hi afremiotti,
for cmyk proofing with the 7600/9600 i would always go with either
1) efi colorproof xf
2) perfectproof proofmaster
2) cgs oris color tuner
or if quality is more of concern that using a mac a must
4) gmg colorproof
personally i prefer efi's approach. the software is wonderfully integrated. profiling, iterative optimization of results and verifing the results va media wedges is a piece of cake – plus the software can grow when you need more options (fiery, file export, one-bit, etc...). another thing that's amazing is the client-server approach - you can have a mac client using a pc server. a pc client running a pc server - or any combination...
as you mentioned you want to have something in your hands that indicates thta the proof is OK – then go for the color verifier. any job can be set up to: a) print using FOGRA/SWOP (or any other norm) standards, then you can measure these with NO settings or information to be entererd/transfered manually using the color verifier and a label or a short/detailed report can be printed. we have, never, ever have anyone asking whether the proofs are accurate - might sound strange but sinve we have these fancy labels on the proofs no one ever asked abou the colors. peaople just want to believe in certificates* :-)))
proofmaster and colortuner are fine as well – for me the integration of the various tools is not that well done. plus the mac edition is usually some time behind or missing essential functions.
gmg – way of not using icc-profiles (altough the app is very, very well icc-complient) is way cool. unfortunately it's pc-only and the learning curve is quite awsome. plus it's very, very hard to generate calibrations and profiles from scratch. if you can life with "standard" materials: ok. but if you need various "weird" materials or exotic printers/proofs – pass on this one...
hope this helps a bit...
lorenz
* and yes you could print BAD colors and the label on the proof says something like printed by morons, proof failed – whatsoever - people will love the label and take the proof for good :-)))