Saint-Paul rebuilt from client to the production process

The Saint-Paul Group publishes the daily newspaper ‘La Liberté’ and the weekly newspaper ‘La Broye Hebdo’, and it comprises several print shops, media production, book publishers and a bookstore. It is active in the print and media sectors and employs around 300 staff.

The objective

Achieve production of the daily newspaper ‘La Liberté’ using WoodWing Enterprise within five months. No easy task, given that the technology must be provided and around 70 members of the editorial team need to be trained within this timeframe.

The project stages

Stage one: Develop infrastructure and implement the editing system

The subproject ‘editing system’ already starts while the infrastructure is implemented. The functions required by the editorial team are implemented in cooperation with the a&f application specialists. WoodWing Enterprise takes centre stage. This is supplemented by page design in Tell Timone, the Elvis DAM image database, the Claro image optimiser and MadeToPrint for the print and online PDF edition.

«Switching to a new system also offers the opportunity to rethink existing structures and adjust them as needed.»

Bruno Hayoz, Executive Assistant and Production Department Manager

Stage two: New workplaces and system training

All members of the editorial team are equipped with new client hardware. 70 workplaces must be furnished and made available for rollout within a short period. Munki is used for the latter. It enables central administration of hundreds of Macs including AD binding. Once all systems and clients are installed and integrated, the affected staff members are trained. The training covered around 60 editors.

«While the projects were planned in detail, a&f also proved very flexible in integrating minor changes.»

Bruno Hayoz, Executive Assistant and Production Department Manager

Stage three: Go-live at ‘La Liberté’

In parallel to the new production method, the newspaper was re-designed, placing additional demands on the parties involved. Nevertheless, the first edition of ‘La Liberté’ was published in its new layout and produced with WoodWing Enterprise as planned.

Other transitions followed, including for the publications ‘La Broye’, ‘La Gruyère’ and ‘Agri’.

«WoodWing is an extensive system, yet customisable to the work methods of each editorial team.»

Bruno Hayoz, Executive Assistant and Production Department Manager

Conclusion

Products and services from one source

The server environment including the backup concept, the editing system including the digital asset management solution, Apple clients including corresponding hardware and software, as well as the relevant system training: The printing house Saint-Paul now sources all these products and services from the same provider.