CHICAGO, IL, Apr 09, 2008 -- Schawk Digital Solutions, Inc. (SDS), a division of Schawk, Inc. and a leader in the development of content-centric technology and solutions, announced today the release of BLUE 2.1, its flagship graphic life cycle management software suite.

The release of BLUE 2.1 provides greater functionality, enhanced features, and increased flexibility for seamless third-party platform integration to strengthen system collaboration. Because most global organizations use enterprise resource planning systems to ensure consistency throughout their project life cycle management operations, BLUE has been redesigned to enhance synchronization with global software systems such as SAP. The ability of BLUE 2.1 to integrate more deeply with systems like SAP allows Schawk's clients to realize greater overall supply chain cost efficiencies and marketing effectiveness.

"This latest version of BLUE offers an even more powerful workflow solution for managing graphics in highly regulated, process-centric organizations," said Mark Bradford, senior director of global enterprise product strategy and development.

Essentially, BLUE 2.1 allows clients to initiate a project in a solution like SAP, create downstream sub-processes in BLUE, and then synchronize the updates made in BLUE with SAP throughout the project. Through this integration process, BLUE ensures that clients have the most accurate, up-to-date project information available in their operating systems, thereby delivering greater efficiency and productivity.

In addition to these enhanced integration capabilities, BLUE 2.1 also offers reporting plug-ins for more in-depth Key Performance Indicator reporting and a new, high-performance file transfer engine. High-resolution graphic files can be uploaded or downloaded in high-latency or low-bandwidth environments. This capability provides greater access for global project personnel and allows for quicker file sharing.

"File transfer reliability and performance is critical in a global workflow context. BLUE's new hi-res file transfer capabilities can be utilized in the most challenging environments, helping companies improve the quality of files and their speed to market," noted Bradford.

"The recent upgrades to BLUE lay the foundation for future enhancements that will greatly improve our clients' graphic life cycle management processes," said David Frederick, senior vice president and global managing director of Schawk Digital Solutions. "Schawk's 54 years of experience with consumer products company packaging workflows informs our ability to create software products like BLUE that provide all types of organization with superior workflow and graphics life cycle management tools."

The BLUE software suite is designed to provide dynamic and scalable project management, workflow management, online proofing, enterprise digital asset management, and comprehensive e-reporting while achieving immediate, real-time access to active projects to help clients create consistent and compelling brand experiences.