BOULDER, CO, May 31, 2005 – Continuing to lead the way in workflow, IBM Printing Systems hosted the second meeting of a unique advisory panel that is taking customer communications to the next level to improve workflow efficiencies.  The Infoprint Workflow Customer Advisory Council (ICAC) meets regularly to share insight and ideas on maximizing the effectiveness of IBM Infoprint Workflow, IBM’s industry-leading, customizable software and services offering that helps enterprises manage digital output from creation to distribution.   ICAC is an independently-run, collaborative customer forum that assists in defining workflow initiatives and requirements to help ensure customer needs are being met and investments protected. Jim Trout of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) and Cindy Harrelson of Bell South lead the panel, which also includes representatives from IBM customers ADP and Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, among others. The group recently participated in a two day session to review new and emerging trends, directions, and regulatory requirements impacting their business that can be addressed through technology extensions to Infoprint Workflow, as well as complementary products or services.  Members are encouraged to provide assessments of current implementations, offer input for improvements and assist in establishing direction for future enhancements.   “Our top priority is to increase customers’ efficiency and productivity to drive down their total cost of printing. Armed with real-world insight and recommendations, we are leading the movement toward premier end-to-end solutions that enable device consolidation and productivity tools that automate processes,” said David Myers, director worldwide production solutions, IBM Printing Systems.  “We are fortunate to be working with some of the most innovative customers in the production print market – they understand the benefits in combining the right technology and the right workflow.” As a customer-governed council, the ICAC meets twice a year and holds regular calls open to all members.  During the forums, participants discuss the strategic directions for IBM’s digital workflow offering.   “Digital output significantly impacts our bottom line, so it is essential that our solution providers clearly understand our business,” said Wayne Roberts, vice president IS operations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina.  “For example, any time we had to reprint a document in the past--if we had a document torn in the mail room, we would have to manually look it up, reprint it, and match it with a check and get it into the mail. Now we have automated the reprint process with IBM Infoprint Workflow, and can print one document at a time if we want to.” This unique users group provides IBM with valuable industry insight into the requirements and direction of digital output workflow solutions.  Leveraging technology expertise and customer input, IBM is delivering digital output workflow solutions designed to lower the total cost of production while enhancing quality and improving productivity. “IBM understands the importance of listening to its customers and provides customized solutions to meet our specific concerns,” said Jim Trout, director, output services, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC). “Only IBM’s Infoprint Workflow solution enables us to retain the flexibility and control associated with the decision to maintain internal output operations, while addressing the business pains and day-to-day operational challenges.” According to Trout,  HCSC quickly realized that only one vendor offered a workflow tool and control system that extended across the lifecycle of its operations, and selected IBM to provide an automated document factory to manage its print and fulfillment operations.