Reston, VA (October 16, 2008) - For the third year in a row, the GRAPH EXPO MUST SEE 'EMS Committee has named management information systems (MIS) as the most critical technology for printers to employ for success in this changing print market.  MIS topped a list of the six technologies deemed most important for printer survival in 2009 and beyond.

    The announcement offers a tantalizing preview of the MUST SEE 'EMS-a list of the most compelling emerging and evolving technologies to be found at GRAPH EXPO-and the many cutting-edge graphic communications technologies attendees will find at the show, considered the largest graphic communications exhibition and conference of 2008 in the Western Hemisphere.  The MUST SEE 'EMS are a highlight of the 13th Edition EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK Conference, which takes place October 25 in Chicago's McCormick Place, on the eve of GRAPH EXPO.  With the theme, "Where Technology Meets the Marketplace-Tomorrow's Trends in Technology - Today," the full-day conference will touch on the biggest issues, trends and technology concerns that graphic communications professionals face today.  GRAPH EXPO runs October 26 - 29 at McCormick Place.

    "Given the current financial crisis we're experiencing around the world, graphic communications professionals need to be able to invest wisely in technologies that offer them the most operational advantage for their investment dollars," noted Ralph Nappi, President of the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC). "Survival in this economy is not about finding the fanciest 'gee-whiz' gadgets that might wow clients for a limited period of time. Instead, the EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK Conference and the MUST SEE 'EMS offer printers expert, considered advice about the technologies that will best aid them in growing and differentiating their businesses over the long term."

    MUST SEE 'EMS are chosen by a panel of 16 leading industry consultants and trade magazine editors.  While the selections typically represent the technology that will impact virtually all types of printers, this year the Selection Committee placed equal emphasis on technology know-how and the ability to take advantage of technology.  The committee noted, for example, that a fully implemented MIS, its top critical technology, requires an operation where the personnel are properly trained, the data is collected in a timely fashion, a full range of software modules are installed and used, and the resulting information is used in managing a print business for profitability.

    The other top technologies for 2008/2009 included:

   2. Information technology as a core competence - A close runner-up to MIS, information technology (IT) competence translates to both the software as well as the people skills required for its implementation, operation and maintenance. This core IT capability is necessary because the production process-not to mention auxiliary services, such as mailing and fulfillment and database management-is now so computer-centric.

    3. Color management throughout the production process

    4. Workflow, analog and digital applications

    5. Digital production printing - This includes both color and black-and-white digital production presses, with an emphasis on toner now and a future trending toward inkjet.

    6. Web-to-print.

    Four additional technologies made the list as second-tier survival technologies, dubbed the WORTH-A-LOOKS. These were advances in offset lithography technology, including automation of individual functions; the ability to use technology as a differentiator; computer-assisted materials management, including purchasing, materials testing, inventory control and waste/spoilage control (i.e., materials and labor); and integrated cross-media workflow or cross-media production capability.

    Finally, the MUST SEE 'EMS Selection Committee identified certain pavilions on the GRAPH EXPO show floor as offering a unique opportunity to see equipment and software in action while hearing educational presentations. These are:

* JDF Works Print Shop Live!
* Mailing & Fulfillment Center
* Wide Format Pavilion
* Future Print -New Frontiers in RFID and Printed Electronics.

    Specific MUST SEE 'EMS products will be announced at EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK. A product recognition guide listing all MUST SEE 'EMS award recipients, the second-tier WORTH-A-LOOKS and notable show floor areas will be distributed throughout the GRAPH EXPO show floor.

    The EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK Conference is sponsored by Heidelberg and Xerox, and EFI will sponsor the post conference networking reception.

    Complete information about EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK and registration for both EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK and GRAPH EXPO are available online at: www.graphexpo.com.