| Pageflex and NAPC Announce Strategic
Partnership Mpower software meets Xinet-based integrated systems to create new solutions for template-driven variable-data publishing CAMBRIDGE, MA and Waltham, MA — October 22, 2002 — Pageflex (NASDAQ: BITS), a pioneer and leader of Web-top publishing, the next wave of technology to follow desktop publishing, and NAPC of Waltham, MA, providers of integrated XinetT production systems for the graphic arts industry, today announced an agreement to sell solutions based on NAPC products and services and Pageflex Mpower and Mpower software. Mpower is an enterprise software solution for such business publishing applications as Web-to-print services, localized advertising, and personalized direct mail. The Mpower composition engine uses flexible design templates with spring-loaded text and image containers that dynamically adjust page layout based on the size and shape of the variable content flowing into them. Mpower lets end-users interactively modify templates within limitations set by professional designers and view their changes instantly, using only the familiar interface of their Web browser. NAPC collaborates with clients to architect, build, and deliver graphic arts systems using several Xinet products, including FullPress, a server-based open prepress interface (OPI) solution that provides a file server for Macintosh and PC users, an ICC color conversion engine, and an automated output system for Postscript, PDF, and TIFF/IT. WebNativeT provides a browser-based view of 30 file types to enable asset management, with a real-time HTML interface to the production file system to enable remote collaboration among users and customers. WebNative Venture adds a real-time SQL database that is open database connectivity (ODBC)-compliant and fully customizable. NAPC integrates systems with SGI IRIX, Sun Solaris, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows 2000 operating systems and storage and network components designed for production environments. Pageflex and NAPC plan collaborative dynamic publishing solutions that cross-pollinate their diverse areas of expertise. In a joint workflow demonstrated last month, the Xinet OPI server manages high-resolution images in several formats not supported by Mpower alone, for example PSD Photoshop files. The low-resolution equivalents are placed by simple drag-and-drop from the Web browser into QuarkXPress and Adobe InDesign, and into Mpower through the Pageflex DesignOut plug-in. Mpower makes it possible to merge variable content dynamically with the existing template to produce a series of unique documents customized for specific audiences. In the combined solution Mpower outputs the completed documents for proofing with the low-resolution images, which Xinet OPI-swaps for high-resolution images at production time. This solution extends the reach of Mpower to a large number of new image formats and enables corporations and print providers to tap into the templating power of Pageflex in order to streamline their workflows. The well-integrated joint system becomes virtually plug and play - a big win for NAPC systems integration clients across the graphics arts and printing fields. Pageflex General Manager David Frenkel says, "NAPC has expertise in deploying industry-leading solutions for the graphic arts and advertising agencies. With Pageflex software, they will offer customers world-class solutions for versioning advertising and collateral, plus variable-data, one-to-one marketing campaigns." "We have been fans of Pageflex Mpower for several years now, and we find that its approach blends extremely well with our Xinet strategy," adds NAPC President Robert Steinberg. "By combining our Macintosh expertise with the Windows expertise at Pageflex, our companies can create rewarding new opportunities in dynamic publishing. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership that maximizes the match between NAPC client needs and Xinet, Mpower, and Mpower technologies." About
Pageflex software is used for a wide variety of applications, including on-demand marketing materials, stationery and business cards, advertising, catalogs, and personalized digital printing. Pageflex products are distributed through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), value-added resellers (VARs), applications service providers (ASPs), and system integrators (SIs). The Pageflex worldwide customer base includes manufacturers, service providers, advertising agencies, commercial printers, graphic design houses and ASPs. Users of Pageflex products include Xerox, IBM, Ford,EFI, Coldwell Banker, Wunderman, Mail-Well, httprint, and Spire. The Company was established in 1999 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bitstream Inc. (NASDAQ: BITS, www.bitstream.com). What makes Pageflex software different from all other composition systems? Desktop publishing requires users to install expensive software and master superior design techniques. With Web-top publishing, even beginners can turn out high-quality printed products, without installing or learning any new software, by using Pageflex intelligent and flexible templates. Unlike ordinary templates, these have sophisticated built-in rules that offer users a wide range of options to change graphics and text while preventing them from making design blunders. Executives and designers can relax, knowing that a remote branch can generate local content without corrupting the corporate brand and identity. © 2004 Bitstream is a trademark of Bitstream Inc. The Pageflex logo, Mpower, .EDIT, Pageflex, and Persona are trademarks of Pageflex NAPC is a trademark of NAPC. All other trademarks are for identification purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners. Contact
|