The Desert Sun and Gannett Publishing Services [GPS] have selected Harland Simon to replace EAE press control system on a Goss Headliner press and communications to two KBA Towers, plus associated Reelstands at their facility in Palms Springs, CA.
The upgrade is scheduled to begin 2nd quarter of 2014, with the press remaining in production throughout the upgrade process. The new Harland Simon system replaces obsolete EAE controls and is based on off-the- shelf Allen-Bradley PLC hardware. The project includes replacement of the main press controls, installation of two Prima 6000 operator consoles and comprehensive management information system [MIS], which has been developed in consultation with our customers and covers topics such as edition performance, press performance, pre-setting accuracy and extensive reporting.
The Harland Simon EAE upgrade experience has been building for a number of years; the first US based upgrade was manroland reelstands at The Vancouver Sun, BC, this was followed quickly by a complete EAE upgrade, including upper level MIS, consoles and on-unit controls [DIM/DIS/DIP] at Birmingham News, AL. Currently, Harland Simon are in the process of replacing EAE reelstand controls at Des Moines Register, IA.
John Staiano, Managing Director – Americas for Harland Simon commented, "We have been in consultation with the team from Palm Springs and GPS for a number of years; as such, this order has great professional and personal pride for all involved."
Harland Simon's upgrade methodology means that throughout the project the existing system will remain operational until the new system is fully tested in order to remove any risk to production. Costs are minimized by retaining elements of the old system that can still be used and supported. It's an approach that Harland Simon have used on many occasions previously on systems supplied by EAE, Goss, Rockwell Automation, Honeywell and manroland.
Today's newspapers urgently need to replace obsolete hardware, whilst at the same time reducing on-going cost and minimizing risk. Harland Simon's core solutions are based upon improved technical support and enhanced features such as comprehensive press monitoring, touch screen technology, on-line soft proofing, advanced reporting and ink presetting with adaptive (learning) algorithms; all with the use of 'off-the-shelf' industry standard hardware.
This will be the fifth controls upgrade project Harland Simon has undertaken within GPS in the last 3 years, these being: Burlington Free Press, VT; The Tennessean, TN; Asbury Park Press, NJ; The Des Moines Register, IA and now The Desert Sun, CA.
