Workflow/MIS/Web-to-Print

GHENT BELGIUM—July 21, 2008—Access to the comprehensive, best practice workflow specifications and resources are now easier than ever for printers, prepress professionals and designers as The Ghent Workgroup (GWG) unveils its newly streamlined, fast website, www.gwg.org. In addition the GWG, the international cross-section of PDF and print experts known for creating, testing, and releasing specifications and best practices that have been proven to make it easier for users to ensure PDF document quality across workflows around the world; announces newly elected officers to its executive committee. The www.gwg.org Website The latest version of the website has been completely revamped to address the expanding population

DIGITAL PRINTING technology had its strongest showing yet at Drupa 2008, the world’s largest graphic arts trade show. The two-week event, which took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, last month, lived up to its billing as “The Ink-jet Drupa,” with “green printing” being the only challenger as a show theme, since virtually every exhibitor touched on it. About 391,000 visitors prowled the 19 halls of Drupa this year, (see sidebar about in-plants that attended), checking out the 1,971 exhibitors from 52 countries. Most of the attention, though, centered on the new digital printing devices, particularly those in the ink-jet category—though with prices ranging from $1

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—June 4th, 2008—The International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4) Organization today announced the winners of the 2008 Jürgen Schönhut Memorial CIP4 International Print Production Innovation (CIPPI) Awards. The CIPPI awards are given annually to the applicant printer, publisher or prepress service with the most compelling case study in three topical categories and four regions. The winners are: • Metzgerdruck GmbH, Obrigheim, Germany — First Place, Best cost/benefit realization and improvement in efficiency as a result of process automation implementation • Cox Target Media, Inc., Largo, Florida, USA — Second Place, Best cost/benefit realization and

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY/MONTREAL, CANADA—June 2, 2008—With great regret Ultimate announces the loss of its president and founder, David Watson. David passed away after having a serious heart attack. Respected by the entire industry, David had already conducted a compass session at what was his 5th drupa. He was delighted to celebrate his company’s 20th anniversary there. Ultimate would like to thank the people that have given support and shown their sympathy. While their thoughts are with David’s family the Ultimate team expresses its determination to continue to revolutionize digital imposition based on the vision David had set out. With the mission to computerize

ROCHESTER, N.Y., MAY 2—More than 300 members of the Graphic Users Association (GUA) of Kodak Solutions gathered last week at the Wynn Las Vegas to learn about the latest techniques, products and best practices for advancing their graphic communications business. The GUA’s annual North American Conference, sponsored by Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group, included 50 presentations and roundtable discussions. Subject matter experts from Kodak and the GUA exchanged information with attendees on a wide range of topics, such as workflow, color relationship management, growing a digital print business, the impact of offset class inkjet, sustainability, transitioning from a printer to marketing services provider, trends in

VALHALLA, NY—April 28, 2008—Fujifilm Graphic Systems U.S.A., Inc. announced today that Masahiro Ota is the company’s new president and chief executive officer. Ota replaces Hiro Tada, who has taken a new position as president and chief executive officer with Fujifilm’s Medical Imaging Division. “Fujifilm is well-positioned to face this challenging market, thanks not only to our ability to produce quality, reliable plates and prepress equipment, but also our ability to integrate new technologies - such as digital printing and wide format imaging - into our customers’ operations,” said Ota. “I’m looking forward to the taking on the challenges of this new position and working

PITTSBURGH—April 3, 2008—The Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Center for Color Management assisting members with the implementation of color management and production color controls. The Center provides consulting, training, publications, and case-study evaluations of international print standards and printing reference conditions. The association reports that printers recognizing the power of color science, advanced technologies, and integrated systems consistently increase color accuracy and repeatability among various digital and print media devices, while also reducing production waste. Ken Rizzo (PIA/GATF, Director of Consulting and Custom Training) along with Joe Suffoletto, MS, CDPS (PIA/GATF, Senior Technical

CAMBRIDGE, MA—March 2008—Pageflex, a division of Bitstream Inc. (NASDAQ: BITS, www.bitstream.com) and a leading developer of enterprise variable data publishing and web-to-print solutions, and Avanti Computer Systems (www.avantisystems.com), a leading provider of print MIS solutions for the graphic arts industry, announced today the integration of two award-winning technologies: Avanti’s Graphic Arts Management System and Pageflex Storefront™ web-to-print software. This comprehensive solution provides a complete, streamlined workflow from online document customization and ordering in Pageflex Storefront through the print production environment to for printing, finishing and shipment. The first Avanti customer to implement the integrated technology is Associates Graphic Services (www.agsprint.com), a world-class printing solutions

Barr Systems Barr Enterprise Print Server: input/output management solution. Receives data from multiple sources (hosts, servers, network apps) and outputs to multiple destinations (network and production printers, archive, e-mail, Web). StreamTracer: high-speed print data stream comparison application for AFP, Metacode, LCDS, PostScript, and PDF formats. It displays “before” and “after” document snapshots side by side and highlights all differences. EFI With the Fiery open platform and compliance with industry standards such JDF, PDF, and PPML the Fiery seamlessly integrates into customers’ overall print shop operations, including offset/digital hybrid environments and third-party graphic arts workflows, including CTP environments. The Fiery server is integral

Agfa ColorTune X color management software solutions work in combination with measuring devices to generate accurate, ICC-compatible color profiles. QMS X (Quality Management System) checks the calibration and engine performance of Sherpa proofers in contract proofing applications. Every proofer in the workflow can be calibrated to achieve the same tonal response within predefined tolerances. Alterno color conversion tool broadens the CMYK color spectrum. It enables printers to standardize their presses on a self-defined ink set that extends the color gamut. EFI ColorWise in-RIP color management system provides a range of simple and expert-level tools. A standard component of Fiery color print servers, it includes