KFAR-SABA, ISRAEL AND KREFELD, GERMANY - APRIL 10, 2001 - Shira, a key software solution provider for digital prepress and printing workflows and BEST GmbH, a leading provider of proofing solutions, today announced a co-development agreement. Their combined efforts will be directed towards developing a web-based proofing workflow solution enabling printers and their customers to share the same data for proofing at the printing site, as well as at remote sites. BEST's proofing engines provide the most comprehensive proofing solution available, and Shira's eP2 OnlineTM workflow servers provide an on-line, vendor and device independent prepress workflow solution. BEST and Shira offerings are based on innovative technologies with proven track records of worldwide success. Their teaming up will make use of BEST's new measure-to-proof technology to determine proof consistency and color accuracy, and send the results through the eP2 system to the printer site where it will automatically calibrate the proofing device at a remote site for BEST's results. The eP2 system, with its database driven workflow, will record all operations per relevant user for future use. Lazy Yanay, Shira Corporate VP Marketing, noted: "We are harnessing the innovation and vision of both companies. Together these outstanding technologies create a web-based proofing and workflow solution. It's truly a first for two competing technologies to combine in a strategic alliance with all the necessary ingredients to provide a full proofing workflow solution." In addition, Shira will use BEST's proofing engines as the eP2 proofing solution, thus making eP2 the most comprehensive workflow solution in the industry. "Best proofing engines are definitely the finest proofing solution in the printing industry today. Our alliance with Shira eP2 workflow products will produce the most comprehensive remote proofing solution by utilizing BEST's vast knowledge of color management and proofing with Shira's web-based workflow solutions. We foresee this initiative as influencing the method the printing industry deals with remote proofing," said Jawdatt Mawassii BEST Director of Business development. This revolutionary technology will be presented in the BEST booth at Seybold Boston show from April 10th - 12th, 2001.