Newsfront

Print Action, Jul 2004

XEROX' DOCUSHARE ENTERPRISE CONTENT MANAGEMENT software is being used by NASA to collect information from the two Mars rovers, Opportunity and Spirit, currently exploring the red planet and mining huge amounts of data. The DocuShare system is a vast online library for more than 1,000 scientists, engineers and team members to simultaneously access NASA Jet Propulsion Lab's more than 100,000 files and 100 gigabytes of organized mission data. Xerox is the latest in a string of companies to claim involvement in one of the world's great technological achievements.

THE RAIDERS, a book by S.R. Crockett, was returned to the Calgary Public Library almost 100 years after being borrowed by a family moving West in the 189Os. An Edmonton man acquired the book some 25 years ago, after the death of his uncle, according to a news report from the Canadian Press. The Calgary Public Library waived what would have been an approximately $3,000 fine an Edmonton man could have paid for returning a book that was almost 100 years overdue. The book is displayed at Calgary's W.R. Castell branch.

STEVE JOBS' keynote address at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference was scheduled to include a preview of Tiger, the next major release of Mac OS X. Rumor has it that the enhanced operating system will have more web services built around its .Mac online services environment. IDC, a advisory firm for the communications industry, reported that as Apple's share in the PC market has dropped to 2.8 per cent from 4 per cent, the company's surging stock prices have more to do with its music prospects and not the Mac.

MAN ROLAND will collaborate with Xaar to develop digital inkjet systems for coating applications to be used in traditional offset printing presses and MAN Roland's DICOweb press. The companies believe hybrid digital/analogue printing solutions have a major role to play in the future, as Xaar's Nigel Berry stated, "In our 2003 Annual Report we communicated our belief that digital inkjet printing complements traditional printing methods and brings added value to the end-user of hybrid printing solutions."

VINCE HOCKETT stepped down as the president and chief executive officer of Montreal-based Invesprint Corporation to become the general manager of its Napa, California facility. The company also announced that Leland Verner, a current director and former chairman and CEO of Invesprint from 1994 to 2001, has been named acting president and CEO on an interim basis - as they search for a permanent replacement.

JASON WALMSLEY and Rick Gargano stand by the new Violet Luxel Vx-6000 CTP installed at Interprovincial Printing Ltd. The Scarborough-based company has also installed a new a Fuji Celebrant RIP and an Epson 10600 proofer. Founded in 1968, Interprovincial Printing - together with its sister company Interpro Mailings - has been focusing on innovative marketing solutions, particularly the direct-mail market. Interprovincial's services include prepress, computerized press scheduling, sheetfed printing, varnishing and coating, bindery, cutting and folding, microperfing and saddle-stitching.

RAY ROPER passed away last month after suffering a heart attack. Roper became the president of the Printing Industry Association in 1987 and is widely recognized for bringing a strong business sense, leading to today's powerful success of the association. He continued as president until 2002, and oversaw the PIA's merger with the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, as well as the launch of the gain.org website, the formation of the Digital Printing Council and the E-business council.

YASMIN RATTANSI, branch owner and manager of Sherwood Digital Copy & Print, stands in front of Central Canada's first Xerox DocuTech 120 Copier/ Printer. The Mississauga, Ontario business plans to use the recently launched DocuTech 120 to expand into variable-data printing. In the last three years, Sherwood's 14 branches in the Greater Toronto Area have moved toward a Xerox digital printing technology.

AGFA has developed what it calls a Colour Management Consultancy Expert Service, as many vendors are beginning to shift their revenue focus toward consulting services, presumably preparing for a decrease in hardware sales and consumables sales. Agfa's new consultancy service will analyze the entire flow of image files from initial delivery to the printed result. The consultants provide practical guidelines for standardizing and optimizing colour accuracy and consistency throughout the production process.

HEMLOCK PRINTERS LTD. welcomed Janet Speer and her 24 years of experience in the prepress and printing industry. Speer will work out of the company's Vancouver office and focus on the sale of high-quality sheetfed printing for a variety of markets. Hemlock offers what it calls an integrated disk-to-distribution service, which includes in-house colour separations, prepress, Creo direct-to-plate and Prinergy workflow, eight Heidelberg Speedmaster presses, bindery and distribution.

SUN CHEMICAL, the world's largest manufacturer of printing inks and pigments, acquired 100 per cent of the shares of Rycoline Incorporated, as part of its strategy to provide total solutions to the printing industry. Rycoline produces its products under the Rycoline, Sun Graphic and Rogersol brands, including fountain solutions, blanket and roller washes, silicone and silicone replacement products, overprint coatings, printing blankets and a line of miscellaneous products from aerosols to anti-static products.