EFI and Toshiba Deliver Velocity Workflow Software for High Volume, Multiple Printer Environments; Ideal Workflow Solution For Controlling Color And Black-And-White Digital Printing

Business Wire, March 5, 2002

Business Editors

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 5, 2002

Electronics For Imaging (EFI(R)) (Nasdaq:EFII) today announced it has signed an agreement with Toshiba America Business Solutions (TABS) to distribute EFI's Velocity(TM) workflow software. This software package enables maximum throughput for production printing applications by allowing users to manage their Fiery-connected printing devices as a group and leverage the combined power of their equipment.

The family of Velocity workflow solutions gives users the ability to manage up to ten printers at once, automatically routing jobs to the most efficient device. Velocity lets users print color and black-and-white pages from the same document, simultaneously, using separate printers to effectively manage production time and cost. Job preparation and imposition tools allow users to customize and merge documents from various sources electronically prior to printing. Additional capabilities include detailed printing cost analysis, job estimating and document scanning.

"We are pleased to offer Velocity to our customers, which makes digital printing more powerful, productive and easier to manage," said Rick Taylor, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Business Operations, TABS. "With the ability to manage up to ten devices from one central location, EFI's Velocity workflow software allows environments with more than one print device to distribute their workflow among various devices for more efficient printing," said Taylor.

Velocity software can power any print device equipped with an EFI Fiery(R) controller. Toshiba's e-STUDIO MFP line utilizes the Fiery controllers on its e-STUDIO28, e-STUDIO35, e-STUDIO45, e-STUDIO55, e-STUDIO65 and e-STUDIO80 models, as well as in its FCi color series, on the FC15i/22i and FC25Pi models.

"We are delighted that Toshiba has selected the innovative range of Velocity workflow solutions to meet the increasing productivity needs of its customers," said Frank Mallozzi, Vice President of Worldwide Sales, EFI. "Velocity offers maximum throughput as well as a scalable, consistent interface, delivering a complete, flexible print solution that will bring dramatic improvements in speed and efficiency to Toshiba's customer base."

Perfect for corporate workgroups, print production facilities, quick printers and copy shops, Velocity lets users customize their own specific workflow solution by leveraging four software modules -- Velocity Balance(TM), Velocity Build(TM), Velocity Scan(TM), and Velocity Estimate(TM).

The advanced Velocity Balance module features Dynamic PPD technology that automatically configures to utilize each print engine to its full capabilities. Velocity Balance directs jobs over multiple printers or splits jobs between color and black-and-white printers, dramatically increasing productivity.

Velocity Build(TM) makes the production of precisely imposed documents, such as booklets, brochures and calendars, a breeze with easy-to-use tools for previewing, merging, and editing documents. Velocity Build also includes automated and advanced imposition functions and late PDF editing tools.

Velocity Scan(TM) enables users to scan color and black-and-white documents into the Velocity server using a TWAIN-compliant scanner. Once scanned into the system, documents then can be printed or imported into Velocity Balance(TM) for full job preparation and imposition capabilities.

Print-for-Pay and Corporate Reprographics Department environments will also benefit from the Velocity Estimate(TM) module -- which estimates printing job costs (including estimated toner usage) and calculates end-user customer pricing before the job is printed. This enables print shops to easily price over-the-counter print jobs and provides a more detailed bid analysis on longer print runs.

About Toshiba America Business Solutions

Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (TABS), manages product planning, marketing, sales, service support and distribution of copiers, facsimiles, multifunction printing products, network controllers and toner products throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Irvine, California, TABS comprises four divisions: the Electronic Imaging Division, Toner Products Division, Document Solutions Engineering Division and TOPAC, a subsidiary which operates a network of office equipment dealers.

Named the most favored manufacturer in six of the past seven years by the Business Technology Association (BTA), Toshiba's entire product line, customer support and marketing distribution policies are a marker for the industry. Among the many other awards garnered in recent years, Toshiba was named the "Copier Manufacturer of the Year" by the Marketing Research Consultants (MRC) in 1997, 1998 and 2001 and received the CIO Web Business awards for its leading edge intranet sites in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

TABS is an independent operating company of Toshiba Corp., the fifth largest electronics/electrical equipment company, and the world's 38th largest company in terms of sales. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high technology products with over 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Fiscal year revenue in 2000 was $54 billion.