New Version of EFI Fiery Central Workflow Solution Debuts to Strong Customer Praise

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—June 10, 2008—EFI (NASDAQ: EFII), the world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced the successful debut of the latest version of EFI Fieryâ Central at drupa 2008 (through June 11). Fiery Central, a modular PDF-based production workflow, management and sophisticated make-ready solution, is on display for the first time on the Canon stand (B46, Hall 8A) and the EFI stand (C01, Hall 5). Part of EFI’s Advanced Workstream Solutions, a portfolio of products and services created specifically for solution-driven integration, the new Fiery Central has caught the attention of drupa visitors as a powerful way to increase job volume, decrease turnaround times and maximize equipment investment.

The new version of Fiery Central, coupled with the industry-leading Fiery color digital print server, offers an open, flexible and scalable VDP solution which enables customers to easily develop customized marketing campaigns regardless of their complexity. It supports multiple VDP formats, including the industry standard PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language) and adds three new modules to better manage automated prepress workflows. Fiery Central is ideal for print service providers in medium to high-volume print-on-demand environments, such as corporate reprographic departments (CRD), print for pay, and commercial printers.

“Fiery Central extends the Fiery power familiar to many customers and delivers an extraordinary production workflow solution that optimizes resources and increases production for the faster turns expected in those environments,” said John Henze, Vice President of Marketing, Fiery division, EFI. “It’s exciting to be at drupa and hear praise from attendees about the newly added features, which provide customers even greater flexibility to tailor solutions just right for them. Visitors to the EFI and Canon booths have been particularly impressed with the addition of new modules which allow users to create even more productive workflows.”

“EFI Fiery Central was first integrated with Canon’s high-end production systems earlier this year, and the relationship has successfully enabled our channels to deliver the value expected in an integrated workflow. Our end user customers are realizing the benefits of a consistent ‘look and feel’ since they are accustomed to the Fiery interface. Together these solutions enable our customers to manage their end-to-end digital workflow and enhance productivity, delivering faster turn around and improved ROI for their digital business overall,” said David Preskett, European Marketing Director, Professional Solutions, Canon Europe. “We’re extremely pleased with the customer feedback we’re receiving at drupa about the enhancements in the forthcoming version. We’ve had interested visitors waiting in line at the demo stations to get a first-hand look.”

To address customers’ specific needs and expand as their workflow requirements change, Fiery Central comes in three modular components: Fiery Central Focus, the base module, providing a centralized job management and make-ready solution; Fiery Central Flow, which automates manual tasks and offers advanced digital prepress capabilities; and Fiery Central Balance, which increases productivity by combining multiple devices into a “printer group” for optimized asset utilization.

The new Flow modules are Imposition, Colorproof™ XF and Image Enhance. The Imposition module allows users to select EFI Impose templates and create automated imposition workflows, streamlining operations. The Colorproof XF Task module sends Fiery Central jobs directly to a Colorproof XF driven device for proofing, large-format production and photographic printing. The Image Enhance Task module automatically corrects embedded RGB and CMYK images in PDF files. It is ideal for photo applications or heavy production environments, allowing users to quickly and automatically correct images. The module also allows users to interact with each image individually and apply manual corrections for custom adjustments.

In addition to new modules, Fiery Central ensures an open platform by supporting the non-vendor specific PPML industry standard and other legacy proprietary languages. It readily integrates into existing workflows and provides centralized VDP job management to execute efficiently compelling personalized marketing programs.

With integrated EFI solutions Fiery and Fiery Central, the Print Department Fifth Municipal of Friesland, Tytsjerksteradiel, The Netherlands, increases B&W and color production through workflow automation and intelligent routing of jobs. “The whole process from a digital document to a finished product is much more efficient while quality has increased. We now have flexible, in-house high-value production,” said Rommie van der Laan, Employee Organizational Support.

Fiery Central is part of the Canon Workflow program, comprising Canon and third-party solutions that add value in CRD, Print-for-pay and Commercial print customer environments. This Canon program focuses on key workflows in production printing environments to maximize efficiencies and help printers build and grow a profitable digital print business. Fiery Central represents EFI’s next generation of digital print production workflow technology, leveraging the company’s industry-leading Fiery digital print server technology widely used by Canon customers.

Availability

For more information about European availability of EFI solutions through Canon Europe, please contact your local Canon dealer or speak to Antony White, European Marketing Product Manager, Professional Solutions Strategic Marketing, Canon Europe, Email: Antony.White@canon-europe.com or phone: +44 (0)20 8588 8274. The new advanced Fiery Central will be available in Q3.

About Canon Europa
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for individuals and businesses. A subsidiary of Canon Inc. of Japan, Canon Europa is the operational headquarters for Canon in Europe and is based in Amstelveen, the Netherlands. Canon Europa supports the activities of the entire Canon in Europe organisation, including all the national sales organisations based in countries throughout Europe. The main focus for Canon in Europe business activity is in two clearly defined markets: Business Solutions (developing IT products, solutions and services for both the office and professional print environments) and Consumer Imaging (Input solutions: photography, video and digital camera; and Output solutions: Bubble Jet Printers). Canon Europa employs almost 500 people in Amsterdam.

Further information about Canon Europa is available at: www.canon-europa.com

About EFI
EFI (www.efi.com) is the world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation. EFI’s award-winning solutions, integrated from creation to print, deliver increased performance, cost savings and productivity. The company’s robust product portfolio includes Fiery® digital color print servers; VUTEk® superwide digital inkjet printers, UV and solvent inks; Jetrion® industrial inkjet printing systems; print production workflow and management information software; and corporate printing solutions. EFI maintains 26 offices worldwide.