WinHEC, Booth 415 SEATTLE--May 23, 2006-- Today Global Graphics announced that it is taking its XPS technology development into a new phase with next generation initiatives for digital printer and copier manufacturers and commercial print workflows. XPS (XML Paper Specification) is the new print and document format for the upcoming release of Windows Vista. This new phase will enable printer/copier manufacturers to accelerate their adoption of XPS and provide them with greater flexibility and financial benefits. The initiatives include developing: XPS filters to provide more components for host-based workflows; scalable consumption for low end embedded devices which have limited resources; and, XPS conversion technology for print and print related workflows and for use in application software. Jim Freidah Global Graphics' chief operating officer says, "We have been developing a broad spectrum of XPS implementation options and are unique in our ability to offer native XPS solutions across a full range of devices, including legacy devices and workflows, - from desktop ink jet printers to high end digital presses- using a common architecture." In its booth (# 415) at WinHEC, Global Graphics is demonstrating multi-platform native XPS printing, using the latest release of its XPS RIP technology. The XPS Document format has been developed with the intention that it can be used in Windows and in other platforms. Global Graphics is demonstrating rich content documents printing from a Windows-based PC to a duplex color laser printer and from a Mac Mini to an eight-color wide format inkjet printer using release 7 of its native XPS RIP. The demonstrations are designed to show how a native XPS print path will transform the knowledge workers' ability to produce high-quality, professionally printed documents from the desktop. Native XPS printing provides the best printing experience because the XPS Document is RIPped directly by the print driver or print device without conversion to another intermediary format. "Windows Presentation Foundation will be the primary catalyst for developing rich content documents", continues Jim Freidah, "and only through a native XPS implementation, can users obtain optimal image quality and performance. Clearly, printer/copier manufacturers who implement native XPS processing in their printers and copiers will have a significant advantage, in terms of image quality and performance, over their competition." Global Graphics was chosen by Microsoft in 2003 to provide consultancy and proof of concept development services on XPS and worked with the Windows development teams on the specification for the new format. Global Graphics' XPS technology has been in continuous development, in step with the evolving XPS specification, since the early days of the company's involvement with Microsoft and its development of a prototype native XPS RIP that was first demonstrated towards the end of 2004. In the final phase of the project, Global Graphics is developing a print reference implementation RIP that Microsoft intends to make available to assist hardware and software developers in XPSDrv driver development for Windows Vista. Global Graphics launched its XPS Early Adopter Program in September 2005. Under the program it has made its XPS technology available to more than a dozen Early Adopter Partners, most of whom are printer/copier manufacturers. The company plans to extend the program to offer its new XPS initiatives to EA partners, including broadening the program to include software application vendors. "Global Graphics is a leading supplier of page description language technology to the print industry and an important adopter of the XPS Document format. It is encouraging to see them continue their commitment to XPS by offering such a broad range of implementation options and platform independent support," said Madelyn Bryant McIntire, Product Unit Manager for the Digital Documents Platform and Solutions team, Microsoft Corporation. "In the coming months Microsoft plans to make available a black-boxed print reference implementation RIP, based on Global Graphics' technology, with a Windows Vista developer toolset."