Pittsburgh, PA, July 16, 2009 -- Mark Stevens, CEO of management consulting and marketing firm MSCO and also a popular journalist and media commentator, will be one of two keynote speakers at the Printing Industries of America's upcoming Converge Conference. Stevens will share tactics to help graphic communications firms become marketing resources for their clients, especially as those clients are often lacking good marketing know-how. 

The Converge Confernce takes place November 7-10, 2009, at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida.

Stevens is the author of many books, including Your Marketing Sucks, which challenges marketers' conventional wisdom in favor of new tactics and a step-by-step approach to analyzing a company's marketing efforts.Other books include Your Management Sucks, The Big Eight, King Icahn, and Sudden Death: The Rise and Fall of EF Hutton.  His blog, "Unconventional Thinking," was recently named in the Top 10 of all marketing-related blogs.
 
Communication expert and author Sue Hershkowitz-Coore will keynote the first day of the conference with practical advice on how to perfect the sales conversation regarding new marketing support ideas,  especially in the face of skepticism from customers stuck in old paradigms.  She is the author of two top-selling books on selling, the latest being How to Say It to Sell It: Key Words, Phrases, and Strategies to Build Relationships, Boost Revenue, and Beat the Competition!

A New Converge Conference
The Converge Conference - The Next Generation of Print and Communication Services - is designed for the new breed of company that is integrating the components of conventional and digital print, web technology, automated workflow, personalized and cross-media campaigns, mailing services, and more.
 
 The conference web pages (www.printing.org/converge) feature a variety of innovative features indicative of the cross-media skills graphic communications firms can offer clients. Visitors and conference registrants have the ability to interact with the site, receive personalized treatment, connect to social media pages, and watch videos. The videos record the thoughts of five print executives on their companies' transitions to becoming marketing support partners to their customers.

The Direct Marketing Association will also be offering a one-day version of its well-known Direct Marketing Institute at the conference for print professionals who need a broad-based understanding of direct marketing. The course will cover key principles, offers, creative, list/database and targeting, and research/testing, with an emphasis on mail and the Internet.  
 
The conference is presented in partnership with IPA, the Association of Graphic Solutions Providers, Digital Printing Council, Direct Marketing Association (DMA), and Printing Impressions magazine.
 
The Converge Conference is the successor to Printing Industries of America's former Variable Data and Personalization and Workflow Conferences. For more information about the 2009 Converge Conference, contact Jeanette Tuttle-Hamer at 412-259-1712 or jtuttle-hamer@printing.org.

Pittsburgh, PA, July 23, 2009—Printing Industries of America is pleased to present detailed information on the 2009 InterTech™ Technology Award recipients. Twenty-one nominations were submitted from eighteen domestic and international companies, and nine innovative technologies were selected to receive the award.

The independent panel of judges deliberated over technology submissions ranging from process control tools to MIS applications to digital and offset presses. A recurring theme with 2009 InterTech nominations was process efficiency, integration, and improved manufacturing performance through use of the innovative technologies. Great strides in technology were demonstrated in four primary areas in the form of innovative workflow integration and implementation, digital press design, color matching across devices and management of color data, and improved user operation resulting in reduced makeready time and cost.

The coveted InterTech stars, recognized as a symbol of technological innovation and excellence, will be presented before an impressive audience of industry leaders during the 2009 Printing Industries of America Premier Print Awards and InterTech Awards Gala, September 13, in Chicago, Illinois.

A technology review booklet showcasing all twenty-one of the current year’s entries will be produced by Graphic Arts Monthly for release in Fall 2009; the booklet will also be available on www.printing.org/InterTech.

For more information about the InterTech Technology Awards, contact Mark Bohan, Printing Industries of America Vice President, Technology and Research, at 412-259-1782, intertech@printing.org, or visit www.printing.org/InterTech.

The 2009 InterTech™ Technology Award recipients are:
(Listed alphabetically by company, with the technology named first)

ORIS Press Matcher™
CGS Publishing Technologies International
ORIS Press Matcher quickly, accurately, and automatically transforms the color data within digital files so that the resulting printed output—from digital presses, conventional printing presses, wide-format printers, and other devices—is consistent and gamut-optimized over multiple runs, visually matching across multiple digital devices, and visually matching between offset and digital devices. ORIS Press Matcher is an improvement on conventional ICC-based color matching, which can be inaccurate, subject to device inconsistencies, and often requires time-consuming “tweaking” to produce acceptable printed results.
The judges commented that this technology allows the user to easily and quickly color match across multiple devices across processes regardless of the user’s color management experience level. It takes significant time out of the process, and, as shown in the blind evaluations by printers, produces good color matches in minimal time. The software can be used by many different sized companies. This technology allows for a new level of consistency to be achieved and brings color management into a whole new realm.

KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Printing System
Eastman Kodak Company

KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Printing takes place in-line and produces raised or 3D text and images that can be set to specific heights. The result is a tactile effect that creates a dimensional feel that mimics the surface of the items depicted in the image. For example, customers can print an image of an orange that feels like an orange or wood grain that feels like wood grain.
Using the KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Printing System helps print providers create a competitive advantage by offering a unique capability that extends digital color printing into new application areas. This enables them to differentiate themselves and take advantage of the opportunity to sell higher value print.
The judges felt this technology opens up new markets for digital printing, allowing personalization in regards to image, content, and now texture. It creates a “wow” factor for the piece, making it stand out in a competitive marketplace. This is what marketers are constantly looking for. The KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Printing System is a game-changing technology. 

KODAK PRINERGY Digital Workflow
Eastman Kodak Company

KODAK PRINERGY Digital Workflow provides an intuitive and direct way for operators to dynamically sort and access jobs. From one operator station, an operator can plan and schedule print jobs for any number of presses. Before the job is launched, the operator can view the number of hours of printing that are scheduled for each digital press and track ink and paper status. It allows for centralized control over digital printing. This system optimizes the digital workflow and maximizes the available press capability.
The judges were impressed by the Rules Based Automation (RBA) aspect of this technology. Effective use of this eliminates processes, simplifies the production, and automates procedures regardless of the level of complexity. Using RBA, many errors are eliminated, touch points disappear, and the process is much faster. This is absolutely critical in today’s digital print production process where the jobs have to be processed as efficiently as possible. When integrated with KODAK Unified Workflow Solutions, zero-touch automation is achieved.  

System 100 Software
Ebiz Products LLC

System 100TM is browser-based business process management software, designed to eliminate reruns, bottlenecks, chaos and other waste in a company. It brings order to workflow through a systematic approach and empowers people to work at maximum efficiency. This software has the capability to be used as a tool to improve a company’s existing workflow and reduce the chaos of production. System 100TM is able to revitalize and even turnkey any type or size operation in a matter of months.  
The judges were impressed by how this technology acts as a “brain trust” for all of the technical aspects of a business, whereas other solutions just focus on sales information and how to manage it. This builds on the skills and capabilities of the technical staff within the company. With this technology, their expertise and knowledge does not leave the company when they do. There is a structure in place to address problems when they occur, investigate the cause, suggest remedies, and then alter workflow—all in one seamless operation. 

FUJIFILM Taskero Universe ColorPath Verified Technology
FUJIFILM Graphic Systems U.S.A., Inc.

Taskero Universe ColorPath Verified Technology monitors, verifies, and collects data about proofers, wide-format devices, digital presses, offset presses, displays, and environmental conditions. Taskero ColorPath Verified aggregates the data to a central database, which is accessible via the Web portal. From the Web portal you can receive email alerts, research problems, receive reports, and display device trending.
The judges commented on how this is a paradigm shift in how we use data to control production. The data is now all in a centralized location, identifying issues before they cause problems. It also greatly helps with the troubleshooting of color issues throughout production. All of the color information is collected without the addition of new measurements or additional steps in production being collected behind the scenes during the existing production process. In addition, customers are asking for statistical data on their production, and this provides that data without having to do any additional processes. With this technology, the same actions are now gathering more useful and productive information.

Heidelberg Prinect Press Center
Heidelberg

The Prinect Press Center was designed to allow all tasks—from job preparation and press setup to print sheet measurement and evaluation—to be accomplished faster, more accurately, and with greater reliability. This platform makes it easy for operators to keep track of the entire printing process, including the activation/deactivation of printing, dampening, inking, and coating units.
Intellistart is a process oriented, wizard-based operating program that provides improvements to the makeready by automating tasks and preparing for the next job while the previous one is finishing. The Wallscreen is a unique component that among other features, provides the user with an animated overview of all press processes in one location, allowing the user to see and control a job from one screen.
The control of a press is a complex and involved process, and the judges felt that the Prinect Press Center helps to drive down makereadies and improve the control of the press by focusing on the unique user interface. The overview of the entire press allows the operator fast and effective analysis of issues, allowing more effective solutions to be developed. This technology is a solution to a problem that has challenged the industry for a number of years.

Diamond Color Navigator
Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (MLP U.S.A., Inc.)

Diamond Color Navigator is a new color adjustment interface that allows press operators to perform color adjustments both prior and during printing by using their own intuitive color sense rather than attempting to interpret the CMYK balance necessary to achieve a desired color match. Through a single operation, the operator can color balance an entire image or sections of the image without the need for manual ink key adjustments. Lesser experienced operators are able to isolate very specific areas of the image that need adjusting and then select a specific shade from a color wheel rather than guessing which percentages of process colors will achieve the requested shade. The system then automatically moves all the appropriate keys on each print unit to yield the selected color.
The judges felt this new approach to color adjustment allows for more effective use of the press by all of the operators. The reduction in the steps will also drive down costs through improved makeready times and effective control. How many times has the customer asked, “Can you make this area bluer?” Now the technology is there to allow this to happen in one easy move. This is a great step forward in the control of a press.

Xeikon 3300 Digital Color Label Press
Punch Graphix Americas, Inc.

The Xeikon 3300 Digital Color Label Press offers a significant improvement in label printing quality with its 1200 dpi (four bits per spot) resolution, which is unique. It can print on scalable widths and a wide range of substrates from self-adhesive films, including co-extruded film, to unsupported film, paper, transparent and opaque foils, and paperboard with substrate weights ranging from 1.6 mil to 16-point board. The Xeikon 3300 easily handles monthly duty cycles of up to 2.3 million linear feet and has no frame size restrictions, resulting in higher productivity and throughput. It features full rotary technology where the speed of the press is independent of the label size and the number of colors used.
As the judges commented, the resolution of the printer at 1200 dpi is one of the benefits of the device, coupled with the productivity that can be achieved. The high resolution allows the introduction of different features into the production, including security features that are becoming increasingly more important with the counterfeiting of products. This technology allows the digital printer to effectively enter new markets and challenge existing printing technologies for label production.

Flex-Production Control System
SoftSolutions, Inc.

Flex-Production Control System (Flex-PCS) is a workflow engine for connecting existing equipment with existing front-office MIS applications integrating JDF workflows with those that do not support this. The open API base for the technology allows integration with many different devices and applications. SoftSolutions’ Flex-PCS provides a “rules engine” for automated production workflows and real-time communications between front office planning systems and shop floor execution results.
Flex-PCS provides the bridge that can connect with machine counters and weigh scales to automate count control and job costing and then integrate with existing MIS and estimating systems. Budget to actual reporting and real-time alerts and notifications provide a powerful extension to MIS systems and both legacy and new equipment.
The judges said the open API approach is something the industry has been searching for, and this system solves many of the integration problems. SoftSolutions’ product strategy allows for full integration across the whole production environment independent of the existing device capabilities. This expands on the real-time feedback that is provided by the existing MIS to provide actual production data that can be used to optimize and manage based on the machine, consumables used, or operators.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 27, 2009—The Print Sales & Marketing Executives (S&ME) and Aspire For is pleased to announce The 30 Day Sales Challenge.

Why aren’t you selling more? Is it the economy? Pricing? No time? Can’t overcome objections? Whatever the answer, we have the solution for you. The 30 Day Sales Challenge is designed for all sales associates, regardless of skill or experience level. The core of the program is to infuse the value of daily sales activities—setting goals, accountability for commitment, and the power of networking.

“This program has awakened my enthusiasm!”
—Tom Timmons, Kubin-Nicholson

The 30 Day Sales Challenge generates serious sales momentum by utilizing both group networking dynamics mixed with one-on-one tailored feedback. The program harnesses and reinforces the behaviors and practices that are essentials for a successful and profitable sales team.

“I just closed a $14,000 order and expect to close on an additional $30,000 piece of business. The client was thoroughly impressed with my consultative approach versus the traditional sales call. This program helped me to be more aggressive in going after the business I want instead of waiting for it to come to me.”
—Larry Murphy, Murphy Printing

Sales performance is a daily challenge faced in a complex and unpredictable business environment. The 30 Day Sales Challenge was developed to provide sales professionals with the necessary tools, models, techniques, and best practices to accelerate sales growth.

“I took the sales challenge and I have seen an exponential increase in sales activity thanks to this program. I am doing more quoting and closing more business that I have in years.”
—Paul McDonald, Agilaire Print/Packaging/Logistics

For more details on The 30 Day Sales Challenge, please visit www.printing.org/sme or contact Bill Farquharson at 781-934-7036 or via email at bill@aspirefor.com.

STAMFORD, Conn., July 27, 2009 - Pitney Bowes Japan has announced it has entered into a new relationship with Canon Marketing Japan Inc. that will enable Canon to sell the Pitney Bowes DM100 postage meter to small- and medium-size businesses throughout Japan.

Spi Binding Co., Inc., located in Darlington, Indiana, has provided high quality wire spiral, wire-o, plastic coil, and plastic comb mechanically bound products to the printing industry for the past 26 years.  The company purchases raw filament and forms plastic coil in-house to match the requirements of each project.  Equipped with both high-speed automatic equipment, as well as hand fed equipment,. Spi Binding prides itself on being able to meet its customers’ delivery dates and meet or exceed their quality standards.   We utilize both automatic and semi-automatic binding equipment to provide the company with a binding capacity of approximately 10,000 books per day in either wire-o or plastic coil based on thickness of the project.  Read the complete interview.

Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) announced today second-quarter 2009 results that include earnings per share of 16 cents and $609 million in operating cash flow.

Agfa Graphics N.V. is the owner of an important number of key patents in the field of digital printing plates. Over the past two years Agfa Graphics has contacted a number of competitors in order to obtain compensation for the infringement of Agfa Graphics' intellectual property. In the cases where no settlement is in view, Agfa Graphics is taking or preparing legal action.

Best Practice Business Tips from Xerox for Healthcare Organizations: In healthcare, administrative expenses are on the rise and pressure to cut costs a top priority. To remedy these challenges, Xerox recommends ...

To businesses facing an investigation or litigation, the legal discovery process evokes nightmares of time consuming and expensive searches through old files, phone records and e-mail chains. To ensure critical e-mails are not overlooked, Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) today unveiled E-mail Analytics, a new e-discovery tool that tracks e-mail communication patterns, often revealing information previously unknown to a case.

Xerox Corporation's (NYSE: XRX) ColorQube™ 9200 Series multifunction printer (MFP) received an Outstanding Achievement Award from Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI) for its innovative pricing structure, ease of use and environmental benefits. The honor marks the third industry award bestowed on the world's first high-speed solid ink MFP since it was launched in May.

TORONTO, July 21, 2009 - Life Sciences organizations in need of better patient mobilization and adherence marketing solutions can benefit from a new, highly customizable, patient-centric solution provided by Digital Cement, a relationship marketing company and subsidiary of Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) “Patient mobilization" refers to the consumer action of seeking information and physician advice on specific health issues, treatments and medications. “Patient adherence" refers to how closely patients comply with physician-prescribed courses of treatment, including prescription dosage.

Employees of Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) have demonstrated once again that what is good for the environment is also good for business. The company's 16th annual Earth Awards honored projects from around the globe that collectively totaled $7.3 million in cost savings, more than 1.3 million pounds in waste elimination, and 500,000 KWH in energy reduction.

Agfa Graphics today announced that they reached an agreement with Kemtek Imaging Systems Ltd. for the distribution, service and support of Agfa Graphics' product range for commercial printers in Southern Africa.

Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) is pumping up productivity for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) with a new black-and-white multifunction printer (MFP), loaded with high-end features not commonly found on an entry-level MFP.

Pittsburgh, PA, July 15, 2009—Printing Industries of America is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 InterTech™ Technology Awards. For over thirty years, recipients of this prestigious award have not only had a major impact on the graphic communications industry, but they also consistently prove to be successful in the commercial marketplace.

The independent panel of judges deliberated over technology submissions ranging from process control tools to MIS applications to digital and offset presses. A recurring theme with 2009 InterTech nominations was process efficiency, integration, and improved manufacturing performance through use of the innovative technologies. Great strides in technology were demonstrated in four primary areas in the form of innovative workflow integration and implementation, digital press design, color matching across devices and management of color data, and improved user operation resulting in reduced makeready time and cost.

Recipients were recognized from across a wide spectrum of printing processes and production areas. Twenty-one nominations were submitted, and nine innovative technologies were selected to receive the award.

The 2009 InterTech Technology Award recipients are:
(Listed alphabetically by company, with the technology named first)

ORIS Press Matcher™
CGS Publishing Technologies International

KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Printing Systems
Eastman Kodak Company

KODAK PRINERGY Digital Workflow
Eastman Kodak Company

System100 Software
Ebiz Products LLC

FUJIFILM Taskero Universe Color Path Verified Technology
FUJIFILM Graphic Systems U.S.A., Inc.

Heidelberg Prinect Press Center
Heidelberg

Diamond Color Navigator
Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (MLP U.S.A., Inc.)

Xeikon 3300 Digital Color Label Press
Punch Graphix Americas, Inc.

Flex-Production Control System
SoftSolutions, Inc.

Detailed award recipient information will follow in a press release slated for distribution the week of July 20, 2009. A technology review booklet showcasing all twenty-one of the current year’s entries will be produced by Graphic Arts Monthly for release in Fall 2009; the booklet will also be available on www.printing.org/InterTech.

The coveted InterTech stars, recognized as a symbol of technological innovation and excellence, will be presented before an impressive audience of industry leaders during the 2009 Printing Industries of America Premier Print and InterTech Awards Gala, September 13 in Chicago, Illinois.

For more information about the InterTech Technology Awards, contact Mark Bohan, Printing Industries of America Vice President, Technology and Research, at 412-259-1782, intertech@printing.org, or visit www.printing.org/InterTech.

About Printing Industries of America: Printing Industries of America is the world’s largest graphic arts trade association, representing an industry with more than one million employees. It serves the interests of more than 10,000 member companies. Together with its nationwide affiliate network, Printing Industries delivers products and services that enhance the growth, efficiency, and profitability of its members and the graphic communications industry through advocacy, education, research, and technical information.

Printing Industries of America
Contact:
Mark Bohan
intertech@printing.org
+1 412-259-1782

Media Contact:
Helene Smith
smith@helenesmith.com    
+1 321-388-6511

STAMFORD, Conn., July 14, 2009 - Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI) announced today that it has been certified by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to participate in a new cargo screening program at its international mail services facilities. The company’s Certified Cargo Screening Facilities will utilize advanced scanning technology and certified mail security personnel to help international mailers expedite their mail and pack

Xerox (UK) Limited and The Danwood Group Limited today announced the creation of a strategic partnership with The Danwood Group appointed as a nationwide authorized reseller and service provider of the Xerox range of industry-leading products and solutions.

STAMFORD, Conn., July 08, 2009 - While the current economic recession has forced companies to re-evaluate their business models and overall document spend, it also has started to cause companies to shift their investments toward outsourcing and partnering to better control document costs, according to a survey of key business decision-makers by InfoTrends, Inc., prepared for Pitney Bowes Management Services, Inc. (PBMS), a wholly owned subsidiary of

Pittsburg, PA, July 9, 2009—The Print & Graphic Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) and Illinois State University announce availability of a joint study examining how students (PGSF recipients) were influenced to pursue a career in print production/graphic communication.  The results of the study suggest the most effective methods for increasing the number of high-achieving students seeking professional opportunities in the industry.   (Click HERE for a whitepaper detailing the study and results).

The resulting data strongly suggests that “high-touch” experiences are required to motivate students to pursue graphic communication careers. High school graphic communication classes were the strongest influence for students to choose college majors in graphic communication.

According to Dr. Dan Wilson of Illinois State University and co-author of the study, “With trends toward eliminating the printing equipment in many graphic communication high school programs across the nation, the pool of high achieving young people choosing graphic communication majors may dwindle. Keeping these programs strong requires a commitment of support at the grassroots level. Also, graphic communication companies who hire high school and college students for summer or part-time work are likely to have a positive influence.”

For information regarding PGSF or scholarship applications, contact Bernie Eckert, PGSF administrator, 200 Deer Run Road, Sewickley, PA 15143-2600, 412-259-1740, or beckert@printing.org.