe. “With Apogee IQ, we’re building an open automation platform that brings together best-in-class technologies from these partners.”