VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Sept. 25 -- IKON Office Solutions today announced it has entered into an agreement with Electronics For Imaging under which IKON intends to expand its commitment to help customers communicate business information more effectively by leveraging the EFI Velocity(TM) modular software suite. IKON anticipates that Velocity will serve as an intrinsic component of IKON's distributed output management strategy that enables enterprises to more effectively manage the total printing process. This includes monitoring, tracking and controlling the delivery of hardcopy and electronic information across print engines, fax machines/servers, e-mail systems, networks, intranets and the Internet. "Our customers are looking for a better way to manage the flow of information throughout the print production process,'' said Richard Brock, Vice President of Digital Office Solutions and Product Development for IKON Office Solutions. "IKON and EFI can help companies create process efficiencies in areas such as device configuration, job accounting, cluster printing and remote print on demand through the Velocity workflow software. In doing so, IKON can help improve IT resource allocation, employee satisfaction, enterprise-wide communication and, ultimately, customer service.'' "Our Velocity workflow software offers a powerful solution for improving production workflow and maximizing productivity in multi-engine environments,'' said Frank Mallozzi, VP of Worldwide Sales, Electronics For Imaging. "We are delighted to work in partnership with IKON to bring this innovative workflow solution to their customers.'' IKON intends to utilize EFI's suite of Velocity software modules to improve customer workflow routed to copiers and printers driven by EFI's industry-leading controllers, including EDOX, Fiery, ColorPASS and imagePASS. IKON will offer Velocity in two configurations: Velocity Balance(TM) and the full Velocity suite, which includes Velocity Balance, Velocity Scan(TM), Velocity Build(TM) and Velocity Estimate(TM). Velocity Balance is designed to cluster up to ten printers/copiers into one automated workflow, allowing users to split jobs between color or monochrome printers, load balance large jobs and perform automatic error re-direct functions. IKON also intends to integrate these capabilities into its facilities management offerings for on-site managed document services. The three additional Velocity workflow modules -- Scan, Build and Estimate -- offer enhanced productivity and efficiency in other critical print workflow processes from scanning of paper originals to document preparation to job costing capabilities. "EFI's Velocity workflow software is designed to meet the growing demands of print shops and corporate printing managers in the digital information age,'' said Cary Sherburne, Vice President of Marketing Communications, IKON Office Solutions. "With this new offering, IKON can further equip customers with the most efficient production and outsourcing capabilities. The productivity and cost efficiency inherent in streamlined workflow will undoubtedly help our customers to improve their ability to send, receive and act on essential information.''