LAS VEGAS--June 28, 2004-- EFI, the world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for commercial and enterprise printing, today announced it is showcasing the integration between its award-winning Fiery servers and its array of print management information systems (MIS) -- EFI Hagen OA(TM), EFI Logic(TM), EFI PSI(TM) and EFI PrintSmith(TM) -- at its Connect 2004 Users' Conference this week. EFI is also working with leading industry vendors to integrate these MIS solutions through open JDF connectivity to deliver more value and productivity to commercial print providers by automating their operations. "Fiery to MIS system connections will help our customers make their workflow processes and business reporting more productive and cost-effective," said Marc Olin, Vice President/General Manager, EFI Commercial Print Systems. "And JDF connectivity with leading equipment providers will allow vital information to be shared, in real-time, between production and management processes, enabling more accurate, effective and profitable process development and control." The Fiery workflow integration with EFI's Hagen OA, Logic, PSI and PrintSmith solutions is a two-way exchange between the Fiery print controller (System 5 and higher) and the print management system. This connection is accomplished through EFI technology that facilitates the movement of job details, including job numbers, descriptions, parts information, colors, production counts, and start and stop time, between the Fiery controller and the individual MIS solution in real time. The Fiery to MIS integration will greatly reduce administrative overhead -- operators no longer have to collect and track waste data, page counts, type of paper used, etc., since that information is automatically captured by the Fiery and sent to the MIS system. This also ensures accurate reporting and invoicing. The creation of an electronic job ticket eliminates order entry errors, since no re-keying is needed, and saves costs by ensuring the correct job is printed the first time. The integration also makes repeat orders easy, since a previous job ticket can be copied and re-submitted for production. EFI is working with a "who's who" of equipment manufacturers on its EFI JDF Connector, including Komori, MAN Roland, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Ryobi, Sakurai, Screen and others. The JDF Connector will enable seamless bi-directional communication, enabling automated machine set-up and shop floor data retrieval that will increase productivity and cost-effectiveness of print shop management.