May 04, 2006 – Boston, MA and Philadelphia, PA – GMC Software Technology, setting the New Standard for personalized customer communications, announces the inaugural North American showing of PrintNet T Version 4.4, during the On Demand Conference and Exposition at the Philadelphia Convention Center, May 16 through May 18, 2006. PrintNet is a completely integrated suite of variable document design, composition, production, on-line collaboration / approval and web services software solutions. The advanced capabilities provided by this latest release make PrintNet the most advanced and comprehensive variable data document (VDP) software available in the marketplace. PrintNet T Version 4.4 capabilities will be demonstrated in the following booths during the On Demand show: GMC, Xerox, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and other partner booths. ONE PLATFORM — COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS PrintNet is based on scaleable, seamlessly integrated components that centralize document design, composition, management and production. The software features automated data stream input, transformation, processing and output, complete with on-line design, proofing / collaboration and Web Services functionality. Driving multiple document-related applications from a single platform, PrintNet accepts input from multiple sources — including Adobe InDesign, EPS, PDF, QuarkXPress, SAP, and XML — with multi-channel output for paper and electronic documents. PrintNet provides a single platform for personalized Web and print based documents, direct marketing documents, transactional documents, and on-demand database publishing. According to René Müller, CEO of GMC Software AG, “Counting nearly 50% of the leading global direct marketing and print service providers among our clients, GMC invests heavily in the development of our software products to ensure that our customers get the features and capabilities that they need to maintain and expand their position in this highly competitive market. The new features and improved data handling capabilities contained in PrintNet's latest release are intended to immediately improve communication processes and reduce response times, while cutting costs for our customers.” ENHANCEMENTS INCREASE PERFORMANCE AND VALUE The latest PrintNet enhancements provide more flexibility, improved workflow and powerful, new broad-spectrum data handling and connectivity. Version 4.4 adds: - Expanded PDF capability A new Bookmark Module reads the active input PDF file's bookmark table and enables the use of this content as variable data in the PrintNet layout. - Broader, more flexible Data Handling PrintNet directly accepts any business data type — including legacy formats — without the need for additional data manipulation. Now, this capability has been further enhanced with: - Files created using the XSLFO standard can be used as data input or layout sources for PrintNet, providing greater flexibility in handling data formats. - A Line Data Module that extracts raw data from a Line Data input file, transforming the data in a structured record format for document or workflow layout. - Additional QuarkXPress and Text Formatting capabilities - QuarkXPress (with included resources) can now be exported as encrypted .WFD files. Users who have converted documents created by QuarkXpress into fully variable and editable PrintNet designs can also export these modified documents back into QuarkXPress for maximum flexibility. - Formatted text can be copied and pasted-in as simple text. - Enriched Workflow and Output Set up a job once and output anywhere is a PrintNet hallmark — PrintNet accepts input from multiple sources and outputs to PPML, SVG, VDX, Postscript, PDF, PCL, IPDS, AFP, Metacode, IJPDS, VPS, Image, Text, or electronically via Internet-HTML, fax-TIFF, SMS messaging. New workflow and output capabilities include: - An “external” workflow module can now be added to the GUI-based main Workflow screen, enabling grouping of data inputs, imposition types, and various output options that significantly add flexibility to data driven jobs. - North-South Sheet Splitter enhancements allow job packages to be output as groups, increasing both throughput and productivity. - Kodak Versamark and Scitex printhead image areas can now be displayed on the Workflow layout screen to enhance wide-web layout capability using multiple inkjet printheads. - Full color support for IPDS output. - AFP—enhanced text and vector graphic (GOCA) support. - Special Barcodes With PrintNet's graphical user interface, barcodes are sized or re-sized automatically — simply by re-sizing the barcode box — without struggling with font sizes, formulas or barcode wizards. New functionality in Version 4.4 allows individual settings for each bar of a special barcode. “With powerful data handling capabilities and straightforward graphic user interfaces for job design, workflow and output, PrintNet has become the new standard for personalized customer communications,” Müller states. “We take this a step further by providing web-based collaboration tools that give design and production teams the ability to collectively work on content, data, and planning; to gain approvals, legal consent, and revisions; and to see electronic proofs of the output to verify quality.”