PHILADELPHIA -- Helping to meet the demanding color requirements of commercial print, print-for-pay and creative graphic arts users, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leading provider of digital imaging and office solutions, today announced Canon Inc. and Kodak's Print On-Demand Solutions Group will collaborate to develop a new server offering for Canon's imagePRESS C7000VP, C6000VP and C6000 Digital Presses.

As a result of the development of the new server, powered by CREO Color Server Technology, Canon digital press customers will be able to seamlessly integrate with a variety of professional workflows with open connectivity using JDF standards, including KODAK PRINERGY Workflow Solutions. The new server is expected to be a powerful variable data printing (VDP) solution supporting professional third-party applications and languages, such as VPS and PPML, for producing personalized direct mailers, transactional data statements or marketing collateral with varying text, graphs or images on individual pages.

"The strategic cooperation between Canon and Kodak Print On-Demand Solutions Group leverages the CREO Color Server Technology in digital imaging, color management and commercial print workflow optimization," said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager, Marketing & Field Sales Division, Canon U.S.A. "This collaboration will help to expand the capabilities of our award-winning imagePRESS line of digital presses so graphic arts customers and print service providers can take full advantage of Canon's technology and innovation to deliver high-quality digital color prints."

"We're very pleased to provide the powerful CREO Color Server Technology to enable Canon's flagship digital press products to better serve the demands of professional users," said Chris O'Connor, vice president, Kodak Print On Demand Solutions Group. "This cooperation leverages the leadership of Canon, a pioneer in digital color printing, and that of CREO Color Servers in high-performance digital print workflows."

Developed by the Print On-Demand Solutions Group, CREO Color Server's advanced Fusion imaging hardware and technology enables fast RIP speeds while simultaneously driving the press, maximizing efficiency, flexibility and job processing throughout the entire workflow process. The new server, which will be available later this year, is expected to feature professional imposition and automation tools, and flexible paper handling and finishing capabilities.