DUSSELDORF, GERMANY, Jan. 17 - Strengthening its commitment to the production cut-sheet black-and-white market, Kodak today announced significant enhancements to its KODAK DIGIMASTER EX Digital Production System that allow print providers to integrate new workflows, expand finishing services, and improve the overall reliability of their black-and-white operations.

A system upgrade with new Print Production Software improves workflow efficiency for all DIGIMASTER EX Systems by providing support for JDF capability, a job description format that increases the automation of the preproduction process for faster production, and increased reliability of digital job files. A new job preview manager function delivers greater productivity by enabling users to view and verify jobs prior to print submission, helping to improve print job accuracy and reduce printing errors.

A key highlight is the expanded support for the integration of KODAK PRINERGY 4.1 Workflow Software to the DIGIMASTER EX System's connectivity. Utilizing enhancements in KODAK SMARTBOARD Document Mastering Software 5.0, full job ticketing and bi-directional job and print engine status are supported. SMARTBOARD Document Mastering Software 5.0 streamlines prepress workflow to a single point of job submission for both color and black-and-white digital jobs, offering powerful functions including document editing, annotation, imposition, file storage and soft proofing.

Print engine enhancements designed to improve overall performance to the DIGIMASTER EX System also enable the ability to print on a wide variety of substrates, allowing printers to offer additional services to their customers.

The addition of the Watkiss SpineMaster accessory to the DIGIMASTER EX System's booklet maker allows printers to produce booklets with square backs and print the document's title or other information on the spine, finishing documents with a high-quality, professional appearance without the additional cost of perfect binding.

"Kodak's commitment to the black-and-white digital printing market remains strong and solid, and these enhancements to the DIGIMASTER EX System line demonstrate our continued investment in this important market," said Steve Fletcher, General Manager, Electrophotographic Printing Solutions, and Vice President, Kodak's Graphic Communications Group. "Greater reliability and consistent uptime are two of the most important features that printers require to meet the stringent needs of their customers for fast delivery of high quality printed materials. With these improvements to the DIGIMASTER System line, Kodak continues to deliver black-and-white products with rich, robust features that provide value to our customers."

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals reaching more than 120 countries. It is a leading multi-vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for the commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging and data storage industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.