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Konica Minolta and EFI Deliver New, Advanced Fiery Server for Production Print Environments

Posted on: Thursday, 1 September 2005, 09:00 CDT

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) and EFI (Nasdaq:EFII), the world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for commercial and enterprise printing, today announced the availability of the newest, most advanced Fiery(R) server for the bizhub PRO C500. The unique modularity of the powerful Fiery IP-901 External Image Controller makes the 50-ppm bizhub PRO C500 an ideal solution in every production print environment: commercial print, light production, corporate reprographic departments, graphics-intensive (graphic arts, creative services, prepress/proof) and print for pay environments.

The newly enhanced Fiery IP-901 is the latest result of the successful, long-standing Konica Minolta-EFI relationship. Konica Minolta customers deploying Fiery technology experience seamless integration with other EFI-based products, including the industry's leading web-to-print solution, Digital StoreFront(TM), which recently won the 2005 BERTL's Best Innovation Award, and the MicroPress(R) ProSeries 7.0 production print workflow solution.

"Our bizhub PRO C500 customers in high volume environments ranging from commercial print to graphics-intensive offices have realized tremendous value with the Fiery server's superior color and productivity," said Kevin P. Kern, vice president, product planning and development, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "EFI's modular approach with the Fiery server enables us to offer the ideal solution for every bizhub PRO C500 customer -- and we are pleased to now offer the even greater efficiency, quality and reliability capabilities EFI has developed for the IP-901 External Image Controller."

"At 12 million users worldwide, Fiery is the undisputed market leader, and we believe that's because we constantly deliver valuable innovation that helps printers move their business forward," said Frank Mallozzi, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, EFI. "For Konica Minolta bizhub PRO C500 customers, we have advanced the IP-901's flexible, WYSIWIG workflow and now offer the printing optimizing capabilities of the new Fiery Production Printing Package to enable the absolute fastest output of the most complex documents."

The IP-901 External Image Controller combines a powerful hardware platform with versatile, integrated system software. The Fiery server's robust suite of color precision and control tools make it an indispensable tool for graphic arts professionals. Fiery VDP support and advanced workflow further enables the Konica Minolta C500 to satisfy the professional environment's most demanding production and quality requirements -- while maintaining superior dependability and flexibility.

The following describes the powerful features of the Fiery IP-901 External Image Controller, and the available options that ensure customization to each customer's specific requirements.

-- Fiery IP-901 Standard Configuration Key Features Fiery Command WorkStation(R), which recently won a 2005 BERTL's Best Award, sets the standard in centralized print job management with an intuitive interface and a variety of sophisticated, productivity-enhancing tools. Also available for the Macintosh operating system, Command WorkStation has the flexibility to be run on multiple client stations as well as locally when equipped with the optional Fiery Advanced Controller Interface kit. The Industry's Most Advanced Workflow -- The S300 Version 2 includes the highly flexible workflow for which the Fiery server is renowned. The IP-901 workflow is WYSIWYG and consistent, whether the job is VDP or non-VDP. Spot-On(R) Precision Color Matching with Substitute Color accurately reproduces named and custom colors, and modifies spot color values to achieve color matching with pinpoint precision. EFI Hot Folders automates batch processing of PostScript and PDF files. Auto-trapping -- Pre-production, configurable auto trapping settings enable greater flexibility and control, resulting in significant print quality improvements for different print environments. Driver-based Imposition -- this booklet maker offers comprehensive booklet imposition. Powerful Options that customize the Fiery IP-901 for any Professional Print Environment include: -- Graphic Arts Package, Premium Edition -- Going beyond the built-in Fiery graphic arts functionality inherent to the Fiery IP-901, this suite of applications enables preeminent color quality. Easily integrating into existing graphic arts workflows, the Graphic Arts Package, Premium Edition utilizes the most advanced tools for color proofing and control. Premium power tools include Image Viewer, which offers a fast, accurate softproofing interface that zooms to the dot cell level; file converters for Hot Folders to streamline job submission from other graphic arts workflows; advanced trapping settings; and control bars and post-flight reports for more sophisticated trouble-shooting and controlling output. -- Impose Fiery Edition. This WYSIWYG client/server-based imposition application enables entire documents to be imposed, edited and assembled quickly, before RIPping the files. Providing the unique ability to create an unlimited number of new custom imposition templates, Impose Fiery Edition is independent of platform, application and file format, and supports a wide variety of source documents, including all VDP languages. -- The Fiery Production Printing Package delivers unprecedented production management capability, functionality that is exclusively provided by EFI. The Package is a set of breakthrough job management and submission tools that enable the bizhub PRO C500 to deliver the fastest output for the most elaborate, complicated print jobs. -- The Fiery Production Printing Package also greatly abates the need for operator intervention and maximizes the full functionality of the bizhub PRO C500 finishing options. -- EFI Compose is integral to the Package as its advanced preview and editing capability readily handles complex composition. -- Paper Catalog is a system-based paper warehouse database included with the Package. Automating media control and easing operator intervention, Paper Catalog stores attributes of the entire media stock available at the warehouse of a production site. -- EFI Color Profiler(TM) -- This Fiery advanced color management tool is a color measurement solution for generating ICC-compliant device profiles, optimizing print quality and helping to produce color consistency between printers. Color Profiler provides the digital color hardware and software needed to intuitively create color profiles and deploy them in any workflow. The ES-1000 handheld spectrometer is included to instantly and accurately measure the full visible spectrum of light reflected from color samples. The ES-1000 can also be used as a densitometer to measure a printer's daily color fluctuations for calibration purposes. -- The Fiery Advanced Controller Interface kit enables Command WorkStation to be run locally at the Fiery, making it ideal for operator-centric environments. The Fiery stand, custom-designed furniture, is also included in this option.

Availability

The bizhub PRO C500 driven by the new Fiery IP-901 External Image Controller is now available through Konica Minolta's North American direct sales, authorized dealer and value-added reseller channels. The solution will be shown at Print 05, held at McCormick Place in Chicago Sept. 9-15, in Konica Minolta Booth 15005. More information can be found at www.biz.konicaminolta.com.

About Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., offers a broad range of multifunctional digital imaging solutions inspired by its bizhub(TM) brand of powerful solutions that serve as the central resource for document scanning, in-house printing, copying, faxing and electronic archiving and distribution. From high-quality color and monochrome bizhub systems for workgroups and small offices, to advanced high-volume bizhub PRO(TM) production printing systems for large corporations and print-for-pay services, Konica Minolta is leading the industry toward integrated, networked hardware/software solutions that are more simple, reliable, and cost-effective. Complementing its bizhub solutions, Konica Minolta also offers desktop laser printers, microform digital imaging systems, wide-format printers and scanning systems for specialized applications.

Headquartered in Ramsey, New Jersey, Konica Minolta delivers expert professional services and experienced, responsive client support, in addition to the world-class service provided through its extensive network of direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers and distribution partners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America. For more information, please visit Konica Minolta at http://www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us.

About EFI

EFI (www.efi.com) is the world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for commercial and enterprise printing. EFI's award-winning technologies offer end to end, integrated document management tools from creation to print, including high fidelity color Fiery(R) print servers that can output up to 2000 ppm; superwide digital inkjet printers and UV and solvent inks capable of printing on flexible and rigid substrates; powerful print production workflow and management information software solutions for increased performance and cost efficiency; and an array of corporate printing solutions. EFI's integrated solutions connect seamlessly, delivering unbeatable performance, cost savings and increased productivity. EFI maintains 22 offices worldwide.

NOTE TO EDITORS: EFI, Fiery and MicroProess are registered trademarks of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and/or certain other foreign jurisdictions. Digital StoreFront(TM) is a trademark of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Business Wire

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