HP Software Developer Kits Enable Global Management, Automation, Customization of Print and Copy Devices PALO ALTO, Calif.--May 29, 2002-- HP today announced the availability of four new software toolkits that allow developers to create innovative printing e-services. Based on open standards, the kits are designed to help developers create new business solutions so HP and non-HP customers can ultimately manage, share, customize and automate their printers or connect to wireless systems to enable anytime, anywhere printing in a wide variety of environments. Developed through the HP Imaging and Printing Group (IPG) Software Developer program, the kits enable developers to create customer solutions that: * globally manage HP and non-HP printers, MFPs (multifunction products) and copiers from a single utility; * extend printer connectivity to a variety of non-PC information appliances; * link mobile client applications and Web services to HP Print Service programs; and * automate printer management functions for commercial print shop systems. "HP is steadfastly committed to enabling anywhere, anytime Internet-enabled printing, as well as the success of our developers, our partners and through them, our customers," stated Lynn Hoffmann, developer program general manager, HP Imaging and Printing Group. "Internet-enabled printing services are the path of the future -- and HP is leading the way." Capella Technologies, a software development company based in Irvine, Calif., is one of a number of software partners that has joined HP to transform printing in the enterprise. "At Capella Technologies, we've always believed printing could be more than just dots on a page," said Robert Blanchet, president, Capella Technologies. "With HP's Chai open standards based technology, we've created a secure printing e-service that allows customers to instantly deliver the right information, to the right people, in the right format." "Because we have access to the latest HP toolkits, Notable Software Inc. has been able to stay one step ahead of our competition," said Ali Terhanchi, chief executive officer, NSI. "For a small company such as ours, the knowledge and access we've gained is invaluable." Four New Toolkits The four software developer kits (SDKs) released today include: the HP Web Jetadmin Developer SDK, the HP Appliance Printer Development Kit, the HP Print Service On-ramp SDK and the HP Commercial Print Submission Manager SDK. The new HP Web Jetadmin SDK provides print and copier manufacturers with the tools they need to develop device plug-ins so administrators can manage their entire mixed printer and copier fleets through HP's popular device management utility, HP Web Jetadmin. HP Web Jetadmin enables remote installation, configuration, monitoring and trouble-shooting of network-attached devices such as printers, MFPs and copiers. Once created, HP Web Jetadmin device plug-ins can allow enterprise customers to discover hardware and device status and to configure, diagnose and receive alerts globally for both HP and non-HP networked devices from a single solution. A follow-on SDK, slated for release in the first half of 2003, is intended to enable customers to track jobs and perform trend analysis. Designed to provide an introduction to HP's powerful open source printing C++ library, the HP Appliance Printer Development Kit enables developers to write state-of-the-art drivers that can run on a variety of platforms and non-PC Internet appliances, including cameras, handheld personal digital assistants and servers. The kit can easily enable high-quality color, black and grayscale printing in non-PC appliances where memory resources are limited, and it can enable the creation of an enhanced PCL 3 printer driver specific to a certain device. Based on the PSI, or Print Services Interface standard, the new HP Print Service On-ramp SDK provides developers with tools to link mobile applications and Web services to HP mobile wireless print solutions. For example, e-services that are created through this SDK can enable businesses and consumers to easily and reliably print emails and attachments, documents, and receipts from handheld devices with the touch of a button via a wireless connection. The HP Commercial Print Submission Manager SDK provides developers with an input path into new HP production automated workflow systems in commercial print shops and HP Indigo Digital Press products. Solutions created with this kit will allow print shops and content providers to use short-run, color print-on-demand and variable data printing technologies for printed marketing collateral such as direct mail, catalogs and brochures. More information about the new SDKs, including pricing and availability, is available at http://www.hpdevelopersolutions.com. Chartered with helping developers create new and innovative e-service solutions for HP printers and the printing industry, the HP IPG Software Developer program currently has more than 470 imaging and printing software developer kits.