ROCHESTER, NY, September 6, 2002 - Industry leading digital print vendors EFI, Hewlett-Packard, NexPress and Xerox will lead an array of companies at Graph Expo demonstrating a wide range of digital print applications using PPML. A self-guided tour will allow show visitors to see PPML, the Personalized Print Markup Language, being used in key applications that are proven money makers: - Direct Marketing, using PPML for lead generation and customer retention - Cost-effective Collateral on Demand using PPML - Transactional printing using PPML The tour is organized by PODi, the Digital Printing initiative (www.podi.org). Each participating booth will contain a "PPML Passport" easel with a drop box. After seeing a demonstration, attendees can have their passport signed and deposited in the drop box. All participants will be entered into a drawing to win a digital camera. Participants will also receive a free copy of PODi's acclaimed report Best Practices in Digital Print, Third Edition, which will be published in late October and will be made available for $495. This latest edition report will provide new insights into how a successful digital print campaign is conceived, designed and executed. The analytics are supported by dozens of case studies of successful real-world projects in digital print. PPML is the industry's first open, interoperable, multi-format print language for variable print. It is already supported by a dozen companies in different market segments. Development has been rapid: PPML 1.0 was developed in less than 18 months, and Versions 2.0 and 2.1 have been announced this year. "New PPML applications are being announced every few months," observes Rab Govil, president of PODi. "PPML is the fastest and most versatile language of its kind, substantially changing the value proposition for digital print. It's ideally suited for direct mail and fulfillment applications in the graphic arts, and is being expanded for high-volume computer output and photo finishing applications." Members of PODi's standards development group wrote the specification. The team consists of twenty-four leading technical and marketing figures from member companies including Executive Board members Adobe, Electronics for Imaging (EFI), Hewlett-Packard, IBM, NexPress and Xerox, and General Members Canon, Creo, Epson, Hitachi-Koki, Océ, Scitex Digital Printing, and Xeikon. Additional PODi members include Banta, Datalogics, Document Sciences, Edmond R&D, Exstream Software, GMC Software, Nimblefish, Objectif Lune, Pageflex, PrintSoft and Xmpie. Support for PPML 2.1 has been announced by the following companies: Adobe Systems Inc. Creo Electronics for Imaging (EFI) Hewlett-Packard NexPress Solutions LLC Xerox Banta Integrated Media Datalogics Edmond Research & Development Exstream Software GMC Software Technology IBM Printing Systems Pageflex, Inc. Xeikon International About PODi PODi leads the evolution of the digital printing infrastructure by promoting interoperability through standards and advances the opportunities in digital printing technology through market development activities including the publication of articles and industry speaking engagements. Membership in PODi is open to leading vendors and developers involved in digital printing. Additional information regarding PODi may be obtained by calling (585) 239-6063 or on the World Wide Web at http://www.podi.org.