PARAMUS, N.J., NOVEMBER 7, 2006 — The Research & Engineering Council of NAPL will host the 2007 Digital Smart Factory Forum, on January 16-18, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Fla. The theme of this year’s event, "Integrating Graphic Communications Technology: Business, Content, and Manufacturing," underscores the comprehensive scope of the Forum, which focuses on practical strategies for implementing an efficient, integrated, digital workflow throughout the graphic communications supply chain. With a 2007 program exploring all facets of such critical concepts as computer-integrating manufacturing (CIM), CIP4, and JDF, the Digital Smart Factory Forum once again earns its reputation as the premier venue for graphic communications company owners, CEOs, chief technology officers, IT managers, engineers, production managers, and sales managers to come together to share information on the opportunities and challenges of maximizing efficiencies and enhancing supply chain communications through workflow integration. "With the level of competition that characterizes today’s graphic communications companies, maximizing workflow efficiencies and gaining ready access to vital business data has never been more important," said Bob Whitton, managing director of the R&E Council of NAPL. "The Digital Smart Factory Forum provides a much-needed setting for people from all parts of the supply chain to come together and engage in serious and practical discussion of how companies can implement a seamless, integrated digital workflow within their own organizations." A highlight of the 2007 Forum is a tour of DME, a Daytona Beach, Fla.-based graphic communications company specializing in direct marketing with both traditional and digital applications. In one of the hallmarks of the Digital Smart Factory Forum experience, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in interactive discussion with numerous industry leaders at the forefront of workflow advancements, including: - Barb Pellow, managing partner, Pellow and Partners, LLC., who emphasizes the importance of including customer organizations in an integrated workflow in a keynote presentation, "Into the Digital Smart Factory." - Chuck Gehman, co-chairman of the Digital Smart Factory Forum and director of Product Marketing for EFI, Inc., a sponsor of the Forum, exploring how to overcome the obstacles to realizing the full benefits of CIM in a talk on "Integrating Content and Commerce to Meet the Changing Demands of the Print Marketplace." - CIP4 Organization’s Jim Harvey leading a panel on how "Manufacturing Expands with Computer-Integrated Manufacturing/Smart Factory Concepts." - Zarik Mergerdichian, president, 4Over, Inc., with a special presentation on how "New Business Models Leverage Technology for Commercial Print." - Dean Hanisko, chief technology officer of Great Lakes Integrated, Inc., with a look at "The Digital Smart Factory: Marketing Systems for Digital and Offset." - Howard Fenton, NAPL senior technology consultant, who heads a panel of educators exploring "The Next Big Thing" in Digital Smart Factory developments. In addition to EFI, Forum sponsors are Kodak, represented by Forum Co-Chairman Tim Daisy; Canon; Fujifilm Graphic Systems; H-P; Komori; Printable Technologies; Integrated Color Solutions; and Xerox. For more information or to register for the 2007 Digital Smart Factory Forum, visit www.napl.org/events or call (800) 642-6275, Option 4.