Workflow/MIS/Web-to-Print

AS ALTERNATIVE media threaten print volumes, in-plants must take another look at their business models and adapt to the changing business climate. Revenue growth will depend on cost reduction through new workflow efficiencies, as well as new revenue sources from value-added services. Although hardware improvements will certainly play a role in advancing these objectives, the software driving these devices—along with other workflow solutions—will allow printers to differentiate themselves. Research indicates a growing divide between service providers that are growing their businesses and those that see their businesses in decline. Those who “get it” understand that continued growth depends on a three-pronged approach:

BELGIUM—082707—Esko and Artwork Systems announce the completion of their merger transactions. The new combined business will go forward under the EskoArtwork brand, a name that reflects the strong heritage and broad customer base of the founding companies. EskoArtwork is the global market leader for innovative design, pre-production and collaboration solutions to the packaging industry. EskoArtwork also provides a broad range of workflow solutions to the commercial printing market, as well as the Enfocus suite of PDF tools for graphic designers and print production professionals. Bringing together the best products, people and practices of the integrated companies, EskoArtwork is ready to support its customers’ needs through

Markzware, a leading software publishing company, has donated licenses of a new software program to Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department. This will enable Cal Poly to upgrade its electronic printing and publishing laboratories. Markzware donated 64 licenses of FlightCheck Professional Version 6, valued at $32,000. This is a prepress application used to manage quality control for print jobs. The solution provides both native file and PDF preflight checking. FlightCheck is designed for creative designers, prepress departments, customer service representatives and graphics professionals in the digital print and publishing industries. The software helps prepare PDF and other documents for commercial printing. It helps save printers and publishers

KENNESAW, GA—August 7, 2007—Heidelberg will showcase its commitment to small print shop owners at Graph Expo 2007 with a dedicated Small Business solutions area in booth #1200 at McCormick Place in Chicago from September 9 -12. Small business printers can now find everything they need from one place, and Heidelberg will demonstrate many of their small business solutions, including prepress, press, postpress and workflow products, at the show. “Small businesses are the engine of the printing industry, and Heidelberg offers them the best technology available to remain competitive,” said Joerg Daehnhardt, director of product management for general commercial print, Heidelberg USA. “We recently added many

Companies to consolidate their global market position in pre-production products and services for packaging and printing GENT, BELGUIM—August 2, 2007—Esko and the three principal shareholders of Artwork Systems (Euronext Brussels: ARTS) today have reached an agreement whereby Esko and Artwork Systems will combine their operations. The resulting new entity, with estimated 2007 revenues in excess of EUR 180 million and a combined workforce of close to 1,000 professionals, consolidates the market leadership of both companies in packaging and printing pre-production products and services in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. On August 2, the three principal shareholders of Artwork Systems Group NV signed an

PARAMUS, NJ—JULY 24, 2007—In a July 20, 2007, letter to Adobe Systems, Inc. CEO Bruce Chizen, Joseph P. Truncale, president and chief executive officer of NAPL (www.napl.org), the trade association for excellence in graphic communications management, and Steve Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Quick Printers (NAQP), stated that their position regarding the Adobe/FedEx Kinko’s agreement remains as follows: Adobe should extricate itself from the agreement and remove the FedEx Kinko’s logo and embedded link from Adobe software in a timely manner. The letter followed a July 17, 2007, Print Advisory Forum held in San Francisco, CA, and

KENNESAW, GA—July 11, 2007—Heidelberg will focus on high-tech, high-performance solutions for companies of all sizes at the 2007 Graph Expo, where the print media industry leader will showcase the latest in graphic arts technology innovation. Booth visitors can experience Heidelberg’s commercial print, packaging, small business and workflow solutions at Booth #1200 at the tradeshow, which is being held in Chicago at McCormick Place on Sept. 9-12, 2007. “We believe that by blending our historic expertise in hardware with an equal commitment to optimizing efficiencies at all stages of the printing process, Heidelberg has become the only print technology provider capable of bringing the

ROCHESTER, NY—July 2—Kodak customers from the commercial printing, publishing, newspaper, data center, in plant, and creative markets gathered for information sharing, educational sessions and networking events at the 2007 Graphic Users Association (GUA) North American Conference. The event occurred May 30 to June 2, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Digital printing, mailing and TransPromo communications were new topics added to the more than 90 sessions that took place during four days. Guest speakers from Adobe, Apple, Business Resource Services, Four51 and the Direct Marketing Association made informational presentations. Other highlights included a full day of Kodak’s Network Symposium. The

PITTSBURGH—July 2, 2007—PIA/GATF has always viewed Adobe as a company that offers high-impact digital solutions to the entire print community. Over the years, their products and services have transformed the printing process from an analog to a digital workflow. This partnership between Adobe and the printing industry has resulted in not only significant improvements to graphic communications, but also millions of dollars for Adobe. Despite this positive and loyal relationship, it was disappointing to learn of Adobe’s partnership with FedEx Kinko’s. “When it was discovered that Adobe had made the decision to include a ‘send to FedEx Kinko’s’ button in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader,

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—06/13/2007—Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) clearly increased both sales and earnings in financial year 2006/2007 (April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007). “For the fourth year in succession, we have been able to draw on the upswing in the global economy and the resultant upward trend in our industry,” stated Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. “For the current financial year, we are expecting moderate growth in the volume of business,” he added. Sales by the Heidelberg Group during the period under review climbed six percent to 3.803 billion Euro (previous year: 3.586 billion Euro). The fourth quarter alone returned sales of 1.214 billion