Local Area Network Manager: Digital Librarian, Archivist
Company: Direct Press Modern Lithography
Timeline: 1997 – 1998
Location: Springfield, Virginia & New York (Serving the Entire United States)
Experience:
Hired as the Local Area Network Manager and Digital Librarian, I developed, administered, and supported an all-digital commercial imaging and printing network for a startup location in Springfield, Virginia industrial park. I drastically improved operations by implementing an online Blue-line proofing system using Apple technology and Webstar Star Nine web serving technology.
Supported a LAN comprised of Macintosh, Windows NT and UNIX workstations and servers.
Served as an electronic librarian by digitizing, archiving and imaging films for one of the first all digital printing company’s in the World.
In the pioneering days of the digital printing revolution, I had the unique opportunity to work as a digital librarian at Direct Press. We were a truly innovative company, the first of our kind to offer nationwide, all-digital printing services. Our secret weapon was “crowd-sourced ganged printing,” a method that allowed us to combine multiple small print jobs into larger runs, drastically reducing costs for clients who couldn’t otherwise afford high-quality color printing.
Our services went beyond printing. We were a one-stop shop for businesses of all sizes, providing photography, graphic design, layout, and advertising services. Our client list was diverse and impressive, ranging from local New York businesses to national brands like JCPenney, Goya Foods, and even the iconic Madison Square Garden.
As the company’s digital librarian, I was responsible for managing an extensive digital asset library. It was an exciting time to be working with cutting-edge technology:
Kodak Storage Software: This was the backbone of our library, providing a robust system for organizing and retrieving digital files.
40 Digital Linear Tape (DLT) Library: With dual heads for simultaneous reading and writing, this library provided massive storage capacity and fast access to our growing collection of images, layouts, and other digital assets.
Sun Microsystems Array: This powerful server provided the computing muscle needed to handle the demands of our high-resolution files and complex design projects.
Hewlett-Packard Disc 40 Disc Jukebox: This robotic storage system allowed us to store and access tens of thousands of discs, ensuring we could always find the files we needed quickly and efficiently.
My role was critical in ensuring our designers and printers had the resources they needed to deliver outstanding results for our clients. I was also responsible for maintaining the integrity of our digital archive, safeguarding the valuable assets that were the lifeblood of our business.
Working at Direct Press Modern Lithography was a formative experience in my career. I gained invaluable knowledge about digital asset management, learned to adapt to rapidly evolving technology, and witnessed firsthand the transformative power of digital printing in the business world.
