FOSTER CITY, Calif.--March 7, 2006-- EFI, the world leader in digital controllers, superwide format printers and inks and print management solutions, today announced that their newest, powerful Fiery technology will help drive the new imagePASS-S1 print controller for the recently introduced imageRUNNER Digital Imaging Systems from Canon U.S.A., Inc., the nation's market share brand leader in black-and-white and color copier solutions(i). Fiery technology powers the imagePASS-S1 with advanced production and workflow control capabilities ideal for central reproduction departments, print-for-pay establishments, and print-on-demand environments where high-speed production is required. Providing advanced print functionality for high-volume document production, the Fiery-based imagePASS-S1 print controller is an optional unit designed to drive the 105-pages per minute (ppm)(ii) imageRUNNER 7105 model, 95-ppm(ii) imageRUNNER 7095 copier-based model, 95-ppm(ii) imageRUNNER 7095 printer-based model, and 86-ppm(ii) imageRUNNER 7086 model. "The Fiery technology behind the imagePASS-S1 helps our new imageRUNNER Digital Imaging Systems deliver higher levels of functionality and readily handle the sophisticated applications common in production and high volume office environments," said Sam Yoshida, director and general manager, Corporate Systems Division, Canon U.S.A. "This new print controller continues EFI's legacy of supplying innovative solutions, and assisting Canon in delivering top-quality products for our customers." The new Fiery-based Canon imagePASS-S1 print controller helps deliver consistent high quality output and workflow innovation. The imagePASS-S1's powerful core features include EFI's multiple award-winning Command WorkStation and deliver an optimal workflow for high volume environments. The following are key features of the Fiery-driven imagePASS-S1: -- Fiery Command WorkStation, which won a 2005 BERTL's Best Award, sets the standard in centralized print job management with an intuitive interface and a variety of sophisticated, productivity-enhancing tools. Available for both PC and Macintosh operating systems, Command WorkStation has the flexibility to be run locally, as well as on multiple client stations. -- Improved Security -- Fiery security features for the Canon imageRUNNER Digital Imaging Systems include: -- Secure Erase to remove all traces of job data from the Fiery hard disk drive; -- IP Filtering to control access to the printing device; -- Port Blocking to control access to the Fiery through remote management; -- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Version 3 provides the level of security required for government and large corporations and allows the Fiery administrator to prevents unauthorized users from accessing the Fiery. -- Variable Data Printing -- The Fiery-based imagePASS-S1 provides industry-leading VDP performance, enabling Canon imageRUNNER Digital Imaging Systems customers to efficiently create customized marketing campaigns. Built on Fiery FreeForm, the EFI variable data solution integral to imagePASS-S1 enables the imageRUNNER systems to seamlessly integrate into existing variable data workflows and ensures consistency regardless of whether the job is VDP or non-VDP. Other EFI options available for the imagePASS-S1 server include: -- EFI Hot Folders -- improves productivity by automating the job submission process and batch processing PostScript and PDF files. -- EFI Impose, Fiery Edition is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) client/server-based imposition application that enables entire documents to be imposed, edited and assembled quickly, before RIPping the files. Providing the unique ability to create an unlimited number of new custom imposition templates, this feature is independent of platform, application and file format, and supports a wide variety of source documents, including VDP. "With the Fiery-based imagePASS-S1, the EFI/Canon relationship continues to deliver high-value product innovations to Canon customers," said Mehran Farimani, senior vice president and general manager, Server and Controller Solutions, EFI. "The new print controller provides a powerful yet flexible workflow that removes unnecessary complexity and unites multiple functions into a single integrated, high performance system. With Fiery technology, imageRUNNER customers have exactly what they need to produce jobs at the highest speed possible, with consistently high image quality." The imagePASS-S1 joins the Fiery-based ColorPASS series and the EFI Digital StoreFront web-to-print solution for Canon, among other products, in the companies' portfolio of joint solutions for business, commercial and enterprise print operations. Digital StoreFront provides a personalized, interactive intranet or Internet presence 24 hours a day, and offers a complete, streamlined workflow from the document creator, through the print production environment, to finishing and delivery. Digital StoreFront, winner of the 2005 Bertl's Best Innovation Award, is available from Canon as a fully integrated option for imageRUNNER customers deploying the imagePASS-S1. Availability EFI solutions designed for Canon U.S.A. are available through authorized Canon U.S.A. dealers, select distributors, and Canon imaging resellers at 1-800-OK-CANON and http://www.usa.canon.com.