CHICAGO, Sept. 7, 2001  -- Commercial printers who need qualified partners to help them complete a complex print job or outsource a service can now find the right match through a new referral service offered through Xerox Corporation's Premier Partners community. The referral service - just one of the items available on the Premier Partners new Web site, www.ppcommunity.com - ensures that printers never have to say no to a print job, even if they don't own the required equipment or even operate in the right country. "The referral service adds value for our members by giving them more flexibility and extending their global revenue opportunities, since they can deliver on customer requirements, no matter what the job entails," said Elaine Wilde, senior vice president and general manager, Xerox Worldwide Graphic Arts Business. Each Premier Partner has an online profile listing its expertise, services and production capabilities by location. The referral service will be user friendly, and will allow members to choose and deal directly with print providers on terms, conditions and price to help them complete customer jobs. With 400 members worldwide, the global Xerox Premier Partners e-community has been enhancing its portfolio of resources so graphic arts professionals can share knowledge and exchange business. In addition to the referral service, the Premier Partner community has expanded its knowledge service offerings. Building on its recent selection of NAPL (National Association for Printing Leadership) as a key content provider for the program, Xerox is adding new services from WhatTheyThink.com and Tecstra Systems. "In addition to premium news coverage from WhatTheyThink.com, Xerox's Premier Partners will have access to special content areas such as exclusive articles by top writers in the industry, links to top product reviews and on-demand, custom advice from a panel of leading experts," said Randy Davidson, president of WhatTheyThink.com. Meanwhile, Tecstra will offer the Graphics Edviser, a personalized e-knowledge tool for graphic arts professionals seeking a performance support system and providing education and advice as they accomplish their daily tasks. The Edviser has two main components: a glossary providing access to terms, definitions and illustrations, and a resource guide containing extensive graphic arts content. Premier Partner members will have access to 150 courses and links to 50 international graphic arts universities. Other benefits include free downloads, white papers, industry briefs, case studies, Marketing Partnership Program courses, forums and discussion groups. Examples of upcoming courses will focus on selling skills: "Expanding Your Markets - Variable Data Print" and "Expanding Your Markets - Selling Digital Color" will be held in California, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio and Washington, D.C. During Print 01, Xerox will meet with its Premier Partners to update them and gain input on the program. There also will be ongoing daily sessions at the Xerox booth (8805) for prospective members to learn about the value of Xerox Premier Partners and how to join. Graphic arts professionals may register at www.ppcommunity.com.