ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 18, 2005 -- Xerox Corporation recently recognized six software companies that contributed most significantly to the business success of Xerox and its graphic-communications industry customers in 2004. At its annual Xerox Business Partners Conference last month, the Production Systems Group, which operates Xerox's high-end production publishing and printing business, named EFI as the Overall Software Partner of the Year. EFI, a longtime Xerox partner in server solutions and workflow productivity, was recognized for its contributions to Xerox DocuColor and iGen3 color systems through its Fiery print servers.  The award was also given for EFI's software integration support with Xerox's FreeFlow(tm) Digital Workflow Collection, a portfolio of software and hardware that streamlines the digital printing process from creation to final output. Five other companies also were honored: · Strategic Software Partner of the Year - Creo Inc. was recognized for contributions to the success of Xerox's production color product family through its Creo Spire(tm) color server, which drives Xerox's digital color presses.  It was also recognized for the Creo Darwin(tm) and Preps software that complements Xerox's workflow components to support personalized communications and book publishing applications. · Reseller Partner of the Year - Atlas Software was recognized for its outstanding variable-data printing solution - Atlas PrintShop Mail, which integrates with Xerox variable-data workflow tools to bring the power of personalized documents to print service providers.  · Member Level Software Partner of the Year - ASE Technology was recognized for providing workflow support to Xerox products including DocuColor digital color presses and the iGen3 Digital Production Press with its DocuConvert Enterprise Output Management solution. · Service and Support Software Partners of the Year - Adobe Systems was recognized for its role in developing digital printing workflow processes that incorporate industry standards like JDF (Job Definition Format) and various file formats including PDF. It also provides outstanding support to Xerox's sales force and customers. - Lytrod Software was cited for its role in providing variable-data document design tools that integrate with Xerox's VIPP(tm) (Variable Data Intelligent PostScript Printware), software designed for printing documents with content that varies from page to page. It also provides outstanding support and training of Xerox's sales force. "By joining Xerox's unsurpassed digital color printing and workflow technology with innovative software applications from top partners, we're able to deliver real-world solutions that help graphic communications customers streamline their operations, increase their profits, and easily build entirely new business offerings, like personalized marketing services and more," said Mike Kucharski, vice president and general manager, Workflow Business Team, Xerox Production Systems Group.  "The Xerox Business Partner Program has more than 100 leading software and hardware providers that extend the functionality of Xerox products and services and offer new opportunities for digital print providers."