Vio Acquires Digital Asset Systems Integration Company, Portland PMS
Press release from the issuing company
September 16, 2003--Roseland, NJ-- Vio Inc., one of the world's leading suppliers of collaborative digital supply chain software and networking services for the graphic arts industry, announces the acquisition of Portland PMS, a digital asset systems integration company. Complementing its managed digital supply chain solutions with Portland's ad delivery, asset management and systems integration capabilities, Vio has strengthened its ability to build even more comprehensive online solutions-both customized and off-the-shelf.
Building on the momentum of Vio's recent alliance with Hermstedt, new product launches, major software enhancements and key appointments, this acquisition marks yet another exciting milestone in Vio's
evolution.
"This is a perfect match. Portland's reputation has been built on integrating solutions that make optimum use of clients' legacy systems and help them to capitalize fully on their digital assets. Vio is an acknowledged leader in managing graphic arts workflows between collaborating parties. With our combined resources, Vio is now a comprehensive provider of end-to-end solutions for digital asset workflows," states Richard Horwood, Chairman of Vio Worldwide.
Established in 1992, Portland is one of the UK's leading specialists in integrated graphic arts software solutions for both publishing-related clients and the marketing departments of major corporations. Portland is widely known for pioneering digital artwork delivery in the UK and for building custom solutions to meet unique client requirements.
Both Vio and Portland have deep expertise in advertising workflows. Portland successfully established the ADS product based on 4-Sight technology, subsequently replacing this with adExpress, which has been widely adopted by national newspapers, magazines and corporate production departments. Portland technology is also key to the Newspaper Society's Adfast solution for the UK's regional press. Vio is itself a major force in preflighted advertising delivery, and its collaborative offering with Markzware has recently been adopted by the PPA (Periodical Publishers Association) for the UK's magazine publishers, with customised solutions already installed in several major publishers.
Founder and managing director of Portland, Peter Humphreys, takes on the role of Sales Director of the newly created Vio Integrated Solutions subsidiary, bringing with him Portland's complete development, sales and technical support staff.
"Portland and Vio are on the same wavelength at all levels, from the technology to the thought processes of our respective teams. We couldn't be more optimistic about the growth opportunities this creates, not least the chance to extend the reach of Portland's expertise to an international customer base. The graphic arts market has complex and sophisticated workflow needs that simply can't be met with out-of-the-box products and services," states Humphreys. "Vio's undoubted capabilities as a managed service provider, combined with Portland's skills in building custom tools, mean that we can confidently take on the most demanding client requirements and deliver seamless end-to-end solutions for digital asset workflows."