Top-notch training materials.

TESS Co., Ltd. increases in-house content creation efficiency of pamphlets, computer graphics, video content, and other engineering safety training materials.

Tokyo, Japan

www.tess.co.jp

50%

Increase in productivity

Products:

Adobe Creative Cloud for teams ›

Objectives

Reinforce in-house design production structures

Simplify submission procedures for print materials

Enhance design quality

Results

Expanded scope of in-house design

Streamlined license management and faster app installation

Increased productivity by 50%

Preflight checks improve and accelerate print production

style

white-columns, icon-headings

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Multimedia training materials

TESS Co., Ltd. is a business that provides engineering services such as testing and measurement relating to railway vehicles, test analysis for railway track structures, environmental measurement (noise, vibration, low-frequency sound waves), and structural soundness diagnosis based on the extensive specialized knowledge and experience that it has gained through railway-related research and development.

The graphic design team in the survey and statistics division of the engineering headquarters produces and sells training materials and manuals for safety counter measures in the form of pamphlets, computer graphics, video, and other media based on the results of railway-related research.

In recent years, demand for training materials has increased noticeably. “These types of publications are used for safety training programs not only by railway companies, but in a wide range of industries including construction, chemicals, and civil engineering,” explains Takashi Tanaka, Manager of the Engineering Headquarters’ Survey and Statistics Division of TESS Co., Ltd.

Cross-platform capabilities

Adobe creative apps are used by TESS to create a wide range of design work, from production of reports, pamphlets, and other paper-based publications to video and web content. The graphic design team, which regularly used Adobe Creative Suite for many years, uses primarily Macs for design work, but much of the data provided by clients is produced using Windows software. Consequently, the company packaged software products for both operating systems.

“Adobe Creative Cloud for teams is a good deal because it can be used on both Windows and Mac computers,” says Fumie Goi of the Graphic Design Team in the Survey and Statistics Division, Engineering Headquarters of TESS Co., Ltd. “Managing software through the cloud was also appealing, so we made the decision to introduce it.”

“Simply selecting the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop applications that we want to use speeds up installation, and the expanded functionality of each application increases efficiency and reduces work time.”

Takashi Tanaka

Manager of the Engineering Headquarters’ Survey and Statistics Division, TESS Co.

Creative tools boost productivity

TESS is experiencing increased efficiencies in all work using Creative Cloud apps. “The Adobe Typekit library service is extensive, and by referencing and synchronizing fonts that can be used on both the Mac and Windows operating systems, I can use them in any application immediately, making it extremely convenient,” says Ms. Goi. “In the past, we had many problems with fonts because of differences in the platforms, but now we can use them stress-free. Using Creative Cloud for teams, productivity has increased by as much as 50% compared to before Creative Cloud was introduced, and the scope of design has also expanded.”

TESS also conducted a trial of Adobe Stock. “Production materials have many photos and illustrations added, and the ability to access the numerous elements in Adobe Stock directly from desktop applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign is extremely effective in raising work efficiency,” says Ms. Goi. “I definitely hope to use this service in the future for presentation documents or individualized graphs.”

Faster print media production with PDF workflow

In the past, when printing paper-based materials, TESS saved the designs on a CD and delivered them to the printer. As a result, the submission work took a full day.

“After introducing Creative Cloud, we reviewed our workflows and switched to PDF submission,” says Ms. Goi. “We simply upload the data to the location designated by the printing company, and the work is completed in no time at all. The highly-detailed preflight check function in Adobe InDesign allows us to check for errors in advance.”

In addition, designers use the unembed function in Adobe Illustrator to cut out images and allow the original file to be edited, leading to higher work efficiency. “It is not uncommon for us to receive a request from the client to replace an image immediately before a manual is submitted,” says Ms. Goi. ”When a manual is created using a previous version and the image is not readily available, we can easily remove the original image using the links panel in Adobe Illustrator and obtain the new image.” In this way, Creative Cloud is highly valued for improving editing functions.

“Adobe Creative Cloud for teams is a good deal because it can be used on both Windows and Mac computers.”

Fumie Goi

Graphic Design Team, Survey and Statistics Division, Engineering Headquarters

Expanded 3D capabilities

Managing 3D data using Adobe Photoshop has also been simplified. “It is truly convenient to be able to preview 3D data created using many different software applications in Adobe Photoshop,” says Ms. Goi. “It is also possible to export 3D data as a PDF file, enabling us to effectively explain the status of progress to clients.”

TESS anticipates an increase in requests for video editing and website updates. By actively using the functions of Creative Cloud, TESS will seek to increase in-house design work and expand services even further. The company also anticipates taking advantage of new apps in Creative Cloud to further expand its capabilities. “The need for production of 3D graphics is growing year-by-year,” says Mr. Tanaka. “We look forward to being able to produce 3D models and characters using Adobe Fuse.”

Improved efficiency and license management

Increased management efficiency is also a positive outcome of introducing Creative Cloud for teams at TESS. “We’ve been released from the bother of managing a large number of serial numbers for packaged software, and there is no need to store paper manuals,” says Mr. Tanaka. “Simply selecting the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop applications that we want to use speeds up installation, and the expanded functionality of each application increases efficiency and reduces work time.”

All of the Creative Cloud applications can be processed at the same time from downloading to installation using the desktop application. Enabling users to select and install the applications that they prefer has been highly praised.

About TESS Co., Ltd.

The core of TESS’s business is engineering services. The company also performs a variety of other services including operation and maintenance of large-scale test equipment, questionnaires and statistical analysis for railway and other companies, and statistical analysis.

The Survey and Statistics Division in the Engineering Headquarters produces and sells training materials and manuals for safety countermeasures in the form of pamphlets, computer graphics, video, and other media based on the results of railway-related research. Representative products include Human Error Simulation Software (SimError Educational Version), Railway Technical Research Institute Accident Interview Investigation Techniques Manual (with DVD), and Pointing and Calling Effects Simulation Software (SimError Point and Call Version).