Ann Arbor, Michigan – July 27, 2006 – Xitron, the prepress industry's leading independent developer and integrator of Raster Image Processors, RIP management software and workflow solutions; today announced the shipment of RIP Manager 3.1, Xitron’s workflow solution for Harlequin-based RIPs from Xitron and other Global Graphics OEMs including AB Dick, Compose, ECRM, Highwater, Presstek and Screen. RIP Manager 3.1 brings increased control of the RIP to the desktop, further reducing the need for specific page setups. The 3.1 version now provides, in addition to the choice of a Simple Imposition scheme, the ability to select trap sets, image rotation, color separation sets and page features. Additional output device icons are included in RIP Manager 3.1 to allow users to more easily determine the output device in use for a specific workflow. The icon will automatically display based on the device chosen in the PageSetup. For instance, if a Presstek DI52 press is the selected output, then a digital press icon will be displayed. Where specific icons are not available for the output device, the standard generic output device icon will be displayed. Based on feedback from users, these additional capabilities make RIP Manager an even more powerful tool for any prepress professional’s desktop. “RIP Manager offers thousands of Harlequin-RIP users an affordable workflow solution” stated R. Patrick French, Xitron’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Enhancing control of the RIP from the prepress operator’s desktop provides immediate increases in productivity while reducing the chance for errors.” RIP Manager provides control of up to three Harlequin-based RIPs and can support as many as ten prepress operators. Features include an integrated Viewer for desktop soft-proofing, powerful job management control, ability to create automated workflow steps to reduce errors associated with manual intervention from operators and a PDF option that provides PDF creation and preflighting as automated steps in a workflow. Preflighting is handled with the industry standard Enfocus library built into the RIP Manager PDF option. In addition to English, Navigator RIP Manager 3.1 is now offered in German and Japanese. The localized versions are available on the installation CD and will be selected automatically on computer systems configured with German or Japanese operating systems. “With the enhancements in automation and less dependency on the RIP, our dealer and distributors felt the availability of localized versions of RIP Manager would further reduce the training required in regions where English is not the primary language of the prepress operators,” stated Eric Nelsen, Navigator Solutions Product Manager. “We are pleased to offer the German and Japanese along with RIP Manager 3.1 and plan to offer additional localized versions in the future.” RIP Manager is one of the most affordable workflow solutions available for the Harlequin RIP with typical pricing beginning at under $3,000 and a complete solution with PDF creation and preflighting for less than $5,000. The solution is compatible with virtually all Harlequin-based RIPs from manufacturers including those from AB Dick, Compose, ECRM, Highwater, Presstek and Screen version 6 and higher with the greatest functionality found in version 7. Existing RIP Manager users may upgrade to RIP Manager 3.1 for $250. As a special incentive for users to upgrade, Xitron will include a WebEx® installation, a $500 value, at no charge for users who upgrade by September 30, 2006. Xitron products are available through a network of OEMS, Distributors, Dealers, and System Integrators worldwide. Xitron RIPs and workflow solutions drive more than 150 output devices ranging from black and white and color proofers, to film imagesetters and the latest in CTP and direct-to-press systems. With shipments of more than 13,000 RIPs, Xitron is the largest independent provider of RIPs in the market. For more information about Xitron products, visit Xitron on the web at www.xitron.com.