Adobe Systems

SAN JOSE, CA—It took a few weeks to sink in, but the printing industry is finally lashing out against Adobe. Printing associations and a digital user’s group reacted angrily toward Adobe’s June 6 announcement that it would incorporate a “send to FedEx Kinko’s” command in its Acrobat 8.1 application. As a result, Adobe has agreed to meet with several organizations and has scheduled a special forum for July 17 to address the concerns. The PIA/GATF, noting Adobe’s contributions in transforming the printing process from an analog to a digital workflow—enhancing graphic communications while putting millions of bucks in Adobe’s coffers—said the move “insults industry loyalty.” Michael

PITTSBURGH—July 2, 2007—PIA/GATF has always viewed Adobe as a company that offers high-impact digital solutions to the entire print community. Over the years, their products and services have transformed the printing process from an analog to a digital workflow. This partnership between Adobe and the printing industry has resulted in not only significant improvements to graphic communications, but also millions of dollars for Adobe. Despite this positive and loyal relationship, it was disappointing to learn of Adobe’s partnership with FedEx Kinko’s. “When it was discovered that Adobe had made the decision to include a ‘send to FedEx Kinko’s’ button in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader,

PARAMUS, NJ—JUNE 27, 2007 – On behalf of the members of The NAPL Network, Joseph P. Truncale, president and chief executive officer of NAPL (www.napl.org), the trade association for excellence in graphic communications management, and Steve Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Quick Printers (NAQP), sent a letter to Adobe Systems, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Bruce Chizen expressing their concern over a recently announced agreement between Adobe and FedEx Kinko’s in which the newest versions of Adobe® Reader and Adobe Acrobat® software feature an embedded connection to FedEx Kinko’s PrintOnline application. The views in the letter

When in Rome. . .Do as the Printers ROME—There’s been a marked increase in the number of vendor-specific industry events—mini trade shows, open houses and road shows—held in recent years. They provide stages (some even international) for new product introductions and briefings on how these companies see the state of affairs. HP recently brought hundreds of customers, press people and analysts from around the world to Rome during the run of its 2007 Graphic Arts Summit. Highlights included the introduction of two new seven-color HP Indigo press models (5500 and 3500), a near-line UV coater and a large-format printer targeted to print service providers

SEWICKLEY, PA—PIA/GATF will be taking its Mission:Possible seminar back on the road this spring to help designers and printers learn what they can do together to make the production process more efficient. Mission:Possible—A Mutual Strategy for Creatives and Printers addresses the issues between creative and prepress teams that can result in frustration and unsatisfactory performance. The seminars cover everything from design considerations for print and color communication to soft proofing. The eight-city tour starts May 22 in Charlotte, and continues to Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, Vancouver, and New York, ending on June 28 in Atlanta. Information on dates and meeting

HP Indigo Press Users Get the Scoop TAMPA, FL—There were no signs of the terrible twos or growing pains at the 2007 Dscoop Annual Conference, just the second users meeting for this group of HP Indigo press owners. Total registration was nearly double that of the inaugural event last year. A greater focus on the packaging and label printing market segments contributed to a spike in attendance to around 750 people. The keynote address by NFL Hall of Fame Coach Marv Levy kicked off the conference sessions. Levy used anecdotes from his coaching days to relate his philosophies on people management and motivation. Following

PODi Forum To Explore Success Variables ANAHEIM, CA—Strategies for success in variable data marketing and case studies of companies that have put them into practice will be featured at the 2007 Application Forum organized by PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative. The event, scheduled to be held February 12-14 at the Hilton Anaheim, will feature several head-liners. With an analysis of the state of the industry as a lead-in, PODi President Rab Govil will explore key differences between a solution and a product. Attendees will learn how to choose which variable data marketing solution to offer and how to build it, along with gaining insights into the

THE FIFTH annual PIA/GATF Variable Data and Personalization Conference, held November 12-14 in Phoenix, will feature more than two days of sessions to help companies advance their capabilities. This special supplement has been designed to highlight some of the key conference topics and speakers. Attendees will hear case studies from the Canadian Conservative Party and Move.com that provide a behind-the-scenes look at effective uses of VDP. Three separate tracks, a total of 21 sessions, are being offered. Management sessions will include: Building an Efficient Cost/Financial Model; Liability/Security Issues; Managing a Multimedia Company; Transitioning from Transactional to Marketing; as well as Profiting from Digital

Quark Out to Make Seven a Lucky Number NEW YORK CITY—Competition is said to be a good thing. To the extent that’s true, these are great days for users of page layout software. Quark Inc. clearly has been tested by Adobe Systems’ challenge to its once near monopolistic position in the graphic arts market. It is responding technologically with the release of QuarkXPress 7 and offering inducements for users to upgrade, thereby keeping them in the fold. Most of the enhancements are targeted to the design community, naturally, but the company insists it kept an eye toward print service providers (PSPs) during development

SEWICKLEY, PA—The Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation has selected 11 technologies to receive 2006 PIA/GATF InterTech Technology awards. The winners will receive the Lucite InterTech stars during the competition’s annual luncheon at the fall administrative meetings, held November 9-12 in Milwaukee. The 2006 InterTech recipients, in alphabetical order with the technology listed first, include: Adobe PDF print engine, Adobe Systems; Microsystems Microcip software module, C&P Microsystems; Dalim Mistral, Dalim Software; WebCenter, Esko-Graphics; Magnum ink formulation dispenser, GFI Innovations; Zero-slip nip enhancement, Goss International Americas; KBA Genius 52 UV sheetfed offset press, KBA North America; InlineFoiler, MAN Roland; DeskDirect, PrintSoft; Liberty sheetfed inks, Sun Chemical;