Editor's Note: Also see a Special Report and analysis of this deal by Cary Sherburne.

Connect - Las Vegas - July 29, 2008 - EFI, the world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced a new offering named EFI Monarch which combines Hagen OA's Print MIS toolset, the capabilities of Prograph, a powerful workflow and planning solution, PrintFlow dynamic scheduling, and Auto-Count direct machine interface to deliver an end-to-end workflow and management solution that is unmatched in the industry. EFI Monarch, available now, is targeted at large single and multi-plant operations.

Marc Olin, senior vice president/general manager, EFI Advanced Professional Print Software (APPS), said: "The print provider's competitive edge and profitability depend on how efficiently they leverage assets and create new revenue opportunities while driving down costs. EFI Monarch helps businesses thrive in today's market by maximizing profit potential with every job. Its integrated toolset delivers excellent ROI by addressing every aspect of management and workflow control."

Hagen OA provides the core management system for Monarch, with EFI Prograph for advanced production planning and JDF control, EFI PrintFlow for dynamic scheduling and optimization, and EFI Auto-Count for shop floor data collection via direct machine interface. This powerful combination of products delivers:

- A comprehensive manufacturing management tool that utilizes a back office financial system as its foundation.

- Advanced visual planning.

- Automated dynamic scheduling.

- Rules-based automation with user-defined rules architecture for managing resources and costs efficiently.

- Just in Time manufacturing - ability to modify production plans based on real-time environmental conditions and then digitally distribute new/modified instructions to the appropriate resources based on inter/intra-plant optimized schedule.

- Support for multi-language, multi-facility and multi-currency.

EFI customers can continue to utilize each of the four systems separately if they choose. Those who migrate to Monarch will benefit from enhanced integration and automation in their manufacturing processes. New customers can take advantage of one coordinated installation process.

EFI Monarch was announced today as part of a new product strategy focused on three solution sets as a result of the company acquiring Pace Systems Group and their popular ePace print MIS portfolio (see separate press release). EFI PrintSmith will continue to serve the on-demand, copy shop, quick printer and small commercial shop. The new product, named EFI Pace, will provide a fully-integrated, optimized solution for the middle market, and Monarch will support large single and multi-location organizations.

EFI Monarch is on display for the first time at Connect 2008, EFI's user conference taking place now through August 1 at the Wynn Las Vegas. For more information, please visit www.efi.com or contact 1-800-875-7117.