Washington, DC (January 21, 2008) - The International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4) organization and the Networked Graphic Production (NGP) Partners announced that CIP4 and NGP have reached an agreement under which the functions of NGP will converge into CIP4. The NGP Steering Committee and CIP4's governing Advisory Board voted to move forward with the convergence effective immediately. All members of NGP are already members of CIP4, and the NGP Steering Committee and all the functions of NGP will be assumed by a new Business Networking Group; a working group within CIP4.

As a result of this agreement NGP will cease operations, and all NGP operations will be assumed by CIP4 during a transitional period between now and drupa 2008.  "The convergence of NGP into CIP4 will allow for involvement from a broader base," said CIP4 CEO, Margaret Motamed of EFI. "During the transition all CIP4 members will have the opportunity to get involved in Business Networking Group activities. For instance, we will be working on a major update to the Integration Matrix and development of new programs that will all be revealed at drupa."

The new Business Networking Group will focus on 'integration through cooperation' and it will provide CIP4 with market communications and business development functions. "CIP4 has been successful in the development of the JDF and Printtalk specifications, the development of software development tools and technical education programs," said Thomas Reichhart, CEO of Hiflex Group and NGP Chairperson, "and I believe that the addition of the Business Networking Group fills a void for CIP4 by providing market outreach programs and an environment for the non-technical leadership of membership companies to come together, exchange ideas, and address the business issues of print process automation. This is a great fit and I know there is great support for the convergence on behalf of all members of the NGP Steering Committee."

The NGP website (http://www.ngppartners.org) will remain active and operational until drupa. During that time, the functions, documents and work of NGP will be transferred to CIP4 and will be assumed into its operations and website.  In addition to the Interoperability Matrix, other NGP functions such as summit meetings, the Process Automation News and industry mingle events will be assumed by CIP4. The first "summit meeting" of the Business Networking Group will be held in Spa Belgium during the week of March 10th in conjunction with CIP4's Interoperability Forum and working group meetings hosted by GamSys GmbH. Questions regarding the convergence of NGP with CIP4 should be addressed to CIP4's Executive Director, James Harvey, at [email protected].