EFI Connect Wraps Up in Vegas

Attendees traveled to Las Vegas from 37 nations for Connect 2017.

The halls of the Wynn Las Vegas were filled with Electronics For Imaging (EFI) customers once again this week attending EFI's 17th annual Connect users conference. They came from 37 nations to learn about EFI technology advancements, attend educational tracks, network with other users and hear some very interesting speakers. Both Quad/Graphics CEO Joel Quadracci and new Xerox CEO Jeff Jacobson were interviewed on stage by EFI CEO Guy Gecht in separate "fireside chats" (though the fireplace was printed).

CFO Mark Olin gave a State of the Products address.

IPG spotted a number of in-plant managers at the event from Arizona State University, The World Bank, Arlington County, Va., and Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, to name a few.

In his opening keynote on Tuesday, Gecht traced the history of Artificial Intelligence (AI) from Deep Blue, IBM's chess-playing computer, to today's self-driving cars, and noted that AI is the next big thing for the graphic arts industry. He noted that AI technology is accelerating at amazing speed and cited EFI's Printflow as an example of a learning software. Gecht also shared research showing the public's concerns about the possible dangers of AI. He brought some levity to his presentation by bringing out a wise-cracking "robot."

Attendees learned about EFI technology advancements, attended educational tracks and networked with other users.

In Connect's bustling solutions area, EFI debuted its largest soft-signage printer, the the 5.2-meter EFI VUTEk FabriVU 520, and introduced two new LED, roll-to-roll printers, the VUTEk 5r and 3r. EFI also unveiled version 5 of its Productivity Suite end-to-end workflow and highlighted next-generation EFI Fiery digital front end (DFE) production technologies. EFI gave a technology demonstration of a new, 65˝ wide wide-format LED inkjet hybrid roll/flatbed printer.

EFI also touched on upcoming technology advancements, like its AquaEndure eco-friendly aqueous inkjet technology for display graphics, and its new Nozomi C18000 single-pass LED inkjet corrugated board press, to be installed in the spring at the Spanish company Rafael Hinojosa S.A.

The advancements will continue, noted CFO Mark Olin in his State of the Products address on Wednesday.

"We have to continue to invest to drive the state of the art in Fiery, the state of the art in inkjet," he said.

Watch for a full EFI Connect report in the next issue of IPG.

Spotted World Bank's in-plant crew at #EFIConnect in Vegas pic.twitter.com/1CRoHSZtXe

— In-plant Impressions (@IP_Impressions) January 18, 2017

Jeff Jacobson: Xerox's biggest challenge is instilling passion, accountability in every member of the team pic.twitter.com/HyZ7OpnQX4

— In-plant Impressions (@IP_Impressions) January 18, 2017

More than half of EFI R&D investments go to inkjet, says Ken Hanulec #EFIConnect pic.twitter.com/xEmwAKArCN

— In-plant Impressions (@IP_Impressions) January 18, 2017

Joel Quadracci at #EFIConnect : marketing departments are frustrated. NOW is the time to approach them to take on their campaigns. pic.twitter.com/03V37IUBkN

— In-plant Impressions (@IP_Impressions) January 18, 2017

Fiery. 25 years and never stops driving new print engines worldwide. #EFIConnect pic.twitter.com/fqP3mL8IwO

— Italia Publishers (@italiapub) January 18, 2017

There's an upturn coming, but how can you prepare to participate fully in it? | Andy Paparozzi @Idealliance #eficonnect pic.twitter.com/Ocz25Ibqn6

— Printing Impressions (@PIConnects) January 19, 2017

.@Idealliance Andy Paparozzi | Digital revolution in communication has depressed the demand for our core services @EFIprint #EFIConnect pic.twitter.com/Y62LZzvUjl

— WhatTheyThink Printing News (@PrintingNews) January 19, 2017

Have you seen the wrapped Tesla here at #EFIConnect ? #vehiclewraps #digitalprint #wideformat pic.twitter.com/Tm9KUaH9g7

— Adrienne Palmer (@Adrienne_BigPic) January 19, 2017