July 26, 2005 - Appenzell, Switzerland and Boston, MA - GMC Software AG-the leading global provider of open standards document design, composition and production solutions for the service bureau, commercial print, finance, insurance, utility and telecom industries-will debut their recently released PrintNet Connect Web Services software suite at Booth # 6336 during PRINT '05 at Chicago's McCormick Place, from September 9 through 15. GMC staff will be on hand to demonstrate how PrintNet Connect provides a powerful, seamless, fully integrated solution for Web-based application integration. Organizations managing myriad documents, records and other information across disparate platforms and systems can now bring them all into the production process, regardless of their source. About Printnet Connect PrintNet Connect software is an innovative solution for the seamless production of both printed and electronic documents for businesses that are implementing a Web Services strategy. Companies that implement a Web Services strategy can maximize the benefits of standards-based enterprise computing, document production and both internal and external communications. By implementing Web Services applications into processes such as high-volume document production workflow-using PrintNet Connect-organizations can easily and quickly respond to new business opportunities. According to Rene Mueller, CEO of GMC Software AG, "PrintNet Connect enables a robust Web-based document production system that can lead to improved communication and faster, more cost-effective production processes. Both enterprises and commercial operations achieve higher efficiency through process automation, job consolidation and better asset utilization. As more organizations establish Web Services environments, PrintNet Connect fills the important role of making seamless document production available on a Web Services platform." Integrated Print And Web Presentment From A Single Platform PrintNet Connect works in concert with GMC PrintNet T software to drive multiple document-related applications from a single platform. Unlike some other Web applications, PrintNet users do not need separate platforms for Web and print based documents, variable data or statement processing and presentment. The PrintNet T platform encompasses all of the resources to compose and drive production of both printed and electronic documents and statements. There is no need to buy separate products for print versus web applications. Since work is driven from one central application, users don't need to understand the platform or application behind it, yet they can leverage its power for greater productivity. When PrintNet Connect is integrated into a corporate production environment, users can generate everything they need without having to call on IT resources. Branch offices and agents have easy, immediate access to document generation and production tools for greater efficiency and better customer service. Since the PrintNet application is transparent to users, it does not require any special skills and can be accessed via a Web browser; and its capabilities extend to all levels of users in geographically dispersed locations. Benefits For Corporations And Service Bureaus Alike Both corporate enterprises and commercial service bureaus benefit from the convenience of Web-based communication provided by PrintNet Connect-enabled Web Services. Enterprises and commercial operations can use their existing infrastructure and processes in more efficient and more productive ways, while providing an attractive alternative to manual operations. Aside from the advantage of being available to users possessing minimal technical skills, features such as automated template calling and background processing significantly improve consistency, while giving users more flexibility to do their jobs. Using PrintNet Connect, service bureaus can offer more convenience and value to customers through Web-based workflow. Corporations can develop tools such as direct mail or letter templates and use Web Services to make these tools available for their customers for the creation of customized materials. With PrintNet Connect, a typical user can have the ability to use a subset of PrintNet T from a Web page. From a user's perspective, it's simply a matter of making a request and receiving an answer-the behind-the-process functionality of PrintNet T is transparent. Even IT personnel don't require PrintNet experience because once set up, the process works automatically. Through PrintNet Connect Web Services, users can access the full functionality of PrintNet T, including previewing a PDF, image, or HTML file. The software can define a workflow to perform functions such as automatically sending a proof to the user, and it can balance loads automatically to ensure that jobs submitted are sent to the best available resource. PrintNet Connect enables remote calling of the PrintNet T server, which in turn activates any number of actions and processes related to document production. Communication is defined in terms of XML request / response messages; and XML messages can be received through a SOAP protocol via http request or via J2EE environments such as IBM WebSphere Message One, BEA Weblogic and Microsoft.NET. Service bureaus can now embrace small accounts that previously would not have been economically feasible. Handling these customers via a Web page template provides commercial operations with a new revenue stream that doesn't drain margins. Small jobs can be commingled for better postal rates, and the service bureau does not tie up staff with smaller, less profitable jobs. The result is a more streamlined, user-friendly and profitable document production environment, while enhancing overall customer satisfaction for all enterprise related communications.