AFP: When Speed is of the Essence
Advanced Function Presentation (AFP), formerly developed by IBM, is still the most frequently encountered data stream – especially in the industrial processing of large numbers of documents such as invoices, account statements, etc. Today the format is manufacturer-independent. AFP allows high print speeds and features excellent separation of user data and recurring data (forms). Today responsibility for its further development and maintenance lies with the AFP Consortium.
Its comprehensive, flexible resource management and compactness make AFP a favorite among users. Developers appreciate its well thought-out and documented architecture. Originally designed for digital black-and-white printing, AFP is now an established standard in digital color printing as well.
An AFP print file with 5,000 pages, for example, contains not only the text for 5,000 recipients but references to resources (fonts, graphics, etc.) that are saved only once. Archiving systems often control the original AFP data stream, including resource management, or may convert an AFP print file into 5,000 individual PDF files.