SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 12 -- Oak Technology, Inc., a leading provider of embedded solutions for digital imaging and digital home entertainment markets, today announced the availability of Integrated Print System (IPS) 6.0 PDL software, the company's latest advanced and feature-rich software solution for printers and multifunction peripherals (MFPs). This next-generation release meets the demanding requirements of the world's top-tier original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with features including OneImage common display list technology, new PostScript color features and enhanced PDF security. In the current competitive market climate, OEMs are challenged to maintain and enhance functionality while still controlling costs. To achieve this, many manufacturers are designing and developing their own controller platforms using firmware solutions such as IPS software. OEMs can quickly leverage this compatible and highly flexible solution while cost-effectively differentiating their products. New multi-bit color and grayscale marking engines have emerged that improve image quality while saving memory, requiring upgrades to PDL emulation solutions such as IPS software, to support multiple output color models. "The color office MFP market is among the fastest growing segments of the overall MFP market. Most of these devices will rely on faster engines, new marking technologies and tightly integrated controllers," said Brian Bissett, publisher and editor of The MFP Report industry newsletter. "In this competitive market space, it is essential to deliver new and advanced features to meet exacting customer requirements. Oak is meeting these challenges with the release of IPS 6.0, particularly by extending its color capabilities and enabling ever more powerful and less expensive controllers." Introduction of OneImage Common Display List Technology IPS 6.0's introduction of the common display list is a major advance. This enabling technology is shared between the PostScript imaging model (used by PostScript and PDF) and the PCL imaging model (used by PCL 5e, PCL 5C, and PCL XL). In addition to minimizing memory requirements, the common display list enables the implementation of multi-bit renderers for all Oak PDL emulations and extends the number of supported device color models, making IPS the preferred solution for even more printers and MFPs. New Color Functionality The IPS 6.0 release addresses the explosion of color output devices with the addition of several new features. IPS 6.0 supports press simulation in PostScript 3 files to allow color printers and MFPs to preview the appearance of color ink sets used by offset presses. It makes color calibration easier through direct support of ICC profiles in IPS/PS3 and a new Color Conversion Manager provides improved performance and quality for all PDL emulations. Enhanced PDF Security IPS 6.0 also introduces support for the security features of PDF 1.4 as part of IPS/PDF. These features include the use of 128-bit encryption keys, as well as options to restrict PDF printing by unauthorized users. "Only Oak offers a truly integrated, customizable PDL solution that supports all the dominant page description languages along with full access to source code. IPS is the clear choice for OEMs who seek advanced functionality, comprehensive compatibility and unmatched flexibility," said Tom Mager, vice president of software engineering, Oak Technology's Imaging Group. "For over 15 years, our engineering team has continually demonstrated our commitment to developing our page description language solutions by investing in and advancing them for our customers." Availability The IPS 6.0 release is available immediately and will be delivered as a general update to current maintenance agreement customers. For more information on Oak Technology and its industry-leading software solutions, please visit www.oaktech.com or contact a sales representative at 781-638-7500.