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iccMAX in the value chain

Value added through using iccMAX within business process resides in functionality, connectivity, and computational efficiency.

A wide range of functionality can be implemented, through the much richer set of processing elements and connection spaces. The number of use case scenarios that can be addressed is substantially enhanced, and since the framework for implementation is provided license-free in RefIccMax, the cost of implementing new transform functionality is significantly reduced. The ability to convert between binary and XML representations of the profile, and to call text data files at profile creation time, also simplifies the profile generation process. End users will be able to perform a range of tasks which were not previously possible without specialist or custom software.

Connectivity is a key element of the ICC architecture, and of the iccMAX specification. iccMAX preserves the core ICC concept of a well-defined connection space for profiles, while simultaneously supporting connection to compatible iccMAX profiles using highly flexible connection spaces, and legacy v2 and v2 ICC profiles. Developers can focus their effort on the specific element of the workflow that adds value to their product, without the need to build a complete transform pipeline from original to preview and output. End users will see a more seamless connection between different elements of their workflow, especially where those elements require processing not supported in ICC v4.

Although the use of functionally-encoded transforms carries a potential run-time computation cost, the extended function set provides wider opportunities for optimisation. Developers can choose to use features which reduce profile size (e.g. lossless compression of elements, sparse matrices, transforms by reference, enabling local caching of selected transforms) and subsequent costs of network transmission and storage; or features that optimise computational efficiency. Implementors can also eliminate the need for large libraries of profiles, and the problem of profile selection, by providing a single profile for a range of conditions which is configured at run-time. End users should see an overall reduction in computation time and communication bandwidth as software providers are able to match requirements more directly with a wider range of processing elements.