BOCA RATON, FLA — December 19, 2003 — Oce, a leading supplier of digital document management solutions, today announces that it has again lowest cost of ownership in several fixed monthly page volume scenarios in a recent report from IDC. In the 2003 Cost of Ownership Study: Mid- to High-Speed Monochrome and Color Hardcopy Peripherals report, IDC uses three scenarios to define monthly page volumes (maximum, high and low) for each speed segment and compile the rankings. Both Océ cut sheet and continuous forms printing systems are highlighted in the findings, ranking first in both the High and Low Monthly Volume Scenarios. In IDC’s 2002 study, Océ VarioStream and Océ VarioPrint product families also achieved lowest cost of ownership in the industry for both continuous form and cut sheet output. Several Océ digital printing systems received top rankings in several scenarios used by IDC in the 2003 study. In two-up mode for 200+ppm, the Océ VarioStream 7300 Twin held the top position for lowest cost per page based on the High Monthly Page Vvolume scenario used by IDC. The Océ VarioStream 6100 achieved top ranking for devices ranging in speed from 100-199 ppm, while the Océ VarioPrint 5115 had the lowest cost per page among cut sheet models in this segment. In another scenario based on a lower fixed monthly page volume assumption, the Océ VarioStream 7300 was first in both one- and two-up output for 200+ppm devices, while the Océ VarioStream 7200 had the lowest cost per page in two-up mode for 100-199 ppm output and the second lowest cost per page in one-up mode. Additionally, the Océ VarioStream 6100 held the lowest cost per page in both one- and two-up modes for devices ranging in speed from 100-199 ppm in this page volume scenario. “We are very pleased that Océ VarioStream and VarioPrint digital print solutions delivered the lowest total cost of ownership for the scenarios tracked by the IDC report that most closely align with the ways customers actually use their print solutions,” said Carl Joachim, vice president of marketing for Océ Digital Document Systems. “The reality is that for total cost of ownership to provide the bottom line business value customers seek, it must perform in real world scenarios that customers experience each and every day.” In addition to Océ’s achievement of lowest total cost of ownership in high and low fixed monthly volume scenarios for the second straight year, IDC noted in its Quarterly Tracker Report that Océ has the leading position in total U.S. 2003 continuous form printer shipments year to date. Océ’s achievement of lowest total cost of ownership translating into continued market share gains is document by other industry researchers as well. This is reflected in the 2002-2007 CAP Ventures Print On Demand Market Forecast where Océ has a leading position of continuous form product placements, and, given the cut sheet system’s unique versatility, the company is gaining share in the cut sheet arena. This leadership is further underscored by the October 30, 2003 Gartner Research Brief by Lynn Ritter titled Océ Makes Good on Cut-Sheet Promise which stated, “Océ is number one in the continuous form market, according to Gartner Dataquest unit shipment numbers.” Document experts consider cost of ownership to be a key factor in purchasing and operating decisions, yet it can be one of most difficult variables to determine accurately. Using a detailed quantitative analysis, the assessment of IDC research professionals provides critical information for professionals making decisions about printer investments and managing their business operations for maximum profitability. “Printing costs involve more than just hardware and toner. Machine capacity, varying monthly volumes, and maintenance costs must also be factored. This report by IDC examines all these factors that make up cost of ownership, although soft costs are not addressed. The results of this study show that Océ has made cost of ownership one of their top priorities,” said Dan Corsetti, IDC senior research analyst. IDC is a leading provider of technology intelligence, industry analysis, market data, and strategic and tactical guidance to builders, providers, and users of information technology. Whole-cost advantages also are dependent on the reliable and versatile performance uniquely available from Océ production-class solutions. Océ PRISMA software further enhances cost of ownership by providing unified operations management for maximum uptime and efficiency and consistent cost per page. As a result, experts in commercial printing, finance and brokerage firms, insurance companies and many other industries count on Océ to deliver the cost-effective performance and rock-solid reliability that allow them to work with complete confidence and achieve their business objectives.