Variable Data Publishing

Variable data publishing (VDP) is a term that has been described by multiple entities and is a maturing mechanism for customer information presentations.
Adobe defines Variable Data Publishing (VDP) as (see site and page 3):
  • VDP automates the production of unique, relevant communications that resonate with recipients and motivate them to take action.
  • VDP links creative content with databases and print engines to deliver customized output.
  • VDP is also known as database-driven, personalized, or one-to-one marketing

PCI, a VDP vendor defines Variable data publishing (VDP) as (reference http://www.pcipage.com/solutions/variabledata.asp):

Variable Data Publishing refers to systems and processes that allow users to create highly designed documents that contain variable content based on a specific customer, product or set of business rules.

Wikipedia defines it as (reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_Data_Publishing):

Variable Data Publishing, also known as VDP, variable information, data-driven, targeted, or one-to-one marketing, automates the production of unique, relevant, individually customized communication materials used to increase sales, acquire leads, or secure customer loyalty. Variable Data Publishing automates the creation of customized communications by merging a page layout design with data imported from a database and/or images imported from a digital asset repository. Variable Data Printing automates the production of the customized materials.

It doesn’t matter which definition of VDP you prescribe too, PatternStream has the features and functions to support most all types of VDP projects. PatternStream’s data-driven method implemented through its set up and publishing approach allows users to create and use projects that enable data to control the entire process for content constructs to information presentation. Whatever data is relevant, customer, product, pricing, technical, or stored information can be used to create the final product, in multiple file formats, to satisfy specific distribution requirements.

PatternStream uses a unique method of viewing data-driven publishing projects as the merging of a data structure with a document hierarchy. This patented technique works with both FrameMaker and InDesign through their application programming interfaces (API) and also generates XML files as a single application.